23 DAYS

I have 23 days left of summer vacation. After that I will be back to a very full schedule and I will continue to try and perfect the juggling act that is the life of a wife, mom, teacher, musician, Jesus follower, worship leader, singer/songwriter and sometime blogger. I woke up this morning thinking, "if I was truly the person I want to be, what would I do with my days?" It was as if a voice spoke to me and said, "give it a try for 23 days". What a thought! Where did that come from? I think I know. So I am going to listen to "the voice" and give it a try.

The wise person would know that we should approach every day this way. But I am not always wise. So I am conducting an end of the summer experiment. Am I up to the challenge? I don't know if I am. I know that if I'm being ultra spiritual I will say that God in me can accomplish anything. I believe that. I know it. But, I don't always act like I believe that and I know it. So, this is my end of summer experiment: live intentionally, on purpose, doing what I know I need to do for 23 days. No slacking off, no drowning in a sea of discouragement- even if it is not going the way I'd hoped, no backing out of this! 23 days.

Here are some examples of what I'm talking about:
My spiritual gifting is along the teaching and exhorting line. I like to encourage people. It makes me happy to give someone a pat on the back. I also believe people need to hear words of affirmation. So if I was the kind of person I'd like to be, I'd do more of that. Today's attempt at that? I've written notes to some really awesome people who I happen to know who I think could use a word of affirmation.

I'm still on a weight loss journey. If I was the kind of person I'd like to be, I'd eat healthy and exercise. It is 11Am and I've walked 3 miles with my little dog Ella. I love to be out doors. We have a lovely walking park in my neighborhood and this morning was especially enjoyable because there was a nice summer breeze and a lot of friendly people smiling and waving to me in the park. Ella sniffed a few canine friends and I exchanged pleasantries with other dog loving, walk loving humans from my neighborhood. I got a little more than I expected from my exercise goal...interaction with sweet humans! Hmmmmm, this experiment might surprise me!

My son is home for a couple of weeks. He is a twenty four year old and in between houses. He had to be out of his last home in Denton by the 20th of July and then can't move into his new home in Austin until August 3rd. He feels a bit displaced with all of his worldly belongings stashed into Tom's music room, but this mom is very happy to have her one and only son at home - if only for a couple of weeks. If I were the kind of person I'd like to be I'd encourage him, support him in any way I can and enjoy his 24 year old thoughts, perspectives and wisdom. I can learn a lot from that young man I raised. I think I'll take him for a cup of coffee at Starbucks ( he loves coffee) and listen to his youthful wisdom.

I could go on and one about the things I plan to do today to accomplish the purposes for day number one of my 23 day experiment. If you're not already bored...(you would become bored with the details.) But, what I am realizing in the first few hours of this "project" I've taken on is that this is how I should be living my life every day.

Here's a little word picture that is helping me learn this intentional mindset...
My wonderfully talented and wise husband, Thomas Burchill, has many young people approach him and ask him what they should do to get better at their instrument or they ask how can they become a successful professional musician. He patiently and very kindly tells them all the little things they should be practicing. Not on a "when I feel like it" or "when other things aren't interfering" basis - but the things they need to take care of every day- no matter what. Most of these people approach him with great enthusiasm about the great musician they intend to be or the big dream they want to accomplish. Then, when he explains the private time, sacrifice, faithful daily struggle in the practice room and the dedication it will take to get to their goal, I'd say 90% of them say they are too busy or they don't understand why they have to do all of the things he suggests. They were kind of hoping for the secret pill or the secret code for stardom. Many still think "I coulda, shoulda, woulda if I'd had the right connections, knew the right people, etc."

The reality of it is the 10% who have taken his advice are doing quite well musically. He has many, many former students who have won grammy awards, play with nationally known acts and have professional music careers. He would never "take credit" for any of their success. He just told them what he knew they needed to do. THEY did it.

Well, uh duh! I know what I need to do to reach my spiritual goals, my career goals, my personal goals, and my physical goals. I just need to do those things. No excuses, no waiting for the perfect day or for the situation to be "just right". I don't think there is going to be the perfect day to get started. So, I'm starting today.

By the way, one of the goals was to blog about this. So I just did. Join me in the 23 days of intentional living journey. Let's see where it takes us!

Soli Deo Gloria

PAM