What do you do when you’re in a bind or dug yourself into a hole and ultimately don’t know what to do. Sometimes the only thing to do is simply the next right thing you know to do. And go from there. So after a year and a month of virtually no routine/writing, here we go. The next right* thing.

*Desperately wanted to say “the next write thing” but saved it for the rando section.

I went through a period where I wanted to post pics of something on IG/Stories while it was happening because I was so excited to share with my friends. Then I started realizing I was missing out on the moment as it was happening because I was too busy adding a caption, etc.

I still take pictures and videos, of course, but saving the posting for a later date*.

*Except for Harris Teeter trips. You gotta post that IN THE MOMENT!

The alarm went off without a hitch, I hit the gym, and my day feels like it is back to normal.

Leggo!

Time to be honest, gang. I have been thrown off my routine the last couple of weeks. My writing has been spotty, and then via lack of sleep, being busy, and an alarm not working (this morning), I have missed almost a week of the gym.

Time to rebound. I won’t let this become the new routine. Time to get back to it.

Happy Monday, let’s go get it!

We’ve always done it*. How many times have we heard that before? We all have started a job, learned a process, and asked “Why is it done this way?” Sometimes you ask for clarity, and other times you ask because the process doesn’t make sense. Then you always get the ill fated response “That’s the way we’ve always done it.

It can be a terrible response, and yet we ourselves can fall into that trap over time. Let’s try to fight against that trap and do things the right way, even if it isn’t the way it’s always been done.

*The Super Bowl has always been on a Sunday, but now it’s time to move to Saturday. Everybody feels like crap today and no one wants to work.

It’s (finally) February* and I’ve hit the one month mark for my almost-daily writings. I have enjoyed the ritual of getting my random musings typed out on a daily basis.

Thanks for reading!

*I still say Februany even though Subway hasn’t had a $5 footlong in almost a decade. That was a great ad campaign.

A couple of weeks ago, my church began sharing plans with the congregation for a major overhaul of the facilities on campus. A new worship space for the contemporary service, new gym, meeting spaces, etc. The minister discussed these were BIG plans and we should not be afraid to make BIG plans of our own*.

Why are we afraid to make big plans and big goals? In the era of social media and constant “showing off” are we afraid of getting egg on our faces? Are we afraid of having to answer for plans that fall through?

It’s ok if things don’t work out, by the way. If we only did things that we know for sure are going to work out, we wouldn’t be doing all that much. There is a lot to be gained from going through a failure. Lessons learned, how to improve, knowing what you like, etc.

In continuing with my New Year New Me, I have decided to be more embracing of BIG plans and placing those plans in The Lord’s hands. You never know what just might happen.

*Sometimes my biggest plans are for a weekend pizza. And that’s ok, too.

Man, I miss water cooler TV shows. Before Netflix and cord cutting, we all had that water cooler show to talk about the day after it aired. Or the day after that if you had to DVR it. Lost is the ultimate (and last) water cooler TV show*. I feel bad for people that didn’t watch it in real time. That was the most fun I’ve ever had watching a show week to week.

Life has changed in a short amount of time. Whether it’s external factors, like the internet and streaming, or just factors in your own life such as getting older and having small kids, things just don’t stay the same.

When you come to a realization like this, you can do one of a few things. Going into the future kicking and screaming is probably the worst thing to do. Appreciating the nostalgia and then moving forward is probably the best.

*No, they weren’t dead the whole time. You are a dolt if you think that.

Your man here loves television shows. I was binge watching before it was a thing. One of the greatest inventions ever (before streaming) was television seasons on DVD. Now, of course, you can watch shows and movies on your TV, phone, computer, etc. But the screen size has always mattered to me for certain shows.

If you’re watching a show on your phone while at the gym, a show like 30 Rock is perfect. But if you’re going through another re-watch of Mad Men*, it needs to be on a large TV. The show is too beautiful to be constrained to a small phone or tablet.

Screen size also matters when it comes to work and reading. Seth Godin made this point a while back and I took it to heart. The more important work you have to do, the bigger the screen needs to be. Composing important emails on your phone is not the same as on your laptop or desktop. Your brain actually doesn’t take in as much when you’re doing this type of thing on your phone.

I’ve started using my laptop more and my phone less (in general), and I do my daily devotion almost strictly on my laptop, via the Kindle site. I have noticed a drastic improvement in my focus and comprehension.

Alright gang, it’s Monday. Go get it.

*This is the greatest show ever. No, no…ever. Whatever show you’re thinking of, it’s not as good.

I hate the cold weather. As soon as Christmas is over it would be fine to just jump right to late March or early April*. Who loves waking up to 25 degree weather? Not this guy. Nor do I like the chapped lips, cracked hands, being stuck inside…the list goes on.

BUT. If you have been keeping up with my ramblings since I started putting them out here, you know I’m constantly trying to enjoy the peaks AND the valleys. And there are a couple of things winter has going for it.

One of those things is a calm, beautiful sun rise over the frost covered grass. Sitting from my desk right now I see that golden globe trying to break over the trees and it pairs very nicely with this fresh cup of coffee I just poured (into my Trailside coffee mug).

I try to thank The Lord for everything – the big things of course, but even the little things like this. I’m thankful for the beauty He created.

*Sounds a lot like a bear. I guess this is me now.