Eleven years ago, I “published” my first blog piece. I began it after four years into an unanticipated relocation, from “the Free state,” to the Lone-Star state. The organizing principle was gardening, tethered to a favorite quote from a favorite actor: “If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.” (Paul Newman)
I written lots of posts . . . Never could I have imagined the topics COVID-19 introduced.
Since about mid-March, I have a growing impression of getting myself in shape for . . . something.
Doug says he feels like he is in a large ship, in the middle of the ocean . . . on the horizon, wherever he casts his gaze, a wave is bearing down; waves larger than the ship, just bearing down. He trusts the Captain . . .
Working-Out, Sorta
Hence, I’ve been more or less staying active. After all, being sedentary is more dangerous than smoking. (AARP: No exercise is worse than smoking) So, I keep moving, and I actually get outside for at least three or four walks. But, the weather sometimes thwarts me.
Sometimes I thwart myself, and get distracted, and worn out. No, I don’t bounce out of bed and exercise!
But, I have kept exercising self-control about what I eat and when; Doug, too. For the past 18 months, I have maintained an eating plan I should have adopted as second nature at age 3.
Eliminate the junk food; add lean protein, plus increase fruits and salads; drink a minimum of 64 oz of water, and try to get into bed at a decent hour.
Yep, I am finally taking care of the old body . . . just when all the warrantees are about out of date! In the last four months, I lost one pound, six ounces.
Preparing my “Innards”
Writing, and the reading show me that staying fit spiritually, mentally, and emotionally is just as much of a propriety. That exercise is trickier because of COVID-19.
Reach out to someone who can help you have perspective. Don’t try to figure out everything on your own. (Tom & Julie Meekins, Champions4Parents)
A true truth for so many seasons of life through which we garden, right?
In these uncertain days, I appreciated the suggestion Rudy Carrasco offered in Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World Full of Differences – when he doesn’t know what to do. They are a reality check, a plan and a source of power:
I’ve developed a three –step set of sayings that gives me strength to take action:
Things fall apart
Se hace camino al andar (“You make the road as you walk.”)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) (page 58)
For every thing that has fallen – is falling — apart during the past 140 days or so, God has shown a way . . . many good things has been tucked in with the hard things.
And, face it – through the eleven years I’ve written a blog, I had to ask myself do I really believe ______________ about God? (some posts on unbelief)
COVID-19 is showing me God’s faithfulness, when I am not; just what I can do through Christ who strengthens me.
Finally, the essential component of maintaining “interior” fitness is practicing gratitude. Sometimes life’s little challenges (a.k.a. Brass in the Golden years) thwart me from practicing gratitude. A pandemic is no time to throw in the trowel in an autumn’s garden!
So, I keep reading, and of course PAINTING!
Listening to A Place on Earth and painting
I wonder if TLC would ever do a series on “crafters” who went nuts during the pandemic and became creative hoarders?
Don’t own so much clutter that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire. ~Wendell Berry, “Prayers and Sayings of The Mad Farmer”
PS: Dear Reader: God’s up all night, if you want to reach out and get some help with your perspective.