A Short Encouragement

It’s been a weird 6 weeks for me. I got sick, then better, then sicker and then finally figured out it was pneumonia and well…maybe I’m getting old or something, but I’m not bouncing back like I used to.

It’s been a weird year for me. I got embroiled in a major church conflict, made some amazing new friendships, and lost some really meaningful ones…maybe I’m getting old or something, but the whole thing has left me a bit…tired and maybe a little apathetic.

You see, I have always described myself as disciplined, focused, driven, and gritty (I actually wrote my dissertation on Grit-ha!). Now…well now I’m about 20 lbs over weight, my exercise and eating discipline are gone, and with those my sleep is off, my overall focus is off, my drive is low, and I am all out of rhythm. It’s weird, because during this year I wouldn’t say I was thriving emotionally, but I stayed pretty locked in. I didn’t really lose my healthy rhythms and overall, my general trajectory was towards health. But here on the back end, it feels a little like the engine is sputtering and there is a weird clanging noise that I probably shouldn’t ignore.

Bet you regret clicking the link to open this post eh? You are in good company, writing to this point hasn’t exactly been a ray of sunshine either 😉

BUT, and don’t forget God likes big buts (or is that Sir Mixalot??) I’m not panicking because despite the disadvantages of getting old that I listed above, one of the advantages is that I’ve been here before. I know what this feels like, and I know what to do. Here is my recipe:

• Shake things up: Do one thing different from what I have been doing and that is different from my normal routines.

• Get moving: Walk, head to the woods, lift some weights…anything to get my body in motion—even better if I can get outside while doing it cause sunshine is just about the best thing for me.

• Trust my disciplines: For me, one of the most important is dedicated reading time and dedicated silence. These aren’t magic, just how I think the Lord speaks to my heart.

• Talk about it: Share with someone that my mojo is off. Usually just saying it is enough to get a little ember going again.

Photo by James Lee on Unsplash

So today as I write this, despite the fact that I am very tired from a night of not much sleep, I am following my recipe. I left my house where I normally work, read, etc and went to a local coffee shop instead. I’m meeting friends to walk tonight; I have a short hike and some time outside tomorrow. Even though my brain feels like mush and I don’t want to read, I took a book with me to the coffee shop and read before I started working. And now, lucky you, I’m telling you all about my funk (odd what writing can do to help your heart heal).

So why write (and subsequently post) this little depressing diary entry? Well, I can’t be the only one. Right? Like I think slumps and funks are common to us all. I hope right now you are crushing it. That life is coming to you easily, that you are in healthy rhythms and that when you put your hand to something you feel joy and blessing in accomplishing it. But maybe right now life is bumpy. You try and move but it feels like you are moving through sludge (maybe it smells a bit like it too). It could be that you are depressed and need some more significant help; if so, I hope you find it or reach out to someone. But maybe it’s more like my funk. Not serious but certainly nagging. And I guess I just want to say that you aren’t alone. And also, I want to say, whatever your recipe for de-funking is…today is a good day to start cooking 😊 If you don’t have a recipe feel free to borrow mine until you do.