Good morning, Friends!!

I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like this year has just flown by.  It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year.  But just because the new year isn’t so new anymore doesn’t mean that we can’t still be striving to reach our goals and attain greatness.

I am a huge believer in the fact that small things can make a big difference.  You don’t have to run a marathon or eat only smoothies for a month to be healthy.  And that goes for more than just physical health.  You certainly don’t need to read the Summa to be a good Catholic and you don’t need to spend hours in silence to have a deep prayer life.

None of this is required.  The only thing that is required to live deep, integrated, faithful lives is that we never stop trying to grow.  A smart person once said that if one is not growing, they are becoming weaker.  And that is the key, that we are always striving for growth in every area of life.

So today I’d like to walk you through just a few simple habits that anyone can form.  They may seem small, but they are so important.

+ Prioritize your Jesus time

It is so easy for the most important parts of life to fall by the wayside.  And the number one “important thing” is time spent with Our Lord!!  This special time should be the most important part of your day, your #1 priority!  Our job is to figure out how to make this time happen.

For me, I have to make it happen first thing.  Before anyone else in the house gets up, before I have time to think about anything else.  BUT, that is coming from a die-hard morning person… so I completely understand this plan might not work for everyone!!  All that matters is you figure out what is going to work for you and make it happen!!

+ Drink that water

Okay, I use to laugh at this one.  Until I started experiencing some serious dehydration.  I would drink a cup of coffee, or caffeinated tea, in the morning and then maybe a glass of water or juice each day.  And that would be all.  Coffee doesn’t count, and juice really doesn’t either.  So, I decided that I needed to drink four 16 oz. classes of water every day.  I stopped getting dehydrated and you know what else changed?  I have so much more energy.

I am honestly say that this is the best thing I have done for my health.  And all it takes is four trips to the sink with a cup.  So, start chugging.

+ Small, measurable fitness goal every day

This one could be going for a 15-minute walk, doing 10 pushups, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.  For me, this is planking for a set time each day.  Little goals like these that can be easily measured are so important.  I find it so motivating to know that, no matter what, I completed something important for my health, even if it only took 2 minutes.

+ Learn something

Let’s look at this one with a little bit of flexibility, shall we?  If it’s raining outside and your house is clean, make yourself a cup of whatever hot (or cold) drink you like and curl up with a good book.  BUT, if the dishes need to be done or your room is a MESS, turn on a good podcast or audio book and get to work!  You’re still learning something and also getting something important done at the same time!!  So, it’s a win-win!!

+ Write something down

I used to think journaling was for babies, but I’m kind of in love with it now!!  Whether you just jot down a few notes in a dated binder each night, or write an essay, writing something every day is so so special!!  And it doesn’t necessarily have to be faith-based.  Even stream of consciousness notetaking can be a beautiful thing to look back on.

For me, I have been writing in The Examen Journal since the first of the year.  In that time, I have lost a grandparent, dealt with lots of craziness, and experienced a few mental shifts.  Looking back on those entries and reading what I was thinking on certain days is literally the coolest thing EVER.  Yes, maybe you remember writing something down, but now you can look back at it from a totally different perspective!!  It really is beautiful!!

+ Find a way to connect

We live in a world filled with connection of all different types.  These points of connection don’t have to be huge.  But they have to be there.  It’s more than just commenting on someone’s post or liking their pretty picture.  It’s about seeking to know and love people in their authentic selves.  So, reaching out to someone in a personal way, every day, is such a beautiful way to keep these connections real and special.

 

I hope you all have a beautiful day!!

Maddy