photo&essay extravanganza

I think I've decided what to do around here for the next little bit. I saw this photo challenge list the other day on pinterest and it caught my eye... but I don't want to do a thirty day photo challenge. I don't want to just find another angle or subject to try and clear the inspirationless cobwebs in my head. I want to write. I want to think. I want to look around. But not just for the sake of looking.

I've moved to a new home. Okay, we all know that.

It's hard. I feel the dryness and the forlorn attitude that is starting to creep in because things are different here, and maybe a little more difficult. The sun doesn't shine very much, for one thing.

We've moved, it's hard, but I know this is where we are supposed to be. I'd love to be able to jump in and do all the things I was doing before and beginning to enjoy so much. I'd really love to be able to walk around and photograph this city like I was hired by National Geographic or something. I'd love to write a book and have it drip off my fingertips instead of having to fight fatigue, or all the other tasks that end up filling my day. I say these things to myself a little too much lately. Then I remember (or my better half reminds me) wait, this is my life. And it is good. It is given. I can already see the good work He is doing in my heart.

So yes, it's a little slumpy around here right now. Maybe I can't write about the things I think I should, that reflect China or our life here or who knows what else. Maybe my pictures are not forthcoming. But these are the days given to me, in my hands like putty, poured out with grace, though I may not be accepting it or willing to take it in it's given form. But who wants to be like that? I don't. I'm asking for help. I always need help.

I'm not sure all of what I need to do, maybe just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Maybe drink more soothing beverages. Pray. But today I did think of one idea that sort of excited me, at least in the areas that tend to refresh and inspire me. Why not instead of just doing a photo challenge, or a series of writing prompts, combine the two? I could make a list of subjects- similar to the photo challenge above, and take a photo. But the really fun part would be to use that photo to prompt an essay. Not a journal entry, but an actual essay. One that makes you think of a theme, or leads into a memory, or rehearses a train of thought that in the end may reveal or teach you something.

That all sounds maybe a little too profound and important. There is no guarantee anything interesting of the sort will happen. But it would be fun (for me anyway) to try. It would give me some parameters, a backbone of sorts to build off of. And I like the idea of the writing especially, because that is often where the heart and soul work really grinds itself out, instead of just trying to take interesting photos.

I think I just may try it. A list of fifteen things. It doesn't have to be every day, though I'll try to be consistent about it. I cooked up a little list so I could be all fancy and serious about it, and mostly because I just think it's fun to do such things. Of course that means you'll know what's coming... but it also means you could do it too.

Days of Gray :: 2 {coffee dreaming}

To be with a friend,

to have coffee,

 to eat a bagel at the one place in town (country?) where this is possible...

 The first, by itself is pleasure enough.

The second, only adds to the first.

 The third, I don't put on my list of "necessities,"

 and if you put any but the first on yours...

 I guess you could put yourself squarely in the wealthy column, yes?

 but it is definitely a treat I enjoy.

Another treat for today was a new blog I found called Coffee Served Daily, which is a quest for 1000 pictures of coffee...and today and tomorrow she's featuring some of my photos! 

Also check out this creative remake of the Mona Lisa, created by using nearly 4,000 cups of coffee.

(If you have photos you want to share, check out the website for contact information.) 

Days of Gray is a good exercise for me personally, but anyone is welcome to join in.

Yesterday I enjoyed reading a few other takes on the challenge:

Her cooking was inspiring... almost feel like roasting one of those nangua myself.

Daffodils in the parking lot on a rainy day... we've all been there!

I also created a flickr pool called Days of Gray, where anyone is welcome to join and add their own photos.

There are no rules for involvement here. You can simply, on your own do whatever exercises help you look around your world and see beyond the gray (though I'd love to share in the viewing and conversation if you want to be a part of it), or link up here as often or as little as you like.

If you want to share, just leave a comment on the most recent post, and include a link to your flickr site or blog. I'd love to pop over for a visit. Also feel free to grab a button code over in the left column.

Days of Gray Photo Challenge

It was almost exactly one year ago that this picture was taken, as a part of Erin's photo project during those long months of Feb/Mar, to find beauty for 30 straight days. This morning there happened to be a lemon in my kitchen and it reminded me, as it sat there all fresh and sparkling in the light, of how much I enjoy those kinds of projects.

This time of year in particular, with or without the addition of difficult life circumstances, it can be hard to keep your head up. The holiday celebrations have subsided, winter has been carrying on for quite some time (in the northern hemisphere anyway), and the landscapes seem to have lost their wonderland-like luster. Instead, this final march toward spring can start to feel like an endless dragging on of gray days.

Yet, lurking beneath all this doldrumness, there is an unseen source of life waiting to show it's hopeful face. And if we are willing to look, to see, there is always evidence of it.
I know that can sound a bit abstract and vague-- but I do believe nature in all of its physical wonder reflects spiritual realities that are just as true and sure. This picture and its caption, taken by my sister-in-law, is a perfect example of that partnership.

Having said that, I realize it is a bit "vogue" to pursue living in the moment, or to see goodness in the ordinary, and there are definitely some truths to those sentiments. We all know it is easier to write about than to actually do however, and sometimes you need to see a bit further than just the moment you are in. You sort of need near and far sightedness at the same time. I need to appreciate the ordinary, but just as often I need the awe of the transcendent.
The past couple days I've been musing on something I read about cynicism. One idea in particular was that we can tend to be either people with a naive optimism (hoping- but in nothing of substance or reality, kind of like hoping because hope itself is beneficial) or cynics who, "seeing through everything" (as cynics do) end up seeing nothing at all.

Instead, this writer called us to be People of Hope- living in the tension of Hoping in someone Real and Good, while seeing the realities of this fallen world. One of the several ways he offered to combat the poison of cynicism was to choose to see God working instead of despairing or explaining it all away. Another way was to cultivate a spirit of Thanksgiving.

In the spirit of those ideas, and because at this specific time of the seasonal cycle I have a personal need to be challenged to see and to give thanks, I am going to use these next 25 days until Lent begins to document some of the daily goodness I am attending to with a lens. There are other ways I'll be trying to do it as well, but the one I will share online here for the most part will be in photos and maybe a smattering of words here and there.

There are multiple mediums that seem to help me see past the shadows of this world and the blindness of my own eyes and heart. One way is photography, another is writing, or serving others, praying, washing dishes, even running. Are there activities or mediums that help you? I invite you, if you feel anything similar to what I do at this time of year (or time of life) to join me in this 26 day long challenge. I'd love to hear your comments, read your emails, or simply view something you have to share (feel free to leave a link in the comments).

Thanks again to Erin for the original idea.
I'm calling this one... Days of Gray {a winter photo challenge}

if you'd like a button, grab one on the left

Coon Hounds are Tear Jerkers

I started weeping tonight about coon hounds. I'm thinking either this means I have a secret longing to get me some dogs and hunt in the river bottoms of Kentucky, or it's a really well-written book that touches on the emotions and yearnings of life we all deal with, or there is something seriously wrong with me. I was sitting on the boy's bed, one little arm slung over my shoulder, another little body sliding constantly off the mattress and onto the floor at my right, and there I was, voice trembling, trying to gain composure but eventually losing it as tears poured down my face and I lost all sense of who or what was around me outside of the story of this sweet boy and his years of hard work saving money to buy the coon hounds he so desperately wanted.

This seems to happen with some regularity in my life, this weeping and tearing up over any and all kinds of things. I sensed a change after the first time I got pregnant. It was like the floodgates had opened, and little did I realize they would never again in fact be allowed to close. I also realize I am not the bubbliest girl on the block. I tend to look at things through a pretty melancholy screen. It's hazy in here. If you hadn't noticed. So, it may not come as a surprise that I deal pretty regularly with the doldrums. But deal with them I do and though others may find it easier to see life as generally pretty uplifting and charming, this doldrum-dealing has been my particular lot.

My husband read a passage to me this morning from Les Miserables... it was a beautiful description of the contrast between a poor and rich man's perspective on life. The rich man, having much to occupy the "lesser portions of his brain" in amusements, etc. is little moved to think on things beyond himself. The poor man however, spending most of his time working to earn what little he has, is then left with nothing but the earth, the heavens, and humanity around him to turn his mind to. I listened, and wondered. Is much of my bummed-out thinking a result of having too much?

Then yesterday, I ran along the water's edge, listening to a panel discussion from Kindling's Muse on the exodus of Canadian young people from the church. At one point, a panelist mentioned that the culture is informing the message taught in many of these youth groups, rather than the other way around. The message in particular being that God is your Friend and just wants you to be happy. I thought about how I know this danger. But, in spite of all my knowing, I wonder if I too really think this most of the time. My dissatisfaction lately, my unrest and frustrated spirit, could it be because I too sit around thinking about all that I don't have and all that I think will make me happier... and I expect Him to give it to me?

I don't really want coon hounds. But whatever they are, these things that give me unrest, they make my gaze flit here and there and everywhere but here, where I am. They make me shifty, uncomfortable in my skin in this place, unwilling to sit very long and smile at the people around me. They make me worry about future days, days I have no business thinking about or planning as though I were the potter, and not just the spinning, whirring, dizzy and dazed clay.

So, I'm not really sure what the exact reasons are that I always get in scraps with this big brute, this bully Discontent that kicks me around here and there when I think I'm getting along so nicely. I suspect it is many things, some mentioned above and some I either haven't perceived or He has mercifully kept disclosed for now (never more than you can bear, you know).

The thing now is to kick back. That being said, I hope you don't mind if I use this space to practice a little exercise. There have been many who have gone before me in this and have done it much more eloquently or with perhaps greater transparency, but I will simply try to keep myself accountable by posting here, for a little while at least, a list of daily thanks for things whether small or even smaller. An attempt to, if nothing else as I wait and ask for the haze to lift and my gaze to clear up, look for what is given instead of what is not.

knitting my head around it

My mother tried. She really did. There were machine threading tutorials in elementary school, simple clothing projects in middle school, and countless times when she willingly took over a project I started, and never finished. She tried with all her maternal powers to instill in me the skills and desire to craft and create masterpieces of textile and thread out of my own bare hands... but to no avail. I just simply hated it. I liked the idea of the end product, but had no patience for the process.

Now here I am, thirty years old and wanting to reform my wanderlust ways. To make it worse, I have stumbled across a wicked web of ridiculously gifted and crafty women who will leave you with enough inspiration to knit , sew , photograph, cook, craft, and write for a lifetime. It's out of control how much talent and creativity they have oozing out of their every blogpost.

This desire to become more of a handmade homemaker comes at a time when my resources to do so are more limited than ever. Is that ironic or is there some sort of lesson I'm destined to learn here? And if you know me at all, these "little" questions always lead me skipping, dare I even say galloping at breakneck speed down the path to the BIGGER questions of life. What is my problem? I cannot simply let something bother me like any normal person would. No, it has to PLAGUE my brain to the point of unraveling as I try to resolve all of life's deepest issues, all because of one little thing like not being able to plant a garden, or buy some knitting needles.

It first occurred to me that perhaps there was more to this issue of "wanting to learn to knit" than I realized when I found myself nearly breaking down in tears while reading some of the above mentioned blogs. Who does that? They are supposed to helpful and fun. But, I was really struggling with envy at the lifestyles these women are able to lead and the kind of homes, resources, creative talents, and family lives they have. It forced me to a) stop reading so many blogs, and b) question and think through (for the __nth time... I mean,  how often do most people have to do this??) what my ultimate purpose in life is and why I believe God has our family here, in this place, doing what we do.

When we moved overseas, people would often comment on what an opportunity this was for our children-- to be exposed to another culture and language, etc. etc. I appreciated their sentiments, but it was never the reason we left. And it continues not to be the reason we remain. The phrase "there is no ideal place to raise a family" has gently encouraged me time and time again as I try to remember that though my children miss out on many things here (grass comes to mind), they gain much in return. The same however is true for what they might gain... there are always things we are sacrificing or doing without (bonfires, grandparents, gardening, sledding... lately the list grows long). Sometimes it really bothers me to think of the kind of life we could be (trying) to live back in the States and how little of that we are able to do here. But as my dear friend Jack Lewis says, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither."

Are you wondering what all this has to do with knitting? I'm painfully trying to get there.

The crazy talented photographer lady (above) calls her site walkslowlylivewildly, which led me to try to think of a succint little phrase that wraps up how we should aim at heaven, while not neglecting this earth. thinknearlivefar? livefullylovew(holy)? Hokey, I know. Thinking through this has been a serious challenge to my inner thought life and how much I do wrap my contentment around this present world. I'm all for living well, and living gratefully and responsibly in the bodies and environment God has given, but I think I'm missing a dose of the eternal perspective lately... the one that says this world IS passing away and that our Highest Joy and joys will be found in the One to come. As Elisabeth Elliot says, if you place your (whatever it is) in his hands as an offering to him... it may burn- but it knows no bounds when in the Potter's perfect hands.

Meanwhile, I knit. It's okay I think, to try to challenge myself with a new project or skill. I'm hopeful that I can somehow tread back over years of ungrateful tutelage and somehow recover some handcrafting skills. But, I'm also growing mindful of my need to think and dwell more on the place and Person I'm heading home to be with someday. Like a Daddy who's missing his girl, I know He has things for me to do (and enjoy) while He's away, but I'll never be truly at home til I'm knitting with Him.

My final January Challenge was supposed to be picking some sort of new skill to learn, but now I'm not sure exactly what that skill is. There appear to be many, both physically and mentally that I am lacking! Hope you are finding your skills (or lack thereof) challenged, whatever they may be...

Generosity Killed the Brat

It's a play off of "curiosity killed the cat," in case you didn't get it. Insert "generosity" where "curiosity" would normally go, and insert "brat" (that would be me) for the cat. Are you following? It took me a long time to think of that title. I just wanted to make sure you were with me.

It's already the fourth weekend of January 2010. Way back when , I said I was going to do a sort of "New Year Challenge" on each of the 5 weekends in January... primarily for the most avid reader of this blog-- that would be me. So, here we are at week #4 and I feel a small recap is in order.

• We're boycotting hydrogenated corn syrup in the form of liquid beverage, namely SODA or POP. 
• We're running (yay for all my friends who are braving it out in the winter cold and especially that special someone- you know who you are-- who is now at 6.5 minutes without stopping!).
• We're going out with (I mean reading) C.S. Lewis.
  

This week I take you into my own personal confession box. Don't worry, I will leave the door open pretty wide  and won't keep you in here for long ever. I'm not even sure why I am writing about this on the world wide web instead of somewhere a bit safer like, I don't know, a JOURNAL. But, maybe I think this will keep me honest, accountable, or self-conscious, you pick. When I explained to my 3 year old today that God could hear him wherever he is, even the thoughts inside his own curly little head, he looked at me aghast (as though this was the first time he had ever heard it... when we've surely gone over it probably a million times). Maybe I'm having a bit of my son's "are you SURE he knows?" syndrome and am hoping God has me on his blog reader. Is that sacrilegious? I don't really think He has a blog reader. I do seriously need his help though, and here's why...

I am not generous. There, I said it. For all of you whom I have fooled and who think I like to give, give, give (is there anyone who thinks that? hello? helloo?), you were wrong. This is not, however, something I am proud of or am hoping to continue as a lifelong habit until the day I am a crotchety, stingy (but extremely tall) old woman. I want to change. I want to reform. Thus the challenge.

I've been thinking about this for awhile now because I am surrounded, it seems, by generous people. It's a beautiful character quality to behold: a neighbor of mine has it, my parents are generous in most every area of life I can think of, I have friends who are unrelentingly generous with their time, their money, their homes, their possessions. Often it requires sacrifice, a sense of thinking and considering others, a detachment from personal gain and possessions, a longing to bless the people around you.

My husband has this quality. He probably makes me realize my lack of it more than anyone else just by his abundant generosity towards me in a million little ways: Sleep in, go for a run, take the day off, go on a trip... and on and on it goes. Then there's me. The other day my oldest son was complaining about how often he has to clean up his toys and how hard it is, which led me into an illustrious and proverbial lecture on the wisdom of reforming your attitude in spite of your circumstance. The words were still rolling like precious pearls off my tonguge when I realized I was secretly cursing inside for having to put the kids to bed AGAIN and WHY was my husband playing the guitar STILL in the other room. Didn't he SEE and know I was in here slaving away by myself? Like I said, a serious lack of generosity.

Maybe you wouldn't define my problem with that exact term. I'm sure there are many other appropriate descriptions of whatever my problem is that could be added to my list of serious faults. I just don't want to get too depressed, so let me stick with one for now. I agree with you though, they all apply.

The thing with generosity is that it requires a thinking outside of yourself, and most importantly- putting others first. It's not something that comes naturally to me, or to most people, however positive and charitable the makeup of their constitution may be. Popular thinking seems to say these days that the best way to care for others is to care for yourself first. See to your needs, and then you'll be healthy enough to care for the needs of those around you. That sounds good, but it's not True in the way the Word of God explains our situation and our need.

This is where it gets sticky, tricky, and a little bit iffy. If you take what God says about our human nature, and about how we are to treat others, as True-- then you have to consider others above yourself, thinking not only of your own interests but of the interests and needs of those around you. You have to wash everyone else's feet, making yourself the servant. And you have to believe that when you do it in this "reverse," upside-down fashion, that God will bring joy, fulfillment and health to your soul.

Generosity kills the Brat. I'm pretty bratty so I'm thinking the turnover might be a painful one.  My challenge to you this week is two-fold: a) if you run into me, do not try to determine if I've grown more generous and b) more importantly,  think of something (probably something you've already had puttering and muttering around in your head) that you struggle with and humbly give it over... believing in faith that God will give you joy in the process (and he gives quite generously).

Dating Jack

Every once in awhile, I date C.S. Lewis. He's a good date, too: always available, a great listener, gets right into deep conversations. Usually our dates last for a couple of intense days, then I'll "put him back on the shelf" so to speak and we won't talk again for awhile. I like him though, and I don't mind when he talks about his wife, Joy (mostly because, well, he's dead, and I'm married and we're not really dating).

This past week we had a great time. On of the reasons I like Jack (he lets me call him this) is because of the straightforward, no-nonsense way he talks about life, people, and the Christian life. Plus, he uses words like "drudgery" and "muddled" and "trotted about". I can practically hear his crisp, British accent clipping off profound statements and practical, ridiculously reasonable arguments as though they were the simplest ideas in the world. I'm pretty sure that every line this man ever wrote is quotable. I mean, there are good writers, great theologians and sometimes a mixture of the two. But, do very many of them get books dedicated to the singular purpose of anthologizing their quotes?

Another thing I get a kick out of is the way he describes people. In today's world, when we're discussing the plights and struggles, the choices and conundrums, the failures and victories of all our varying human conditions, we tend to be pretty psychological and shall we say, "gentle" in our language. Not Jack. He calls it like it is and it is surprisingly refreshing, and helpful. He is the furthest thing from arrogant and is probably more compassionate and able to put his feet in most other people's shoes than the rest of us, but he is still honest and endlessly forthright. He believes that people can actually be fools, cowardly, lazy, and selfish. He doesn't just harp about it though, he shows us the way out.

One of the things he is most well known for and that I am always discovering in new places, is his love and appreciation for imagination. I am literally sitting on my hands as we speak trying to restrain myself from pasting all sorts of quotes in here so that you can share in the wonder. It's not just imagination though, it's the idea that this world is just a glimpse, a shadow, a faintly fleeting, distorted image of what True Reality is. There is Hope in this life precisely because we know we were created for good, things became (and remain) very bad, but because of the God-man Jesus, one day the Good and inexpressibly Delightful creation will be ours and His again. But Jack is no heavenly-minded-and-thus-no-earthly-good kind of man. As he says, "if you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought the most of the next."
If you want to read a some excerpts a little more at length than what I think you will put up with here, go here.  But, really you should just read all his books!

So, that's my challenge for you this week. Read C.S. Lewis. He would say "if you want to learn more about God and Jesus and the like, don't read me, read the Bible." But I think it's great fun to do both. Most of us are mere toddlers when it comes to thinking sanely about the lives we lead. And I am thankful for the women and men God has gifted with the clarity of thought to help us along the way.

And while you're here, I would love to know what your favorite Lewis books have been or the ones you are hoping to read...

Challenge #2: A Trip Down Runner's Lane

It’s week number two and time for a new challenge. This week I decided to start with another physical, health-conscious goal, but I do promise to move on from those things next week. Plato believed that the mind and ideas are closer to true reality than the physical world, so he might agree with those of you who think I’m dealing with “lesser” things by talking about eating or exercise. But somehow, however unclear it is to us now, our bodies and the way we live and interact with the physical world around us has further reaching consequences (or benefits) than we may realize. But, all the more reason to keep trying to recover their proper place in our lives and their redeeming, life-giving, even worshipful purposes.

Philosophy aside, it’s time to start running. You heard me. Pavement pounding, lung collapsing, adrenaline pumping, running! Maybe you think it’s not for you. Maybe you run every day. For me, running has been a humorous, difficult and even endearing journey that began around the time I was in middle school.

My dad was a runner. He ran a marathon once while I was in high school. If you saw him, the words that might run through your mind would probably be more like “wood chopper… nice flannel… he likes doughnuts… must have gardened today…” but probably not “wonder what his marathon time was?... wish I had legs like that…” Sleek, toned runner or not, he has the endurance and strength of a bear (they have endurance right?) and he has always encouraged me to run. When I was starting out, he told me to go ten times in two weeks and he would buy me my first pair of real running shoes. I still remember that goal egging me on when I was struggling through the first couple days of laborious breathing and screaming calf muscles.

I’ve never run fast, or crazy long distances. Mostly I have done it as a way to quickly, cheaply, and most effectively stay in shape. But there have been times when I’ve come close to loving a run for its own sake. When I lived in the Teton Mountains of Wyoming as an 18 year old, I began to run the trails in the surrounding foothills, and often found myself lost in the beauty of the late afternoon sun glittering through the golden aspens on a crisp autumn day. Ever since then I have found more joy in the moments of simple, patterned breathing and the solitude that allows me time to just think...or to reflect on the people and places I pass.

When I was in college, I ran on the cross-country team. I still can hardly believe it. But before you either laugh at me (as my aunt did, claiming it wasn’t a “real” sport), or falsely revere me, let me give you a little context. Remember the description of my dad? Well, shave off 40 years and you have the image of the young student who approached me one day as I sat in the dining hall, chomping away on lunch. He begged, pleaded, practically guilted me into joining the team, which unbeknownst to me was on major struggle street and needed any recruits they could find. The uniforms were from the early 70’s, and the waistbands had long since lost any elasticity. So, quite often, during my final sprints to the finish line I could feel them starting to inch their way down to my knees, revealing whatever other colors I had also put on that day (never expecting to showcase them to the world). It’s hard to take a runner too seriously when that happens.

In recent years, the pursuit of a running lifestyle has continued, if somewhat sporadically. Sometimes I will go consistently for months on end, continuing through pregnancies and the time constraints of young children.  But there have been times when circumstances have caused me to stop and sometimes remain that way for awhile until I get re-motivated or figure out a way to make it work again.

These past two months I experienced another relapse when my schedule didn't permit a regular run . Now, it’s back to square one, the drawing board, the tight lungs and aching, heavy shoulders. That first hill is killing me again and the second one does me in like a pile of bricks collapsing on my head. But, I know the energy it brings to the rest of my day when I have taken time to give my body a workout. I think this benefits not only me, but my family and the people I need to have the energy to be with and give to as well. I know that even though I would never dream of saying “God made me fast," as Eric Liddell once did, I do know a sense of the, "And when I run, I feel his pleasure,” He DID make me with a body that not only needs and survives on movement, but is invigorated and made more alive through it.  And part of experiencing that is knowing his pleasure in the way he created me.

If you don’t run, my advice to you is to start small and give yourself little goals. Walk fast and run for a couple minutes in regular intervals, slowly working yourself up and challenging yourself with longer times. Do what my dad did and give yourself the 10-time goal with reward of a pair of nice shoes, or running pants. TRY it… it could bring a lifetime of funny stories, healthy habits, and a nicer fit to your jeans. And for Plato’s sake, whatever form of exercise you do will help you to enjoy the body and human-ness God gave you and created you for.

Happy Trails.

You need a challenge. I am going to give you one. Because our relationship is so tightly bound together by all sorts of concrete tethers like cyberspace and anonymity, I am sure you will not be able to refuse.

I know it's a little hokey... New Year's resolutions and all, but I just can't help myself. That slim and sleek looking January 1 rolls around with it's stand-up-with-your-back-straight and suck-it-in look on it's face and I can't resist but make some pledges to change. But that is not entirely what I am challenging you with. I just think it's good to take stock. To look back and evaluate yourself in light of Truth and ask for eyes to see where humility and change are needed. Yes, of course you should be doing this all the time and not just once every 12 months, WE KNOW. It's just a way to have a fresh start, a new beginning. I think God is all about those.

So, the challenge to MYSELF is to, 1) take on these challenges in my own life (duh) since I thought of them and, 2) to write about them once a week. One new challenge every week for the 5 weeks of January. If you hate what I suggest then pick your own (GOOD GRIEF), I won't be hurt and even though we're so close, I likely won't even know about it. But, do pick your own and go for it with all the gusto of an old car spinning out in the newly fallen January snow (I tried to think of a more hopeful picture to inspire you but it is a NEW YEAR'S resolution you know...)

Because I'm in kind of a snarky mood tonight I am going to start the list off with a light-hearted one. But stay with me, we will go deeper...


Challenge #1: OUT WITH THE SODA!! (or pop or coke, or "spicey" as my kids call it)

Maybe you are already saying "I QUIT." Well, get back here. You can't. Remember our unbreakable bond?
Soda is the most useless form of consumption I can think of (right now...unaided by any research resources outside of Googling). It might taste good but it is pure SUGAR and does absolutely nothing for you besides coat your teeth and your gut with life-sucking excess. And there are so many more wonderful things to drink!
This  may or may not be inspiring anything but rage in you so I'll just say that it's not called a CHALLENGE for nothing. If you need a sugar hit, do something more natural, even eat a chocolate covered almond (mmmm... my favorite) but stop drinking plastic, hydrogenated corn syrup. I have to believe you will notice a difference in how you feel and maybe even look if you give it up. There are lots of other good reasons. Look them up:)

If you get bored by water, drink it anyway, but add something else fun. I have to have a sugary mug of chai tea every afternoon.

I wish you all the best and promise to have a less diet-infringing challenge next week, possibly even something that deals with the soul instead of the ever-popular health of our bodies!