Spiritual Sunday: New Year's Resolution? NO New Year's Evolution

Yes, I know, it's February. So why am  I writing about New Year's Resolutions?  Because I hate them.  And by now, like me, most of you have probably broken yours.  Even my daughter whose resolution was to keep chocolate in her purse at all times, broke hers.

I have decided instead this year that I'm going to have a New Year's Evolution.  Evolution is a change over time.  (Yes, for all you nay sayers evolution is defined as changes to biological traits over generations but I'm revamping that a little.) 

In this get it now, have it all society, doing things that take a lot of time are really hard.  I can drive up to a food place, talk to a microphone, pay and then have the food handed to me in a matter of minutes.  What do I want to watch?  Oh yea I'll just look it up on Netflix or Amazon Prime or Hulu.  And I can even go online and check out an e-book and read it now. Heaven forbid I have to actually spend time going to the library and hunting on the shelves. So when I make a goal, or set a resolution, I want it accomplished now!  (Or by tomorrow at the latest.) And when I'm not perfect, or life gets in the way I get upset, depressed and give up.   (A blog post on my struggle with perfectionism may be forthcoming) 

But big changes don't happen overnight.  I can't go to sleep one night and wake up the next morning being the exact person I want to be.  (I know I've tried) So this year I'm taking a little advice from Isaiah:  

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:, Isaiah 28:10.  

Let me explain with an example.  I am a self-admitted couch potato.  I love to read!  And so when I am reading I'm on the couch (or chair or bed etc).  I really should move more.  (I can't say that I'd like to or that I want to but I know if I do I'll be happier and healthier.) As a matter of fact my goal is to get out and walk several miles every day.  I did this a few years ago but got out of the habit.  So if my New Year's Resolution was to walk 3 miles every day…I can guarantee that after about 3 days (or less) that goal would be out the window.  Besides being cold in the mornings (and I'm a wimp) my couch potato self isn't up to 3 miles every day….or even walking every day.  Enter instead the Evolution.  My New Year's Evolution is that by the end of the year…I will be walking everyday. Maybe I'll even be up to 3 miles a day.  That seems doable to me.  

So, this is me.  In February, still taking a look at the changes I want to make and, hey! even making a few baby steps toward the end goal. 

Book Worm Wednesday - "Dead End in Norvelt"

E. and I finally finished another Newberry winner.

Dead End in Norvelt is a wonderful book.  Jack Gantos, the author, writes a mostly fictitious story set in the small New Deal town of Norvelt Pennsylvania where he lived for the first 7 years of his life.  The story begins with 12 year old Jack accidentally shooting a real bullet from a Japanese rifle that his father had brought home from the war as a souvenir.  When his dad returns from his work travels and asks him to plow under his mother's corn field (which he does), his parents get so mad at him that he gets grounded for the entire summer.  His only relief from reading his history books in his room or digging a "bomb shelter" for his dad is helping his elderly neighbor, Mrs. Volker, who has rheumatoid athritis, by typing the obituaries of the dying original citizens of Norvelt. This leads to all kinds of adventures and learning experiences. And the solving of two mysteries:  who put the bullet in the rifle and why are all of the old lady original citizens of Novelt dropping dead like flies?

This book is humorous, heartfelt and full of real historical facts and of good old fashion values.  Sometimes it feels as if the town itself is the main character. Both E. and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

E. Book Report Poster