A Plan in Place - Karen Toews

Five months ago I launched my blog.

That was following months of picking my way along a steep technical challenge and building up the courage to commit to a long term journey. Surprise, surprise - that was one of my best writing decisions ever. I have:

• a self-directed weekly deadline
• a readership
• readers' comments to encourage me to develop content pertinent to them and to my blog's theme.
• a writing process that's giving me clarity and confidence for the online, and person-to-person, aspect of building my business.

Can you sense my satisfaction-thanksgiving?

I thank God for:

• helping me make a difference
• the anticipation of things to come

My heart's desire is to expand the whole-life, nutrition message (online and in person) to Christian women: to en-courage them in being the complete, whole-hearted person God has meant them to be, that:

• we have influence over healthy food and exercise choices for our families and circles beyond
• it's okay (crucial) to take time for your soul-care
• the rewards of having courage to "swim upstream" can bring new life and energy - for you and others

How can this next step take shape?

• continue writing blog posts - for the readership that's already there and growing
• seek out/connect with other Christian health and fitness blog writers
• contact Christian "markets" e.g. local womens' church groups

And in the day-to-day practicality - how am I going to make enough computer-working time available?

• organization=less paperwork on my desk: more sort and file, less shuffle
• less emails out=less emails received (that's what I've heard!)
• saying "no" to requests and options, so I can say "yes" to what I want to do, that contributes to reaching my goals (I'm not referring to "me and my selfish agenda" - you get my drift...)

Oh yes, there are days when:

• my brain can't wrap around one more technical thing
• my creativity meter has bottomed out
• this work I love to do has stacked up to the tipping point

Where does my help come from?

• prayer and meditation on Scripture and other inspirational reading, current book: Simply Jesus by N. T. Wright
• my daughter (whom you've probably already "met" in my posts). She continues to be my mentor and inspiration, most recently through her open letter to young Moms .

It feels great to have a plan.

It's wonderful to be well - body, soul and spirit - to make it work.

"Seeing the Self as Soul" - Karen Toews

I've recently watched a series of blog videos focused on self-care. They have been targeted towards busy Moms shuffling life responsibilities of young children, work, home and everything in between. Though I don't qualify in the first category - the rest is in my mix. The practical guidance given was based on our human physiology, chemistry and emotional make-up - and the presenter's gentle spirit could only add to the calming of one's soul.

The soul. Where does it fit in with this attention to taking care of my self - not a surprising query from one who grew up with the JOY Sunday School chorus: "Jesus first, Yourself last, and Others in between!" Though this posed a semantic question more than a deep theological concern, I believe it was no coincidence that at our public library last week, I came across the book, The Contented Soul, The Art of Savoring Life by Lisa Graham McMinn.

In the second chapter, Lisa expands on "Seeing the Self as Soul." The following quote is the essence of how she clarified this, referencing Dallas Willard from Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. "...[regarding] the soul... that dimension of a person that inter-relates all other dimensions so that they form one life. The soul organizes our whole person: our mind and will, thoughts and feelings, body and social context, and through these, reaches ever deeper into the person's vast environment of God and his creation."

In this framework, taking care of self is an understanding that "I am a living soul who lives in a physical world and is held together by a spiritual world." This links well with other nuggets I've found in this great book - God created us for joy, having mellowness of heart, practicing fortitude - and I anticipate more as I slowly savor my way through the chapters.

I'm hoping some of you have read this book, and would enjoy hearing from you.

Do take good care....