Learning

Here's the update on THE LIST for February. I'm learning....

 

2) Stop checking e-mail on my phone while at work.
Good, but now I use my phone to mindlessly scroll Pinterest or Facebook at home. The goal is to be more "unplugged."

 

4) Find my rambunctious side again.
I spontaneously texted my mentor a picture of something. That counts, right?

5) Memorize some new scripture, or at least review the old. (Ps 119:105).
I have to set aside time to memorize. It does not just happen. Dinner time is my current space to review and study verses. I am almost through Ephesians.

10) Pursue counseling licensure.
I submitted all my paperwork. I studied the review book. I am waiting on permission to take the NCE.

11) Rest (Ps 46:10; Matt 11:28-29).
Sickness forced me to rest. (See Silver Linings.) I am trying to learn to prioritize things that are really important instead of just taking care of the urgent stuff. This article and the Covey Time Management Matrix are excellent tools in this pursuit.

12) Trim down the processed. Bulk up the produce. (In my diet)
What helps?
-Pre-cutting vegetables
-Pre-washing lettuce for salads
-Keeping a variety of fruit on hand (I try to buy what's on sale at Aldi each week.)
-Greek yogurt ranch dip (I make half a recipe.)
-Honey mustard dip (mustard plus a drizzle of honey and a shake of red pepper flakes)
-Eating bean soup and cornbread for breakfast on cold mornings (strange, but surprisingly good and a way to get in vegetables early).

14) Finish the books I have (Every Thought Captive  and How We Love) and read more (Wiest, 2015, November; Wiest, 2015a).
I finished How We Love and also read three books in the Kensington Chronicles series by Lori Wick.

15) Spend time with and love the people around me (John 13:35; Wiest, 2015a). 
Prioritizing time is hard. Finding time for myself as an introvert and having energy for others is a delicate balance.

16) Blog. Instagram. Something. (Experiment.) 
I am still blogging. I am honestly not super crazy about it, but it keeps me writing, which I need to do.

Until next month, may I keep learning the lessons God has for me....

The List

16 Things I'd Like to Do in 2016

(Not that I'll do all these, but I'd at least like to try)

1) GO! on a cruise.
2) Stop checking e-mail on my phone while at work.
-“Constantly being available on e-mail reduces your sense of control” (Pevzner, 2016, p. 127).
3) Use more glass storage containers and less plastic (Liddon, 2016).
4) Find my rambunctious side again.
5) Memorize some new scripture, or at least review the old. (Ps 119:105).
6) Clean out the pantry (fridge, freezer, et. al) and go on a grocery spend fast until it is done (Shinabarger, 2013; Wiest, 2015a).
7) Purge excess. Soak up blessing (Shinabarger, 2013; Wiest, 2015, November; Wiest, 2015a).
8) Run a 5K.
9) Embrace the quiet (Lindley, 2016).
10) Pursue counseling licensure.
11) Rest (Ps 46:10; Matt 11:28-29).
•“Pace yourself ….Make physical relaxation a priority – no matter what you’re doing....It is not the quantity of what we accomplish, but the quality of it” (Wiest, 2015a).
12) Trim down the processed. Bulk up the produce. (In my diet)
13) Bullet journal plan—streamline my to-do list (Bullet journal; Wiest, 2015b)
14) Finish the books I have (Every Thought Captive  and How We Love) and read more (Wiest, 2015, November; Wiest, 2015a).
15) Spend time with and love the people around me (John 13:35; Wiest, 2015a). 
•Send notes. Pay compliments. Give unexpected gifts. Cancel personal plans in lieu of hang-out time. Whatever it takes.
16) Blog. Instagram. Something. (Experiment.) 
•I need to share more with the world (1 Pet 3:15). I need to document and record God's blessings for myself (Ps 103:2).



References:
Bullet journal: The analog system for the digital age. (2016). Retrieved
from http://bulletjournal.com. 
Clark, J. (2006). Every thought captive: Battling the toxic beliefs that separate us from the life we crave. Colorado Springs, CO: Th1nk.
Liddon, A. (2016, January 3). Daily habits for happiness. Retrieved from http://ohsheglows.com/ .
Lindley, J. K. (2016, January). Can I have some peace and quiet? Real Simple, pp. 79-82.
Pevnzner, H. (2016, January). Real Simple, pp. 122-127.
Shinabarger, J. (2013). More or less: Choosing a lifestyle of excessive generosity. Colorado Spring, CO: David C. Cook.
Wiest, B. (2015a). 16 goals to set for the new year that are more about enjoying what you have than chasing down what you don't. Retrieved from http://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2015/12/16-goals-to-set-for-next-year-that-are-more-about-enjoying-what-you-have-than-chasing-what-you-dont/.
Wiest, B. (2015b). 26 things every person should do for themselves at least once a year.. Retrieved from http://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2014/11/26-things-every-person-should-do-for-themselves-at-least-once-a-year/. 
Yerkovich, M., & Yerkovich, K. (2008). How we love: Discover our love style; enhance your marriage. Colorado Spring, CO: Waterbrook Press.