theme: discipline

coming home to toronto this week has been like snapping out of a dream and waking up to reality. this week, i came home to attend jenne and duncan's wedding and since i'm back, i figure i might as well help shirley with her wedding that is coming up in october. since jenne is going to be a bride at the end of the week, she's in tip top shape. and since shirley's going to be a bride in just over four months, she's also in a workout mind frame. being around them makes me feel like a fat old hippo. i also met up with cristina and we talked about how we both need discipline in just about all aspects of our lives. it seems to be the standing theme of this week's trip (besides weddings).

we talked about needing discipline when taking care of our bodies; this means getting into regular exercise routines, sleeping at regular hours, waking up at regular hours, drinking lots of water, eating heathly food (ie eating at home rather than going out to eat where you eat way too many calories and spend way too much money) and keeping a balanced stress-free lifestyle.

we talked about needing discipline when it comes to our finances. this meant eating at home rather than spending extra money on meals at over-priced and expensive restaurants. it meant buying things wisely (no more compulsive shopping), investing wisely and being frugal when necessary. it also meant coming up with a budget and sticking to it.

we talked about needing discipline when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. for me, this meant regular devotional quiet times - EVERY DAY! not once a week or even worse once a month. it means regular prayer times, having accountability partners to keep me in line and on track, setting aside time for reflection and meditation.

we talked about needing discipline when it comes to our relationships with other people. for me, this meant cutting back on social activities because i spend way too much time out and about and not enough time at home. not to say that meeting up with people is all bad but that someitmes you just gotta use the time for other more meaningful things. it's great to hang out with friends but sometimes you gotta set aside that time to be alone with God or to be figuring out other things that require time.

life has been truly hectic for me the past few months and i think that coming to TO has allowed me to remember what life used to be like for me - simple! less busy, less rushed, less complicated. i hope that when i get back to seattle, i can change my schedule up and bring back some of that simplicity.