So the goal was to create a healthier rhythm of life.  One that would cultivate my inner life, but point me upwards and push me outwards.  One that would help solve my productivity and procrastination issues, not by enacting a rigid schedule, but by addressing the beliefs and mindset that were the fuel.  One that would connect me closer with God and what He is doing all around me.

I have decided on a rhythm to practice this week and I’ll evaluate it again this weekend for the future.  I’ll spare you the minute by minute details and just sum up some of the changes and goals that will make up this new rhythm.

One of the main goals is to get on a regular sleep schedule.  That means waking up at the same time every day, my goal is 6:30.  Exercising more, getting to bed before 11, and always getting up at the same time will help regulate my sleeping patterns.  Stupid stuff gets me away from a productive schedule.  For example, the other night I was about to go to bed at 11, but started looking at electric razors online and ended up wasting two hours.  I’m not even going to buy an electric razor, but the next morning it was tough to get out of bed.

I mentioned the exercise before.  My exercise is more geared towards getting in better shape and maybe gaining some weight.  I’ve dropped about 10 lbs since I went to Africa and I think not regularly exercising might be part of it.  So I’m doing the 100 push ups training program and riding a bike now.

I haven’t decided on all of the spiritual disciplines I want to incorporate into the rhythm yet.  I do know it will include fasting, more concerted prayer, service, and celebration.  That’s in addition to my regular prayer, scripture reading, and participating in several church communities.  I’ve just started attending an Orthodox church which I’ll write more about later.

In addition to these changes, I’ve added a time of prayerful planning in the morning and scheduled certain priorities throughout the day.  This way I’ll be able to spend more concertrated time and effort on support raising, learning German, and reading.  Hopefully the new schedule will help me blog a little more as well.

I’ll post another update next week, but now I’ve got to move to the next priority…

Peace