Monday, Monday

Garfield had it right....I hate Mondays! We are perpetually moving towards the next Monday all the time....and I hate it. I keep thinking that we need to eliminate Mondays altogether, but then, wouldn't Tuesday become the next Monday? Hmmm...I guess that wouldn't work out so well.
I've been trying to figure out why I hate Mondays so much. Whenever the dreaded day comes around and I am sitting at my desk at work, I try to take my temperature....How am I feeling on this day (which happens to be Monday)? Invariably, my internal response is that Mondays suck, I wish I were still in bed and I wish I did not have to work.
I am sure that my feelings have a lot to do with the fact that the weekend is over. I love the weekends. I get to spend time with my wife and kids. I get to finally work on some projects that I have been thinking about all week. I can stay up late and (sometimes) sleep in the following morning. But, then Sunday evening rolls around and I feel my shoulders start to tense up. Monday is just around the corner and eventually I am going to have to go to sleep so that I can get up in the morning and start my Monday. Did I already mention that I hate Mondays?
Deep down, I think the real reason I dislike Lunes is that statement I made earlier about having to go to work. I truly dislike traffic congestion and commuting. I am sure that plays a part. In fact, on the days when I can work from home (which at this time happens to be twice a month), I feel happier...more productive.
I don't think I have an aversion to working in general. I mean, in my heart I feel that if I were working in a profession that I was passionate about and loved doing, Mondays would not feel so painful. But, there is something about having to spend time driving to an office and then having to sit in a cubicle for 8 hours that drives me nuts.
Another thing about this constant march towards the next Monday is that it means that time (and my life) are continuing to stampede forward. The days are going by too fast for my liking. Crap...that reminds me of another thing that I dislike...Have you ever noticed a ticking clock? That has to be the most annoying sound ever! Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock....it is the seconds of your life ticking away. Yeah, I can do without that...
So, here I sit in my cubicle on another Monday...marching...can't wait for Wednesday...it's the middle of the week...almost to the weekend...get to hang out with the students that I love so much...Friday is within sight...I love Fridays...now, can we slow down so I can enjoy....crap, Monday is here again.
The march continues...

Resolved

Time for resolutions, right? Have you ever thought about what a resolution is, exactly? Merriam and Webster say that it is the act or process of resolving. So, then, what is resolving? Well, the definition I like the best (and what fits my current situation best) is "to reach a firm decision about". I quite like that...It seems to me that when each new year comes along, many of us want to reach a firm decision about something...something we will change...something we will do differently...something we will finally put into action. I think resolutions have a lot to do with determination. Many people make a resolution to finally lose the 15 or 20 pounds they have been meaning to lose...you can count me in that category. Others make a resolution to stop smoking or to drink less...I am not part of those categories because I don't smoke and I don't drink a lot...

This year I have narrowed my focus to three things...three items that I have reached a firm decision about...three resolutions that I am determined to follow through on...

#1...I resolve to be more consistent in three main spiritual practices: Solitude, Scripture Reading, and Prayer. I want to make time to spend with God...to me, He should be the first thing...and I have wasted too much time doodling with second things...and third things...and fourth things...

#2...I resolve to be more consistent in exercising...this should help with that 15-20 pounds I need to lose.

#3...I resolve to bring joy into the lives of others. I believe that we all have the capacity within us to bring joy to others. So, I need to remind myself to look for opportunities throughout my day...

So, how do I grade myself so far? Well, I actually started applying these resolutions in my life today. I know, the new year started a few days ago, but, hey...last week was my birthday week!
On #1 I would have to say that I have not started off well. I did pray with Paula this morning before I left for work. That was a good thing! But, I have not done anything with Solitude and Scripture Reading...gonna have to do something about that..
On #2 I would say that I am doing OK. Wii Fit seems to help quite a bit! Ha...that thing is so fun AND you get exercise. But....the darn thing still tells me that I am bordering on Obese...Hmmm...gonna have to do something about that...
On #3 I would say again that I am doing OK. I took a walk today to get a sandwich for lunch and a lady in a car stopped me on the side of the road to ask me for directions. It felt good to help her out as I could tell she was frustrated and lost. As I directed her to the right street, she was genuinely grateful, shook my hand and said, "God Bless You!" That felt good. At another moment in the day, I had an opportunity to walk to the mailbox to drop some bills in it. A co-worker was on his way to the same spot. He offered to take the bills for me. I handed them over without thinking. In hindsight I think it was a missed opportunity. I could have walked with him, got some exercise and looked for chances to encourage, point out insights and otherwise try to bring joy into his life. Hmmm...gonna have to do something about that...

So, overall I am doing OK with my resolutions, but I am determined to do better. I wonder what surprises the next day will hold...