RECAFFEINATED MONDAYS: About those three words

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 20:7

It’s Monday. I hope that’s not news to you.

You can look at Monday in two ways. Either it’s an “Oh no, the start of another week,” or it’s “Hey, a fresh week to start over and get more things done.”

I actually got a lot of things done over the weekend. And while I hesitate to speak too soon, I’m actually feeling pretty good these days.

The first few days after the hormone shot were kind of rough. I’d hit a wall in the afternoon and just not be able to function very well. Last week, I seemed to be beyond that. I mean, I’m still dealing with hot flashes and insomnia. Although I’ve found out that a glass of red wine helps me sleep a little longer. A five hour stretch is a win.

I’m not sure that I’m necessarily doing things any differently. Maybe I am. I’m pushing myself to walk at least a mile and a half every day. Don’t snark. With my current challenges, that’s quite an accomplishment. I’m enjoying going to walk on the track at the gym while I listen to a podcast about Shakespeare.

I’m also more purposely focusing on the writing. I still need to work at specific projects, but I’m getting there.

There’s lots more going on.

But along the way, I took some time this weekend to think about My Three Words…Ponder…Learn…Believe…

Two months in, it’s time for a checkup.

Ponder…I’ve been thinking about a lot of things lately. No, that’s a weird sentence, I’m always thinking about a lot of things. But, I’ve been deliberately considering some specific items.

Some things are decided for me. Like my retirement date. Thanks to COVID, and cancer, the date is not as soon as I would have liked. It’s out there. I can see it from my house. It’s somewhere near Vladivostok.

Look, if we’re going to be friends, you’re going to have to accept that there will be obscure references.

But I’ve been thinking about my involvement in certain things. I’ve been thinking about where I should or shouldn’t focus my energies. The one thing about the pandemic and a cancer diagnosis is that you get a clearer sense of what things are and aren’t important.

So, I’m currently having an internal discussion over whether I continue certain projects or commitments.

Learn...I often say that I try to live with no regrets, but who are we kidding, I have buckets full. Among them

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were that I was not a better student. That I didn’t keep up with the piano lessons. That I didn’t keep up with the Spanish lessons. That I didn’t keep up with American Sign Language. So many things.

I haven’t checked the Vegas odds on my life expectancy lately but at best I’ve got thirty years. In reality I’m not guaranteed the next thirty minutes.

So, I can’t go back and make up for all the lost time. I can move forward and learn what I can. Don’t buy your concert tickets just yet, amigo.

But, I’m reading and listening to podcasts. And so, I’m learning.

Perhaps not quickly enough. Goodreads keeps reminding me that I’m way behind in my count for this year’s reading goal. But I’m still reading. And learning.

Believe…this one’s a hard one in many ways. We haven’t been to church in person for almost a year. Actually the last time was a year ago yesterday. I applaud those churches and groups who have ventured into the realm of online worship, but it’s just not the same. True, I’ve had some wonderful experiences, including my virtual college reunion where dozens of us recorded our class hymn and some of the other great hymns of the faith. And, I’ve recently found comfort and inspiration in the weekly Matins broadcast from an Anglican church in England.

Along the way I’ve been challenged. I mentioned the other day that a college friend is posting a series on martyrs of the faith. I’ve also started following the Voice of the Martyrs and watched a special presentation of theirs on Friday night.

There’s a good bit of irony in the fact that, Saturday morning, Facebook reminded me that I ended my last missions trip having Bananas Foster at Brennan’s in New Orleans.

There’s more on that belief thing. But I’m going to leave it right there as a ponder it a little longer.

So my three words are more than just the post-it notes above my desk.

Maybe we’re getting somewhere after all.

In other news, today is National Proofreading Day. At some point after posting this, I will find the typo. It’s always there.

True story: I once reviewed the resume of a potential intern who said that she had “experience in profreading.”

It’s a fresh week. Let’s start over and get things done.

Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash