How is life?

Life begins at forty.

It's a quote I've heard.  

I think what is meant...is that you're getting into the rhythm of your life when you are in your forties. You understand money better (sometimes.) Maybe you are able to do a 401k, maybe you are farther down the path of your job or career. Maybe you understand relationships better, friend or lover or familial. I think the statement is true, at least in some regard, for all.  You have at least learned a thing or two in the last twenty years that will aid you in the future.  You at least know what to avoid, if not what to embrace, thereby, you are getting into the rhythm. 

I am encountering another click around the sun this week. 

Today, my new ENT prescribed me a round of steroids because my uvula is in worse shape than an aged man (read: entirely too large - can you even swallow? Also read: your husband must love you if he can handle the snoring that led you to this point. He really does.) and my poor deviated septum (which of my brother's broke my nose as a child?) and enlarged turbinates give me a slim chance of breathing. 

I am a week into giving up my favorite beverages. Coffee and Diet Coke (everything carbonated). RIP to my best pals.  You brought me joy when I ate a slice of za and when I greeted the day or closed the day or just needed a friend.  In my hands you were the present to help me with the present.  It hasn't been too bad, actually, but it is a conscious decision to choose something else.  Mostly, it was habit and not need, mostly it was a desire.  This is not necessarily a permanent choice and this is not a declaration of: this is my resolution for a new me because it's January.  This is: I'm aged (rather, in my rhythm) and heartburn is literally killing me and so I'm giving this a go to see if the change helps and if I want to continue pursuit. 

I am on day 18 of a 60 day plan to read scripture every day.  Can I tell you how many days I failed already? Can I tell you? At least 8. I "catch up" but it's still an "L" in my rhythm.  Schedule your priorities, that's the ticket, and here I sit, not scheduling it.  Why is it so hard to read scripture? Why is it so hard to want to hear Jesus talking to me? Because everything else is so loud. Because I allow it.  I put my kids wanting, finally, to speak to me above that time. I put extra sleep above it. I put mealtimes above it because darn it, it's hard to think of an alternate beverage. 

I am on a plan to walk 2-3 miles per day around the neighborhood(s).  Texas is going to be my jam because I LOVE this. I love this so much. Walking and looking and seeing and smelling (darn it, someone is grilling EVERY day and why does it smell SO good down here?! They are killing me) and enjoying being outside daily in a way I never have before.   Guess what, I'm getting smarter, audio sermons and scripture.  Loving so, so much this time for a small bit of health but to enjoy God, the scenery/landscapes and any family member that chooses to join.  In Winter! I've acclimated already... so quick....so lame. 

A rhythm....

Life is full of them. 

Life begins at forty. Or changes begin at forty. 

For me the rhythm has been to look ahead to foresee all that might lay in wait. Planning always for "when work slows down," or "when my child wants to engage," or "when I have this dream kitchen," or "when I find the kindred spirit whom my heart will love." 

I have wasted time in the fruitless pursuit of the "when" that never comes.  

Life begins when you're forty.

In this rhythm I am setting, I am swinging for the fences.  (Baseball peeps, you know what that means?)  

Live. With everything. 

No holds barred. Knock on the child's door. Pick up that Bible again. Walk out your front door. See the doctor regularly and, yes, do the allergy testing AGAIN and take the therapy or have surgery on your nose, do it.  Your husband, your uvula, your kids, your soul, your body and mind will feel abundant. 

This is the life, the rhythm, to which you have been called.  Abundant life while in this temporary place (read: Texas or Earth.). I'm really excited about this phase. 

I feel tired because I haven't slept well in ages and yet not so, because these steroids are the bomb diggity.  But here I must close....

We only have so many clicks around the sun. I am so conscious of this every January.  I have repeatedly failed to be consistent in many areas of my life. 

Abundant life is mine for the taking.  I choose and sacrifice and make the moments in preparation for what God has in store. 

This rhythm, my life...grateful for every year I am given. One day, all these things mentioned will amount to a hill of beans save this....my soul. 

It lives forever and will be one day in the presence of Jesus.  Angela. For the love. Do this part well. This next click, please, do it well.