Finding rest

Today I'm enjoying my first day off work in almost three months. And boy do I know how to pick 'em! Rain, snow, cold and hurricane-force winds are in the forecast. But for some reason that excites me. Because now I won't feel the least bit guilty about just resting. I'm not running errands like a crazy person or feeling I need to be ultra-efficient. Today, my idea of productivity is reading a book, trying a new recipe and, if I'm lucky, squeezing in a nap before I head to church for the evening and then back to work for a couple more busy days.

I've been reminded lately that I'm always in a bit of a hurry. I'm constantly looking at my watch. I drive fast, I work fast, and sometimes I even rush through important moments with friends and family. This fall I even came to the startling realization that, when I'm feeling rushed at work, I actually hold my breath! I told my co-workers that if they find me passed out at my desk that may be why!

I recently finished a book and study through my church called One Month to Live: 30 Days to a No Regrets Life. It offered some good insight about dealing with change and the storms of life, and pursuing your dreams. I'll admit, I thought parts of the book were pretty cliché, but there were some wise truths in it too—particularly as it relates to realigning our priorities and our will with God’s. The writer says: God has given us enough time to get done everything He wants us to do. If we rest in this knowledge and trust Him for what must be accomplished each day, our inner striving fades as we rely more on His plans.

Rest and trust. Two things I’m finding I need a little work on these days. And I'm starting now! How about you? How do you make sure your priorities—including the need to rest—are getting the attention they need?

Laughing at life as I know it

The countdown is officially on…26 days until the date when baby Connor is due to greet his already adoring family. It seems as if things at work are finally close to slowing down, my house is packed full of baby stuff, and life as I know it is all too soon about to change. Maybe that’s why I recently found the current romantic comedy Life As We Know It so amusing. A story about two people who find themselves as unexpected new parents to a one year old, it was as predictable as the previews lead you to believe. But it was also a pretty funny look at what’s likely in store for me.

Humor is a big deal in my life. That’s one thing that I have really come to realize through pregnancy. At first, I was reading everything I could about pregnancy, but wasn’t really enjoying much of it…until I put the books down and learned to laugh at all the changes I’ve gone through in the past eight months and laugh at the great and not so great ways that life will change in the months to come. I appreciated having a predictable movie to deliver some of those laughs.

When my little boy arrives, I want to do all I can to raise him right, but just as importantly, I want to be able to laugh even when things don’t go as I expect (or as a book or another mom says it should). I know I’ll be put to the test on that very soon…so you may need to remind me that I wrote this when I am exhausted and wondering what I’ve gotten myself into!

I sure hope baby Connor learns to smile and laugh early on…he’ll need those skills in this family, and I think he’s pretty lucky that way!

Going clubbin'

Oh, friends…I've missed you! Life is crazy; and that's all I'll say about my recent absence from the blogosphere. But I'm back, for today at least. And I'm posing a question to all of you: To join a health club, or not to join?

Of course, the weather has been so beautiful, even if I was finding the time to work out these days, I'd probably be doing it outside, but I'm starting to warm up to the idea of getting a gym membership.

The pros: My employer is offering a monthly membership discount through my health insurance. Plus, I'm far more motivated by classes where I don't have to work out alone. (It’s so easy to slack off when there's no risk of anyone seeing me!)

The cons: I have to go 12 times a month to get the discount (but one might call that a "pro" if you consider the financial punishment if I don't go). I already have free access to a small workout facility in my housing development. And other people might actually see how uncoordinated and not in shape I am!

I don't want to turn into a well-intentioned but ultimately failed gym rat. I enjoy working out and it makes me feel so much better—physically and emotionally. I'm not out to lose weight, just to stay healthy, motivated and happy.

So what's your health club experience? Should I go for it? Does a visit to the health club spa count toward my 12 visits per month?