Another Day in Paradise

Ah, the weather outside is nice today isn't it? Low to mid-70's, a somewhat cloud-cast day, yet bright. This morning I woke up freezing because it was 40 degrees last night and I slept with the windows open because who doesn't when it's freezing outside? Don't you people like to need covers? Wouldn't you rather be cold and have to go to the closet to get another blanket then just sleep under a sheet? I, for one, love to wake up cold, especially in September. If it's January, no, I'd rather be warm, but when all I want is for the crisp morning breeze bearing the smell and sounds of falling leaves to wake me up, I'll take another blanket any day. Wow, I haven't been this cliche in a while...

For the past couple of years, I've made a Top 10 list of things to do for the year. Things like "go on a vacation," "read 12 books" and "go skydiving" are usually in there. This year the book total was 16 since last year I surpassed the allotted 12. I've only finished number 7 on the year, which means I'd better get cracking. So after finishing Byzantium by Stephen Lawhead last night (which was a fantastic book, other than the fact that it was supposed to have taken place in the late 9th century and it had an extremely Roman Catholic feel to the religious aspect of it), I immediately started reading Inner Way by Joseph J. Allen. It discusses the need for spiritual direction in order to walk the "inner way" of our lives, ultimately bringing us closer in communion with God and others around us. Usually, books like this are way over my head and I'll read about three pages then put it away. However, this time I decided to go at it like a school book and take notes and actually delve into the thing deeper than just reading words and trying to comprehend them. Geez, now that I finally get out of school, I start doing with my "pleasure" books what I should have (and never did) done with my textbooks! Backwards world, eh?

I just opened the door. The sky is bluing (yes, I just verbed the adjective, blue) and the browning leaves are calling my name for a walk. But will I walk? Most likely not because I would rather do my laundry, eat some food, read my book, and take a nap. The first part about really getting somewhere spiritually (according to Allen) is to be absolutely true to yourself. Well, I just was. I would like to walk, I know it would do me good and provide me with some good thinking time, but really, I'm not in the mood to leave the house. Sad, huh? I have what most people never get to experience at my fingertips, and I'd rather sleep. Well, there lies something I hope to have change within the next year. I would like to start doing the things I know I should, rather than just not. I dont' think I do a great deal of things I shouldn't do, rather I just don't do things I should do. This includes generalities like keeping a tidy living area, eating right, excercising, communicating with friends and family, and, sadly and very importantly, praying. Now I know I could get a lot of comments on the last sentence saying, "Dude, it's ok! Most people don't do the things we should like eating right, excercising, etc... Don't be so down on yourself!" I'll say it now, I don't feel bad for not doing these things. I just don't necessarily feel good when I don't do them. Still a backwards world, eh?

I want some Guinness. Anybody else want some Guinness? I don't want to spend the money on American Guinness though, so I'll save it for some real Guinness over there. However, in honor of this post, I will go for a walk, eat right, and maybe even excercise today. I'll still take a nap though. That I'll gaurantee.

In the words of Tigger - appropriate because Pooh's Halloween was playing in a Wal-Mart I was working in this morning - TTFN, Ta Ta For Now

C.M.