“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
Can you believe June is just a couple of days away? We are already half way through 2018. How is it possible?
I was in yoga this morning, thinking about my word of the year, which is COMMITMENT. I was thinking how it has impacted these past six months. It is what keeps me going back to my mat every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I keep thinking to myself, “I wonder how much sticking to this one routine will impact me physically at the end of the year?”
I can honestly say it’s the longest I have ever stuck with a regular workout routine in my life. As I dove down into my forward fold this morning I realized my fingers were touching the mat and my legs were straight. I couldn’t do that six months ago. I also couldn’t do a slow push up, or chatarunga in yoga terminology, without belly flopping. Now I can. I can actually slowly lower my entire body to the floor without just plopping. It is all because of my word for the year…COMMITMENT.
For the past six months I’ve done one class at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. As a result I am stronger, more flexible and in better shape than I think I have ever been. I am more relaxed and I think I’m handling stress better, although my husband is the one who should answer that particular question.
I definitely feel more connected to God. There is this one pose we do in yoga at the end of class. You’re laying on your back, arms stretched out wide, legs straight up in the air. It is the most empowering position for me. I always pray the same simple prayer, “Fill me up Lord, fill me up!” I just imagine His Spirit pouring into me, invigorating me, preparing me for the day ahead. It has become my favorite moment of the one hour class.
Thinking about my word of the year made me realize it was time to check in with my goals for the year. Keeping them in the forefront of my mind helps me accomplish them. It helps me implement them into my life.
Just as a reminder, these are what mine are for this year:
My goals for 2018:
Spiritual: Praying over my calendar on Monday mornings. Finding and completing a domestic mission trip.
Physical: Continue my two classes a week minimum. Increase cardio workouts to 5-6 times a week. (Cardio meaning walking, biking, zumba etc.)
Financial: Come in on budget personally each month.
Writing: Write a blog weekly.
If I were to recap where I am at this point I would describe it in this one sentence. I have gone from thinking of them as goals to having made them a part of my life.
Praying over my calendar has become my favorite part of Monday (or sometimes Sunday afternoons). I love looking over my calendar for the week ahead and seeing what is before me. I love thanking God for giving me another week. For giving me divine assignments and tasks to complete. I love knowing He is going before me and preparing the way. Most important, I love knowing it is all covered in prayer before the week even starts.
I think I already covered the physical. The one thing I’ve changed is my cardio routine. I have bursitis in my achilles. Definitely on the mend, but it was from over use playing tennis and walking. Obviously the yoga is helping heal it. I have switched to bike riding. My most recent implementation is doing 20 minutes on the stationary bike as soon as I roll out of bed. I get it done before I even know what is happening. Better than a cup of coffee.
Financially, I have to confess, I almost didn’t make it on budget this month. I was $59 over and I had tapped out my resources. God is good though. He provided as He always does. I not only came in on budget but have extra in my account. Just love how He always provides!
Writing my blog is going well. The most exciting part of my writing is God has brought together a writing group for me. I’m part of a group of amazing writer’s, all women who are meeting once a month to encourage and uplift each other. It is so incredible to meet with them and share my passion. They have spurred me on in ways I couldn’t of imagined.
Still have to do a domestic mission trip. Haven’t lined anything up yet. Considering I only have 6 months left of the year, I need to get working on it.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
My verse of the year. I can honestly say, letting God be the cruise director of my life this year is phenomenal. I would much rather be walking on water with Him than sitting in the boat trying to steer it myself.
How’s your year going? Already half way there. Time and tide wait for no one.