Read, Sit, Run, Write

Four Soul Habits for Times of Change

I struggled with depression and melancholy for large swaths of my younger life. In search of relief, I cultivated soul habits that feed me to this day. In times of change, we each have the opportunity to hone such habits. Read. Sit. Run. Write. These are my practices.

Read

Every morning, I brew a cup of coffee and sit down with a sacred text. In my faith walk, this text is the Bible.

These minutes of reading pull my mind and heart out of their small confines. These minutes weave themes such as generosity, grace, forgiveness, trust, and courage into my thoughts.

I am encouraged by King David and his faith. I am inspired by the apostle Paul and his dedication. I am humbled and motivated by Jesus and his sacrifice.

Inevitably, when I softly close the thick, leather-bound book, my brow is relaxed and my breath steady.

Sit

Next, I climb the stairs and enter a small unused closet. I close the door and sit down on a small cushion. On most mornings, I meditate on the Lord's Prayer. I camp out on the line: “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done”.

This line invites surrender. It invites me to confess and accept that I don’t have control in my life.

I surrender control of my own life and its direction. I surrender control of how I love my fiancé, my daughters, my family, my community. I surrender control of my professional work, my civic engagements, my small place in this big world.

And in this practice of surrender, I also remember.

Nothing earth-shattering mind you. Just small nudges about critical tasks to complete, people to call, notes to write, forgiveness to extend.

Inevitably, when I open my closet door, my mind feels like a nimble stag, ready to leap into the world.

Run

At least two days a week I run. Preferably three. And preferably at least three to five miles. I put headphones in my ears, uplifting tunes on my phone, and start moving.

Running stops my brain. Running fills my senses with the seasons. I run through downtown Chelan. I run through Chelan Hills. I run up the Butte sometimes. I run in the summer. I run in the winter. I run in the light. I run in the dark.

Can you tell I enjoy running? The activity purges stress from my muscles. It coaxes out hidden anxieties and angers. It ignites creative thought.

Inevitably, when I arrive back home after a run, my body and my mind are deeply at rest.

Write

At least two times a week, I write short affirming notes. Sometimes I write to those I love. Sometimes to those I work with. Occasionally to those I know from afar.

I write to offer encouragement, praise, and thanks. I write to remind others of their unique presence and purpose. I write to stoke the coals of love in my own heart.

You know the truth: both receiver and giver benefit from a gift. You know the truth: we are hungry souls in this world. We need affirmation like a seed needs rain.

Inevitably, when I finish writing a note, my heart feels soft and open.

Hone the Habits

In times of change, we have the opportunity to hone our habits of the soul. What are your habits? Have you practiced them so that they offer refuge and relief from life’s storms?

Now is a good time to practice. Every day is a good day to practice.

When I was so down just getting out of bed felt like a miracle, I remembered the urging of one of my teachers: Set small and gentle goals and complete them.

On some days, even now, my goal is getting from my bed to my Bible in the morning.