What I've decided to gain for Lent this year

This year, I'm not really giving up anything. I'm gaining something instead. Hopefully, I'll be gaining lots of somethings (unless it's pounds, then, no thank you). I am going to strive to quit something between now and Easter.

Typically, every night before I go to sleep, I'll get ready for bed, text my boyfriend "Goodnight", and then get in the bed and actually get ready to go to sleep. At this point, most people would turn out lamps or turn off phones, get comfortable and shut their eyes. I, however, take this opportunity to make sure I haven't missed anything in the world by scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, using up all 5 lives on Candy Crush, and checking the weather for the next day. Then, I'll do that again. And then see if I can waste the 18 minutes and 35 seconds until another Candy Crush life becomes available.

None of those things are necessarily bad in and of themselves. However, just like coffee last year, it's what those things symbolize together that I need to stop. What I'm doing when I go through all of those things every night is avoiding quiet, rest, and sleep. Why? I don't know. But maybe consciously making an effort to encounter those things will help me figure it out.

I'm going to be intentional about it and after I say goodnight to my people, I'm putting my phone out of reach. This will also hopefully help me in the mornings because I'll have to get up to turn my alarm off. I have a tendency to repeat my nightly phone rituals in the morning which makes me rush around to get ready and get to work even if I've prepared the night before.

I have some dumb habits. I want to take better care of myself and I want to receive what God has for me. If I never have any moments of quiet or rest, how will I hear from Him? So this year, to prepare my mind and my heart for Easter, I'm going to choose quiet. I'm going to choose rest. I'm going to choose sleep over chaos and distraction.

Day 24: Sleep?

2 things.
1. I am too old to stay up past midnight anymore.
2. It is stinkin' COLD in Georgia.

I got in the bed at 2am this morning. And then sadly out of it again at 7:30. That's not long enough. If I had been watching a movie that has some deep meaning or having a heart-to-heart with a friend, it would be fine for me to be up that late. But I was helping the boy with homework. His week has been insane with 2 tests, a paper, a presentation, plus the normal amount of work he has every week. He also works and coaches a baseball team, so our time together includes homework/studying/editing a lot. Sometimes I think about going back to school, but then I remember homework and I decide I don't want to go back to school.

In other news, I live in the south. It should be sweltering in the summer, perfect in September/October (think 70s during the day, 50s at night...bonfire weather), mildly chilly at night in November to allow for scarves and boots and sweaters and other fall items, and then cold in Dec/Jan. Some snow would be nice too. Then reverse that schedule until it gets stupid hot in May again. So my question is...WHY was it in the 30s when I got up this morning???? Every year I play a little game that I like to call "how many layers can I wear without looking like the Michelin Man?" Today, it's 3. I have on tights under my dress pants. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me how to layer!

I'm not sure if I'll get to run today, but I have 3 more days (after today) to get 2 more runs in, so I think I can manage. Still trying to talk my sister into running with me when she's here this weekend. The fact that the HIGH on Saturday is 61 should be irrelevant, right? I'm not bitter. Promise. (crossed my fingers)