Five Things

 

               Yesterday was a very long and very beautiful day. I have done my best to capture my feelings in words, but I think I need at least one more day to think them over before sharing them with you here.

                Meanwhile, I wanted to write today about something that is largely frivolous in the grand scheme, but it was fun to think about! Last month, when I switched up how I journal each day, I added a daily writing prompt. I find them on Pinterest and answer the question after I write about the happenings of the day and my thoughts of my soul.

                One of last week’s question was: What are five things you do every day, without fail?

                I felt like it was cheating to lean on obvious things like brushing my teeth and eating meals. Yes, I do those things (and many other things) every day, but I tried to pick answers that might not be true for everyone. Here are my five answers. I’d love to hear what yours would be!

BLOG.

                It really is wild to me to think that I’ve been blogging since 2006 and blogging daily since 2011. Today’s post is number 6,570. That is a lot of blog posts. Sure, this little corner of the internet is still mostly little. I don’t have huge followings, and that’s just fine with me. I enjoy blogging each day for the accountability of writing and preservation of thoughts and memories.

                It sure has come in handy – many times – to be able to look something up on this blog. It’s like an extra scrapbook! It’s been fun to get to meet new friends online that I would  not have met any other way. It’s been fun to share in ministry in ways I would not have been able to do, were it not for blogging.

                Are there days I struggle to think of something to write?  Oh, absolutely! But it’s good for me to push forward and write even when I’m tired…or sad…or sick…or overwhelmed.

JOURNAL.

                I’ve been journaling since I was fifteen…so 32 years. I haven’t written every single day of those years, but I’ve made it a priority in the last couple of years to be sure to write EVERY DAY. And now I’m making it a priority to write every single day, and to write things that are meaningful to me. Things I want to remember. Things worth pursuing in thought at a later time.

                I’ve never regretted journaling. Some memories might be painful to look back on, but I sure am thankful I’ve captured them.

MAKE THE BED.

                I absolutely am on team make-your-bed-every-single-day. Thankfully, Ryan is, too, and we usually do this together each day. It doesn’t take long, and it makes the room feel cozy and finished.

                I was a complete slob growing up, and my bed was always a wadded-up mess. Now that I realize the joy of a neatly made bed, I can’t believe I ever lived any other way!

DRINK COFFEE.

                Perhaps you think this should have been on the obvious list, like teeth-brushing, but I didn’t grow up drinking coffee, so this now feels like something worth noting.

                Neither of my parents drink coffee, so I didn’t either. (My mom didn’t even own a coffee pot until well after I was out on my own. She bought one for company, and – as newly minted company – I used it when I visited!) I lived on Mountain Dew all the way through college and Coke for years after that, but I slowly learned to love coffee.

                I started with frappes, graduated to lattes, moved to regular coffee with cream and sugar, and now I’m down to just a splash of almond milk in my coffee, and I actually prefer an Americano. WHO AM I????

                But there is absolutely nothing in this world  like that first sip every morning. And yes, I do drink coffee all day. (And I also drink 100 ounces of water, so I feel I’ve achieved a good balance.)

KISS RYAN.

                Another obvious one, but I have to tell you, having a dog who is HEARTILY opposed to any displays of affection has made me appreciate this one even more. We hide from her and kiss anyway!

                Kissing matters, and we don’t want to be one of those couples who gives it up after too many years together. (Is there such a thing as too many years together? I hope not.) Anyway! Kissing Ryan is absolutely my favorite. I’d take more pictures of it, but I’ve learned that I am NOT photogenic in kissing selfies. It’s like awkward family photos come to life. (Thankfully we have Barb every fall...)

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                Of course there are many more things I do every single day, but these were the five I picked for my list. What would you put on YOUR list?