Isn't December an amazing time of year?!
It is for us!
We have a couple kids involved in basketball practices and games already, and another will begin in January!
We have attended work parties and family parties.
We went to the Columbus Zoo and walked around to see the animals and the lights.
We had our church candlelight service last night, in which our oldest two were asked to read part of the Scriptures. (They both did so well, and I felt very proud of them!)
We are hosting our 4th annual Feliz Navidad party this week (you're welcome to come, just let us know you're coming so we have enough tacos and queso!)
Today also marks Day 19 of the December Chills challenge I decided to do. All month, I am committing to a cold plunge in my ice barrel. That's 19 days in a row I've done it, and I find myself looking forward to it each day. With the dip in temps the last couple days, the layer of ice in the barrel has prevented me from getting below my waist in the water. I'm going to move it to the garage and see if it takes the edge off the cold just enough to prevent the ice from building up.
Even in this season of memories and lots of activity, I've been able to pause to be still and grateful. I can rush through each activity and event just to check them off the list, or I can slow down and savor each one, intentionally creating the memory for future recall. Yes, I have big goals and big dreams, ones that still kinda scare me a little bit. Yet if I don't pause to be still in each moment, to appreciate the snuggle of my daughter or to relish in how proud I am of my son for reading in front of 600+ people or to watch the beauty of the gently falling first snowfall of the year, then what do I really have? I can let my mind race with what's next and how do I get to that next level? But that's results-based thinking, and I am making my satisfaction and joy dependent on whether it comes to reality. I have begun switching to an action-based thinking, and literally enjoying the ride of this journey. 2022 did not turn out exactly as I thought it would when I was dreaming about it one year ago. But I don't regret it either. I'm grateful for the experiences and the lessons and the station in life we take up. For real. Like, I'm super grateful for what we have created as a family and what we do for work and what we are learning.
I want to invite you into two things as we close down 2022 in these last few weeks. First, I want to invite you into slowing down to savor each moment. The big ones and the little ones. The giving and receiving of gifts and the time spent shopping and creating and wrapping the gifts. The meals shared and the movies watched together. The anticipation of the big day and also the weird energy of recovery after all of it. Slow down and savor each moment. The times at work as you look forward to a day or two off, along with the time you tiredly go back to work. The times you sleep in and the times you're awakened by excited little voices. The times you grieve for the loved one who isn't there this year or even of the times past because, let's be honest, this year is different than any other year we have had. Savor each one.
Second, I want to invite you to think ahead to how you want to start 2023. I invite you into being very intentional. You already know that your time and your life is finite and that some of your purposes and dreams and goals have not been realized yet. Don't bemoan that fact; embrace it and step toward it with purpose and action. There's a group of us who are going to be super intentional with the first 75 days of 2023 (well, starting on January 2 anyway!) We are still ironing out the details of what we are each going to do, but it's going to be open for anyone to join in. We will be forming accountability for you to check in with someone to share how you're doing with your goals and action steps. For many of us, it will involve creating daily habits of reading and exercise and being intentional with what we eat. Here's the thing: all of life is connected. You know that to be true, and as you get intentional and begin taking action toward good, healthy habits, a lot of things fall into place. So, I invite you in. As we gain clarity leading up to January 2, we will share it with you to hop in with us.
So, savor each moment these last couple weeks of 2022, and begin thinking of how you want to be intentional in 2023. This could be the start of something for you!
LIVE LIFE ON PURPOSE!
Chris
I have been tracking my sleep for 9 months, and I have learned a lot about myself with this small habit.
Sleep is something I prioritize as much as possible (except when it conflicts with being a good husband or dad)!
You can get one here, and save $50 with this link too. OURA
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