Tag: Blessings

“Habit-stacking” or, searching for blessings

On By fosteringyourfaithIn Uncategorized4 Comments

“Habit-stacking”

            The term “habit stacking” was introduced to me during a physical therapy session.  The phrase comes from a book by the same title by S.J. Scott.  The theory is that we can add healthy, uplifting habits to our lives if we couple them with already established routines.

            For example, one of the (many) exercises I’m supposed to do at home is squats and heel lifts (going up on your toes to strengthen your calves).  Not surprisingly, I found it challenging to squeeze one more thing into my day – especially something that took effort and hurt.

            My (very athletic, fit) therapist asked me, “What is something that you do every day?  What is part of your daily routine?”  Well, I put lotion on my face every day.  Bingo!  There is an opportunity. Now – couple that habit with another one and you have habit stacking. So now every morning I multi-task – as I apply my lotion, I go up on my toes and bend my knees.  It’s a small change. And it makes a difference. I’m not taking more time out of my day and I’m accomplishing something that is good for me.

            As we prepare to enter the New Year, I am pondering the question – what else would I like to add to my life? It doesn’t only have to be about adding habits that we feel we “should” do.  That sounds too much like the drudgery of New Year’s resolutions that are almost always short-lived. 

Instead, I wonder about blessings and benefits that I could add to my life. How can I increase moments of joy by changing my routine even a little bit?

In the evening before I go to bed, I go to our front door to ensure that it is closed and locked. Recently I have added to that daily habit.  Now I open the door and sometimes I even step out onto the front deck in order to take a moment to look up, gaze at the stars, and notice the moon. In that quiet moment, I feel like I am placing myself and the world into God’s care as I prepare to sleep.  I have “habit stacked” a moment of peace and awe into my life and it is a blessing.

Now I’m wondering if while I’m waiting for my tea water to heat up if I could intentionally take a moment to look out the window and really notice the beauty outside?

Or perhaps as I turn to my computer to tackle the day’s emails, could I pause and wonder who might need to hear from me today?  Can I think of one person who might love to know that I’m thinking about them?

What habits can you stack in this New Year?

What small moments might enrich our lives or the lives around us?

In every moment, we are promised that the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow is with us.  We are invited to be aware and give thanks.

Blessings in the New Year…

Nothing lasts forever

On By fosteringyourfaithIn Gratitude4 Comments

 I grew up on top of a hill in Wallingford CT in what we called “the little house with the big view.”  The house was really just a winterized summer cottage built by my great-grandfather. It had tiny rooms, a galley kitchen, and a leaky roof. But the view – that was priceless. Looking west on a clear evening provided us spectacular sunsets that lit up the sky. On cloudy days we could see storms approaching as we watched rain and lightning advance ever closer.

Not too long ago, I drove by that special spot.  The house is gone. The trees that we used to climb have been cut down.  The fields where the horses grazed are empty.

Nothing lasts forever.

That fact – nothing lasts forever – could either be a cause for rejoicing (think – sitting in a dentist’s chair) or a reason to reflect, perhaps even mourn (think – a person/circumstance/place that you miss).

What if we lived with a greater awareness that nothing lasts forever?  Would that cause us to appreciate the blessings big and small that exist in our lives?  Would we notice the beauty that surrounds us as we hurry from one place to the next?  Would we listen – really listen – to the next conversation we hold with a friend or family member?  Would we make time to visit or call someone who has been on our mind?

As we approach Thanksgiving, perhaps the statement “nothing lasts forever” will be an invitation to gratitude and thankfulness.

The Bible tells us, “There is a time for every season.”  And we all know that seasons change, ebb, flow, and finally end. We cannot alter the passage of time but we can be intentional about noticing and appreciating the moments and the people who fill our lives.

Before my parents moved out of that tiny house on the hill, our whole family gathered there to say a final good-bye.  Everyone – adults, children, and grandchildren – were invited to name a spot on the property that held a special memory.  We would go to that place, listen to the memory, and give thanks.  We stood around the special climbing tree, we walked to the barn and remembered caring for the horses, we squeezed into the microscopic kitchen and reminisced about delicious meals, we sat in the living room and visualized stockings hanging from the mantel and joy being shared.

Through this month of Thanksgiving and beyond, may we be especially aware of the precious gifts that God offers us every day.

Photo credit: Herbert Goetsch, Unsplash

Daily Appreciations

On By fosteringyourfaithIn GratitudeLeave a comment

What if we noticed the small things in our lives that lift our spirits and make us smile? What if we didn’t allow those moments to slip us by, but instead took time to pause, appreciate, and give thanks. I wonder if we would become more aware of the blessings in our lives.

Here are some small things that brighten my days:  

Our local creamery. Not only can I get fresh milk (and chocolate milk!), yogurt, and meat, but it tickles me that there is a drive-through. I haven’t used it personally, but I have vivid memories of being a young mother with three little ones. The thought of having to unbuckle car seats, search for kicked-off shoes, and zipping up coats even one more time was enough to make me skip an errand or two. I love that tired parents, busy teenagers, and any weary traveler can just pull up to the window and fill their order. Every time I see the sign, it makes me smile.  So I pause. Appreciate. And give thanks.

A warm pool on a cold day. There is something a bit decadent about enjoying the warm air and refreshing water inside while gazing at the wintery scene outside. I love to swim and am grateful for the beautiful pool that is close enough for me to enjoy several times each week. I try not to take it for granted, so I pause. Appreciate. And give thanks.

Fruit-flavored water. This little treat is available whenever I go swimming. Yes, it’s a small pleasure, but how lovely to have fresh-tasting, cool water prepared for my refreshment. Before I drink, I pause. Appreciate. And give thanks.

Pretty candles. Short winter days call for additional light. And how much better it is when those lights sparkle and cast a beautiful glow. This candle is from the very special wedding I attended, so they offer an additional meaning. When I light a candle, it causes me to slow down and gives me the chance to pause so I can appreciate its uplifting light. And I give thanks.

Warm boots. “Walking in a winter wonderland” only sounds like fun in a song. The reality is usually cold legs and icy toes. When my thoughtful husband gave me these boots for Christmas, I knew that cold mornings would be transformed for me. When I I slip them on, I pause and appreciate their warmth and comfort.  And I give thanks.  

Cup of tea. Just the process of preparing tea can calm me down. Heat the water, choose the flavor, pour the water, wait as it steeps, and then pour and enjoy.  Ahhh… it is an invitation to pause and appreciate. And then to give thanks.

            Each day provides opportunities to bask, even briefly, in appreciation and to offer thanks. It’s easy to overlook simple pleasures as we rush from one moment to the next. Instead, let’s pause long enough to notice. Let’s take a moment to appreciate. And then let us give thanks.