I don’t do New Year resolutions and haven’t for quite some time. And yet here I am going to post a list of things that I’d like to either achieve, work on or try. But don’t be fooled into thinking it has anything to do with the New Year. It’s just timing. We’ve had our tree-change. A major family crisis also happened. One that has affected both John and I physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially and in any other way that I can’t think of how to express. You’ll have to stay tuned into future posts for more information on that one.
I miss reading books
I read all day. Online. It’s not the same. Even great blog posts don’t simmer in my mind as much as reading a whole book. I want to read more books.
I started a new novel yesterday and even though I’ve wanted to read it for a few years, it just didn’t hold my interest. But I’ll persevere a little longer. What did catch my eye was an autobiography. So I paid $1.99 for it and downloaded it to my Kindle app. That’s a start.But I’m very far away from what I used to read – I’d have at least three different types of books on the go at any given time.
I miss music
I’m not sure why music took a back seat but I want to listen to a wide variety of music again. I’m happy to listen to Giggle & Hoot but I also want some more Paul Wilbur, Enya, LOTR soundtrack, Paul Potts, Transiberian Orchestra, Classical and more! Pandora has been helpful and I will use it more each morning.
I want to write more
I am committed to only sharing my story and not that of my kids. And that doesn’t always leave a lot for me to say because our lives are so intertwined and it’s hard for me to write my story, from my perspective without intruding on their privacy. Whilst that is tricky, it’s not insurmountable. I used to write a lot, even when I homeschooled all four children and had a small business. This 500 Word Challenge is my way of starting to write more.
I want to exercise
Even just a little. Enough said.
My list is not very spiritual, is it? Read the Bible more, pray more, visit the sick, feed the poor, etc. are all things we should desire to do – borne out of relationship with Our Father. I have never put them on such lists.
Love your list ~ & especially your choice of music but I know why it went from my life. I crave silence! I have so much noise in my life that however beautiful, inspiring, interesting it may be I do not need more noise. I need more silence wherein which to hear more from God. It is a struggle. I have a house of talkers.
Oh, I do relate to desiring that quiet, the lack of noise. And yet I miss how music touches a place in my heart and makes me *feel*. As my kids have left home and there are less people in the house I am having a little more quietness.
Susan, I beg to differ, your list is very spiritual and Biblical. Full of the things which are unique to human beings who are made in the image of God. Reading, means using the intellect God gave you for learning and the imagination he gave you for relaxation. Music, another gift from God for our enjoyment, emotional fulfillment and for worshiping him. Miles and I were listening to the radio in the car while we were away and the song we danced to at our wedding came on. I can’t think of a better example of how music can evoke feelings. Writing, communication of course, is at the heart of relationship and our relationships with people are second only in importance to our relationship with God. Last, but not least exercise, desiring to take care of the body God gave you. All precious and necessary for our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health and without that , how can we feed the poor, visit the sick etc effectively? I am so glad you make the time to share and I love you lots 🙂
Oh Jenny, you are always so full of encouragement and sage words. You are right. I guess my list is full of nurturing activities – and that’s what I need right now.
I think that is a pretty good list 🙂
I can relate to a few things myself. Do you know that I have hardly read a book in the past six years? Tell a lie, I read a book last year “The Crimson Petal and The White” but it took me a whole twelve months to finish it! What happened to the woman who used to devour a book in less than a week? I tell you what happened to her……….the iPhone~ it is permanently attached to the end of my nose. It has a strange hold over me. I can’t seem to go anywhere without it. Not good 🙁 I even bought a kindle thinking I would read more books but the only fun I had was downloading the books and they all remain unread. It is that obsessive collecting problem I have. Hoarding I think they call it. I might star on the show one day.
And since I updated to the iPhone 5 I never listen to music any more. I used to have a docking station that I would keep in the kitchen and all my music was loaded on to my phone. When I updated my phone my husband took my old phone and deleted all the music~~~ what was he thinking? Anyway, I need a new docking station so that I can listen to music again. I love instrumental worship lately. I must be getting old.
Sorry to hear about the family crisis. I do hope that things are o.k. I keep telling God that I’m pretty sure that I’ve learned all my lessons and become a much better person than I used to be so could he please give the trials to other people. I don’t think I’ll get away with it though…………xx
I hear you. Reading books is a dying art even amongst our age group! I don’t use CD’s or even downloaded music anymore – Pandora radio station is far better. 😀
A great list! Are you still home schooling or are all yours finished?
Falcon is 16.5yrs and will be doing Yr11 this year as a homeschooled student. He’ll be doing a mixture of things, including a TAFE course. I also have an 8month old baby in the house for an undetermined amount of time. And homeschooling is a natural extension of parenting – begins from birth! 😉