Last week was tough. It was that transition week between the ending of school routines and the advent of summer rhythms. I set up good scaffolding, but my emotions reflected the stress of transition, and so I didn’t *feel* good. I gave grace to myself and to my children, knowing we are all trying to find our new way of being + doing, but even with solid plans, you keep walking through the mire of emotional transitions to get to the light.
Today has felt light. I slept well. I began the day with a cup of Earl Grey tea in our bedroom, sipping while reading the book of Philippians. The Word felt like water to me. Hydrating, penetrating, energizing. I even pulled out my colored pencils to mark words, made lists in the margins, pondered the partnerships of Paul with others. I read a chapter of A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, lingering with my observations. I allowed myself to sink into this summer rhythm of slow mornings, days beginning with extended time in the Word without the rush, listening closely to the voice of the Spirit, guiding and teaching me.
Our weather this week is extremely hot for May, especially in contrast to our mild and lovely Spring. This weather shift prompted me to move my afternoon walks to morning walks, and this habit will probably remain until the fall. After time with the Lord and a few chores, I headed out for a walk, enjoying two podcast episodes that were fantastic. One was about exercise, energy, and your menstrual cycle, and the concept of “cycle syncing”. Really excellent, and I plan to relisten to it again tomorrow on my walk. The other podcast was on breaking the anxiety habit. Fantastic research-based content helping us learn to exercise awareness in our daily habits as the way to build better ones, and using curiosity and kindness as paths to open ourselves up and away from lesser desirable, closed-off, unhealthy ways of living.
After a walk, I had a delicious smoothie, and later, a tasty chicken and rice stir-fry bowl for lunch. Lots of water. Eating lightly and with intention, noticing what makes me feel good, whole, filled with vitality. This does not come naturally to me but is something the Lord keeps nudging me on as I walk this journey towards living well and sustainably for the Kingdom.
My grid today has been “How can I nourish my body, my soul, and my spirit?”
It’s a great question, and one I will carry with me this week as I have more margin in my days. I want to check in with myself before I eat: will these choices nourish me and therefore bring deep satisfaction and contentment? When I decide how to spend an hour: will this choice nourish my mind and emotions? Will it educate me, encourage me, exhort me, renew me? Is my spirit feeding on the Word of Truth? Am I tasting and seeing that the Lord is good? Does my reading time reflect a deep love for the only book that can ultimately bring the deepest intimacy and ultimately change me?
Nourishment. Filling. I was reminded this morning that my word for 2021 has been FILL. And that is what this summer will be for me. Filling up with holistic nourishment so that I can love and serve well in the places He is calling me, first and foremost, here at home.
Aimee
This was such a perfect post for me today. I have developed some bad habits of distraction that have led to unhealthy of mind, body, and spirit. I’m pondering how I can bring holistic nourishment and unwind some of the knots of anxiety. Thank you for your beautiful writing. I loved your blog for so long, and I’m thrilled to hear from you regularly here.
As always, I enjoyed your words this afternoon. Thank you for sharing the thought-provoking questions! This is a busy week for me, but I am thinking on my own summer plans. You've helped me with that the past few years. I was just thinking how you have really impacted my life. I have followed you for quite a few years now. We are similar ages and stage of life, but I learn so much from you! Thank you for investing in so many of us! I hope you have a wonderful summer!