The Most Important Things

In 2015 I rode my bike 50 times for a total of 1026 miles. I walked 226 times for a total of 906 miles. On weekends I do a couple of specific routines to maintain flexibility and fight older-age muscle loss. My most important rituals are daily Bible reading and prayer. I also do a lot of reading to try to understand why I am the way I am inside and what I can do to change things for the better.

Every day is filled with many small decisions that decide whether I will improve or lose ground. But the decision itself is not enough, it has to be followed by action. Will I actually do what needs to be done or will magical-thinking convince me that skipping "this one time" is okay or that I can do it tomorrow.

I don't make New Year's resolutions. I ask God to show me the small, sustainable things I can do this year.

This morning started a different Bible reading schedule. By the grace of God I will read each morning so that I have fuel to fight the messages this corrupt world hurls all day long. The reality is that my mind will be transformed one way or another; I want it to be towards the good.

I have a huge prayer list. It is not a burden to go through but a joy. I believe in the power of God and miracles. All year long I will see amazing things happen and I will know that in some mysterious way my prayers were a part of the outcome.

Every day I will make decisions and take actions that will fight addiction, anger, apathy, and indifference. By the grace of God I will have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

With gratutude,

Philip