Friday, November 2, 2012

Resetting My Routines

A few of you might remember this.
My old morning routine in the high desert.
Day after day.

Awhile back I was reading online somewhere and was surprised to find a link to a post at my old blog, High Desert Home. So, I went on over and started to browse through my posts, something I never do. And I was really struck by several things.

One, how sweet were those simple, slow years in the country with my family (even when the kids grew up and lived away, they came home often). I am just so grateful to the Lord for what He gave us and how He blessed us and for the sweet memories. My kids often voice this same deep appreciation for our family and home life.

Two, how important routines have always been in my life. I wrote about this many times on my blog--it was almost its theme.

Three, that I’m exactly the same person with the same values, hopes, and desires that I was then. Making a home, even for just me (though its never really just for me). Living simply. Keeping margins. Living slowly. Food and health. Paying attention and looking for beauty. Trying to live as locally, non-toxic, and eco-friendly as possible. You know.

Four, how different my life looks day to day now compared to then. For big chunks of the weekdays, I’m not busy at home, puttering in the way I’ve always loved, but I am off at class or in a meeting or lab. And when I come home, there’s always something I could do—work on a paper, do some of my reading, get busy on projects that will be due soon, study for exams, and more. But I do make a point of setting aside time and focusing on things that matter most to me.

Still, for quite a while, I’ve felt just slightly off-kilter mentally and otherwise. I’ve missed my old routines and the focus I could give to home and hospitality and being involved in people's lives, but I’ve also wanted to fully embrace the life I’m in now because I believe that God orders my steps. When I browsed through my blog that day, though, I realized that, in my desire and attempt to adjust to my current life and its demands, I was losing touch with what is sort of fundamentally me—the way God made me.

I think that back in the high desert, the amount of control I had over the way I spent my days and hours, combined with the really amazing group of friends I had, was very affirming to the kind of life I felt called to live—the routines, habits, pace, and a particular type of spiritual focus I had. Now I live in a place that is very different, and the people I know here live very different lives from what I’ve known. I’m not saying that there is anything at all wrong with these people and their lives (in fact, they are wonderful!), but I’m just geared a little differently, and I honestly feel led by the Lord to live a different kind of pace and lifestyle. When I conform to the busyness around me, everything in me starts feeling askew.

So, when I looked at my old blog, I thought, “Huh-uh. No more.” I began to pray about this and work toward the kind of life I can live here (in the place and situation God has me now) that will be in alignment with the same old values and ways that matter deeply to me. So I’ve been re-establishing routines and habits that are comfortable, familiar, and meaningful and yet conform to the new demands of my life.

This blog is something I want to do routinely (which doesn’t mean, necessarily, every day), even if I just stick up something as simple as a photo or the kind of “whats-the-point-of-that?!” post I put up yesterday. But I actually want to write, too, when I can, some of my simple thoughts on what I just wrote about—the spiritual effects and benefits of keeping routines, living slowly when the world tries to make me fast (and why I should), why making a home matters for everyone (even when you’re alone), a relaxed learning lifestyle at home (because I still think about it all the time), and a lot more. It’s a life that cuts directly across the grain of the direction many people are running, but, for me, this is what makes it possible to keep a truly spiritual focus and outlook. It allows me to pray better and love better. 

Now I’m almost to my allotted time for writing this, so I’ll post it and carry on. I pray you’ll have a lovely day.

16 comments:

  1. I am so encouraged to find you writing here again. Your words echo what is in my heart. What a lift in my spirits to hear someone else voice thoughts on living a life similar to what I am striving for as well. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. I am so glad that you are still writing here and would like to make it a bit more routine (however that turns out to be). I so enjoy your voice and experience on the things dear to your heart. Although I enjoy a lot of the same values as you, I never had a mentor in any of these areas growing up. your blog really mentors to me as I learn along the way. Thank you! Sara

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  3. Carry on, Susan. There are times you have more control and times you have less, but just because you meet resistance doesn't mean that your way isn't a good one. (And I know you know this!) I admire the consistency of your vision and intuition. They serve you well.

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  4. So glad that you are posting more regularly, Susan. Amen to what Laura said. Resistance will always be there. Press on, dearheart, in your quiet, beautiful, grace-filled ways. You bless.

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  5. both your blogs and posts have lifted my spirit. in a world where often times i feel so "different" in the things that bring me such joy and how i choose to spend my time...so many of the words you've written and photos you've chosen to share are a gift from God. thank you.

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  6. Susan, what a lovely suprise to find you here again. You have encouraged me so much over the years. So glad to "see" you again. :o)I've skimmed over a few post and hope to have more time to read soon. My kids are now 22,18 and 10! How are the grandbabies? I know you don't have time to answer....just so happy to talk with you again. :o)
    I'll be back...soon.
    Jodi (from the coffee shoppe long ago)

    P.S. Dark chocolate is always better than candy, very true.

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    1. Hi Jodi! I didn't/don't have time to reply to everyone, but I just had to say hello back to you! It's been a long time, and it's so good to hear from you! I'm really glad to know you're here, Jodi. And my grandchildren are doing great. I'll have to post something about them soon.

      Blessings to you! :-)

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  7. Susan, I've never commented before, but feel I must tell you how delighted I am to see you posting again. I first "met" you via a link on another blog shortly after you began My Summer Notebook, then I went back and read High Desert Home. I have been encouraged, comforted, and inspired by you as you've shared your daily life and your walk with the Lord here on your blog. I was saddened but understanding when you felt it was time to move on, and I'm thankful to be able to "visit" with you once again here. Your posts are a treat to be savored--thank you!

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  8. Hi Susan, I hope that the comments from readers are blessing your heart. And showing that yours is a voice that needs to be heard. Apart from having an awesome name ;-) You have wisdom to share, and I'm very glad that somehow I found your corner here. I'll keep reading from Zurich, as much as you have time for.

    Blessings to you as you study ... and write!

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  9. i have so much to say about this and so little time. so i'll just quick say I LOVE IT! thank you!

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  10. I'm so glad you're back to blogging. I stumbled upon your High Desert Home blog several months ago and just loved reading through all your posts, esp the ones about learning. I'm a homeschooling mom to young kids 6, 4, and 2 and it's so nice to glean from your wisdom. Also, I just always find reading your blogs to be peaceful. They remind me to slow down, rest in God, and find joy and contentment in the my life now.

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  11. Thank you to each of you for your sweet comments. I always enjoy reading your comments and looking at your blogs if you have them. It amazes me that people find their way here, and some of them even stay! :-)

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  12. Hi Susan,

    Catching up on my blog reader after a trip up to Oregon, and was SO thrilled to find quite a few posts from you. I loved what you wrote here. I feel that blogging is such a great way to journal, but sometimes it,s hard to do right in the present moment because you (actually, I) don't always feel there is anything special to say. But the texture of the everyday is special, because it is what God has given you (again, I'm talking about myself here).

    I really am glad to see you back online; I think you have to be one of my all time favorite bloggers. Blessings!

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    1. Willa, I am *so* happy to hear from you! And your comment means a lot to me as you have always been one of my favorite people/bloggers online. So, blessings to you, too.

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  13. this post speaks so deeply to my soul and i am so grateful to hear all that you have to share and will share. xo

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    1. Andrea, can I just say that I'm always so happy to see you? I've learned so much from you, and I love that you stop by from time to time.

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