Getting rid of the January Blahs....

Seriously January is usually the month where I begin to wonder if I have that seasonal sad thing.

Every year I get all icky and blah... this year I have taken a new approach to getting rid of those feelings.

So far it's worked. ;o)

Here's what I have done:
1. Don't take things too seriously. Life is too doggon short and most of the stuff I stress over is not worth it any way.

2. Prayer. I feel like I am in constant communication with God any way, but D and I have been praying together every night again. Specifically praying for the things we both see that we need to change in ourselves and also praising God for each day.

3. That leads me to Praising God for each day. With the tragedy going on in the world I am praising God for the days that I have on this earth with those that I love.

4. Exercise. Yep, I am doing it again. But I have paired this one with # 1. Not taking things too seriously. Last night I put in Leslie Sansone's 4 fast miles muted it and then put on my ipod with some funky 70's music and just jammed. I was home alone for most of the time so it wasn't a big deal. I can tell you though that when S and D came home they were getting a kick out of it. I was totally groovin to "Play that Funky Music White Boy" and "You Sexy Thing" ... by the way "You Sexy Thing" is a great motivator!

I cooled down with a wonderful worship song by Kari Jobe.

5. Sun light! I am getting outside during the day. Even if it's just to go sit in my van with the sun streaming into the window on my face for 20 minutes. I am getting some vitamin D. (Recent studies show that many people are Vitamin D deficient)

6. Not procrastinating. I am so so bad at this! God and I are working on this one pretty hard! I have found that if I actually do the thing I have been putting off, I feel so much better. hhhmmm what a concept.

7. Planning for the mission trip! This has been such a joy. Such a learning experience. I have grown so much in the planning, learning and facilitating of this trip! I know God has this team in His hands and knows what we will be doing. He's guided us along each step and we know He's in charge.

I specifically ask God to give me joy. Not the giddy, giggly, goofy kind but the kind that you feel because you know you are not in control. It's hard to live that way especially watching all the pain and suffering in Haiti and around the world. My heart hurts for them, and finding the balance between joy in knowing that I am loved and cherished...yet hurting for those person's is a struggle.

So I start back at #1... and work on the blah removers, with much prayer!

Now all Glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Eph 3:20