It's not New Year yet, but I have committed to change for the better.
It's been two weeks since I joined a small group of professionals in our church where we commit to grow personally and spiritually.
In particular, we follow the modules by John Maxwell. Our group meet for a short time every weekend, which is 2 weekends in a row now. We do share our takeaways from the lesson and hold each other accountable with our action steps.
I feel so motivated and positive since I joined it. My days are far from perfect and sometimes I am tempted and revert back to my negative self, but by God's grace I can attest that I have felt the difference between my old self and now.
Here are the things that I have committed myself to doing:
1. Writing a daily gratitude journal.
Since I started being consistent, I am amazed by how it has changed my mindset.
For example, because I am doing the gratitude journal, I've become conscious that if I am truly thankful of my life, I have to take care of my body by exercising and at least being conscious to make sure I am hydrated. It might be trivial, but really, I was not a drinker before. Like I would only drink water after eating my three main meals.
Here's a view from today's walk. The past two days, I walked from our home to San Rafael passing by a damaged hanging bridge. Since it's too hot today even at 5PM, I decided to instead go to the market by foot.
Also, I don't know if I will be able to go to San Rafael via the route I used before as my husband and mom are against it. They said it's too risky especially that there were areas on the road that don't have houses on the side. So who knows what lurks on the thick bushes and behind the trees.
I must say, though, that since I am an introvert, that route is perfect for me. Today, I walked along the highway, and the road was busy. I am more in an alert mode about my safety here as compared to the route to San Rafael.
Another thing I realized is: if I am truly grateful of my children and our home, I would make sure is a sanctuary of peace and relaxation for them. This led me to listen to a podcast about homemaking on Spotify.
2. Taking care of myself.
As I mentioned a while ago, this is a result of my gratitude journaling. And it's not saying I'll take care of myself; it is really accompanied by action.
For now, I am doing a 45-minute walk daily and learning how to jump rope with some footwork. Being not the sporty type and have earned some fats over my childbearing years (I used to be so skinny before I got married), it's really a challenge for me to jump rope. I watched a YouTube tutorial on some beginner-friendly footwork, but even that is hard for me. But I'm up for the challenge. As I read a quote this week, consistency beats intensity, so yes!!! I'm excited and looking forward to when I see the results!
The results will speak for itself.
3. Maintaining a cozy home.
If you ask my siblings and parents, I am the least of my siblings who know housework, and I am not boasting of it. Growing up, I was always saved from house chores because I loved studying, thanks to my test scores that vouched for me. So I was excused to work at home because I would spend time studying.
Anyway, all I want to explain is I have not established the habit of maintaining a cozy home, it's overwhelming me.
So, I am making a conscious decision to build this habits. But first, before doing is the mindsetting. So I am listening daily to a podcast about homemaking.
This also includes have a system in our home to avoid anxiety for me and the rest of my family members. When there is a system of taking care of things (organizing, preparing for school, etc.), we lessen time stressing and have a peaceful home.
3. Spending more time with my family.
In two years time my eldest will have to graduate from high school. As cliche as it is but time trully passes by too fast. But I won't compete with time. I want to embrace every moment now that my kids are still with me, enjoying my company.
So when it's time for them to leave, I won't have regrets because I made use of the time they had with me.
4. Bible reading and meditation
I am currently in the Book of Matthew, reading of Jesus' genealogy, life which is mostly preaching and doing miracles. I have discovered that I though I knew the Bible before, but it's a different feeling when you constantly read it like every day. It's indeed food for the soul.
5. Reading a book
I love this book, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman, and while reading, I could only smile thinking that I now know the reason why no matter how others say thanks to me, I don't really feel it unless they do something that prove they are thankful, because words of affirmation is not my love language but it is acts of service.
I still have to discover more of myself when I continue to read this book, and also I'm excited to know how to meet my husband's and children's love languages.
That's all for now, Hope you also a learned a thing or two from this post. Let's continue to be improve ourselves.
All photos were taken by my phone and edited through Lightroom and sent to my Messenger so I could download in my laptop.
Thank you.