Howdy,
Yesterday I described the need for tapping out a new rhythm.
Today I’ll look at more what I’d like that rhythm to be, though I fully admit that this blog post is titled: “Finding …”
Speaking of the post title, even as long as it is, it didn’t include it all: … life and journey: through it and to it.
“Through it and to it.”
This is a journey and the journey is through it and to it.
I like that phrase, through it and to it. So much so that I don’t want to Google it and see how many other people may have already come to use it. It’s original with me.
In all the searching, exploring, and experiencing in “finding,” it’s also good to have a plan, a strategy for the search. Recently with a mentor, a coach—still kind of kicking off my time with him (meaning, I’m at the basics)—we discussed life rhythms. Rhythms for a more intentional, disciplined, and driven life and journey.
Thought I’d share a general structure to consider:
Daily. Weekly. Monthly. Yearly.
We’re looking at this from a spiritual development and life ministry point of view, my mentor and I, but there’s also general life included and all the pursuits that can be involved, whether personal or career, etc., all prioritized. Or at least that’s part of the challenge.
Daily is to hit critical things with consistency (5-7 days/week—some margin for flex, but regularly). Like spiritual devotions and disciplines, such as Scripture reading and study and prayer. Physical exercise fits in here as well—lace ‘em up and get it done. Of course, for me, it works best if writing is consistent.
Weekly is remembering and building in a sabbath of sorts—having a day in the week that is different, not normal to the routine. A change-up and refreshing. Not necessarily difficult, but a difference. There are Day of Worship Sabbaths, but also this idea of holding some time in a week for some different things, to shake things up, for the better. We’re created for such a rhythm.
Monthly is taking a day, or even only half a day, in a month and reflect back on the past month, reviewing your vision and goals and commitments for a look at how it went, how it’s going, and then looking forward at the next month, for what new challenges and steps will be undertaken to bring the vision into focus through actions stepping toward goals completion. Put out a plan and live out the journey, you know, through it and to it.
Yearly is setting aside a couple of days (with a spouse if married) and taking time to reflect on and look forward to the year past and the one upcoming. Could also involve brainstorming and dreaming though a three-year plan, especially when initially performed. That 1-3 year plan informs the thinking and actions of the Monthly which in turn is built of the Daily disciplines that make up the rhythm of weeks intentionally spent.
With beginning of fall becoming official this week, it’s a reminder and impetus to tighten up in all these areas or even prepare to perform them for the first time, laying out a path for the journey, driven one day at a time.
The rhythm of a life.
A life I’d want.
—Billy
Reading. Writing. Living.
Word Count: 187,141 / On Pace: 189,750 / Year’s Goal: 200,000
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