I’m usually very black and white, very take it or leave it, very hard set on the boundaries of seasons.
But lately I’ve discovered the joy of wandering back around to things. Some thoughts, some practices, some words are worth peering back into and grabbing.
As we do this though, let’s do it without shame or guilt that we abandoned them in the first place. No worries about lost time, or forgetfulness, or what was going on in life when we last embraced these things. No, just simply start again now, where you are, with all the goodness you’ve gained since. Just reach a long arm back, pull that thing right into your present, and enjoy and utilize it today.
Mmmm, k?
3 Things I’m Revisiting
1.) A Book
It’s called Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anthony Esolen. I first started reading (and ferociously underlining) this book while I waited on my daughter during her dance classes. The year was 2014. I still had littles. I was homeschooling. And we were renting a tiny house in a mega Texas suburb. I was really in the thick of forming my thoughts on life, parenting, education, and ministry (and I still am). This book was cheeky, thorough, brazen, honest, and accurate about our culture’s whims and habits and trends in education and parenting. I’m currently going back and rereading all the underlined parts. Here’s a quick quote for you: “A child that has been blared at and distracted all his life will never be able to do the brave nothing of beholding the sky.” This book makes me a little uncomfortable and a little queasy. It makes me question what we’ve just always blindly embraced. I don’t necessarily fall in line with all of Esolen’s thoughts, but I still urge a reading of Ten Ways…. Even if we don’t fully flip our lives upside down to live its points and truths – we can at least get some things right side up again.
2.) Free Weights
This feels kind of random here, but it works. Back in the day I was a weight-room-warrior. Looking at me the last few years you’d never know it. I’ve thinned out, lost the extra lug that developed muscle brings, and have weakened. I do lots of cardio because it makes me feel lively and able. I do yoga because it’s settling and freeing and prayerful. I do weight machines because I thought that would work just fine. But a few weeks ago my husband invited me to lift with him instead of doing my own thing. I could not believe how much I’d lost. The little freaky muscles and joints that hold everything together weren’t used to really stabilizing anything substantial anymore. I didn’t realize how much those machines were spotting and supporting and stealing. I’ll still use them for some things, but I’ve been back at the free weights for just a bit now and the change is an encouraging one – namely for my health and strength, rather than my physic and appearance. The former is much more important to me now.
3.) Poetry Tea Time
I first heard of this idea years ago from a lady named Julie Bogart on Insta. She is a champion of home education (though her thoughts and such are helpful for us even still). We had been having a regular afternoon poetry time for a long while before I heard of Julie’s version, but adding tea to the mix sounded just right. Most families do this the proper way – with hot tea and cream and all that jazz. But I come from the land of southern nectar where cold sweet tea flows frequently, so we usually have a small glass of the iced stuff, along with a snacky treat. (This winter, we will throw in cider and hot chocolate.) When my kids started full time public education in 2017, I inadvertently abandoned poetry time. But at the beginning of this school year my memory was jogged and we have begun to embrace it once more, a few times a week. The kids even ask to do it now. They wrap up in blankets in the living room, I read a poem and we chat about it. I then usually read a library book as well. They listen, tinker, snack, (and sometimes argue). It has become a precious and peaceful and sacred and longed for ritual once again. (Note: You don’t have to have kids at home to implement this. Do it yourself, or with a spouse or roomie or friend. It will have the same fuzzy effect, I’m sure.)
Do any of these resonate?…or well something up in you to reach back and grab from your own past seasons? Again, no guilt or loathing allowed.
Just grab it and go, friend.
I don’t have kids so the I’m out on two of the three but will be joining in on the free weights. I, too, used them frequently in addition to cardio in college but was converted to an avid (semi-decent) cross-fitter after college ended. A hip injury has lead me back to what looks like lots of free weight training of the upper body soon. Thanks for your perspective on this-making it a feel lot less “boring” to me. Thanks for your words!
The revisiting resonates with me for several reasons. But one reason is that I have found it powerful to revisit writings of mine that I had scribbled out when going through a very difficult time in my life. Because I’m not naturally a writer, it amazes me that I even wrote my thoughts during that time. Now when I revisit those writings, the power in those words and the emotions they evoke are astonishing. Revisiting them reminds me of God’s faithfulness, the power of His love, and how my relationship with Him has grown in depth and richness through that very difficult time. And the Scriptures remind us often to “Remember”. Thank you once again for giving us cause to reflect, Katie! I love and appreciate you! ❤️
Excellent thoughts Patty. Thank you for reading and commenting! So grateful for all your growth!
You’re most welcome! I hope your new routine of upper body lifting ends up blessing you in crazy good ways! 🙂