A New Plan

I woke up at 6 a.m. felt good physically and mentally, Praise be to God!! As those who read this blog understand, feeling "normal" is such a rarity for me.

My morning/day routine has been changed. It used to be: do the bare minimum when up to it, more when feeling good. My routine was: Get up, make bed, open shades, throw in a load of clothes, wash dishes. period. While in the hospital I came up with a new list. Here it is:

Get up

Breathe deeply

Climb out of the bed and sink to my knees in prayer and proclaim;"The kingdom of God is within me and with God's help I can handle whatever comes. Be thankful for a new day

Make the bed, put a chocolate mint on each pillow

pull up the shades on the windows

Go to the Y or walk around looking for my "house of the week" make certificate and get it ready to mail the next day

Shower and scrub my feet, thinking of how the Savior washed the diciples' feet.
then rub them with a chakra oil as if annointing to remind me of the woman who washed Jesus'feet with her tears, hair and perfume. (don't worry, I am not a fanatic, I just need reminders that the Lord is always with me)

Remember Paul's words in Romans 6:4 We should also walk in newness of life.

Wash the dishes

Wipe down sinks and faucets,keep counter clean.

Take my breakfast out on the back porch swing and look over at our neighbor's pond and recite, "This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

Spend 4-5 hours on the house or more. one room at a time

Prepare a meal so I get my nutrition in. Before I was in the hospital I was not eating and had lost about 15 pounds. Not eating and depression often go hand in hand.

Breathe deeply

Read out of a Christian based novel. I just finished re-reading Anne of Green Gables.

Read scriptures and the Power of Positive Thinking

Keep a $5 bill in my pocket at all times specifically to be used to help someone who might not have enough money at the checkout counter or other emergency earmarked for someone other than myself.

Mondays buy a single rose and take it to someone unexpected, a grocery cashier, the woman at the postoffice, the librarian, leave it in the mailbox for the postal carrier, take it to a friend who is down. It will give me joy in the act of giving, brighten someone's day, look for opportunities to make someone else happy and keep my mind off of myself. This is something that brings enthusiasm which broken down means En (in) thusiasm (based on Theos or God) and therefore my enthusiasm means "in God."

before bed: make sure the kitchen table is cleared off so when I come downstairs in the morning I will see a clean table.

Let my knees hit the floor with thanksgiving.

Live every day as if it were my last, but remember, it probably isn't. And live everyday with joy when the days are good, and hang on to the image of Christ cradling a lamb for He is my shepherd. Know that unseen angels are bearing me up.

Breathe