So she makes some resolutions…

• The pursuit of more silence. Seriously, how unspecific can I be here? I started an entire blog almost two years ago in order to pursue more silence in my life and I still haven’t figured out how to do it yet. But, the journey I’ve been on has been teaching me that my idea of intentional 6 am silence is not always possible. What is possible is the holding up of my heart while I fold laundry and listen to the news and wash the dishes and read to my kids. So this is one of those resolutions that’s hard to measure but most important. My goal is an attitude of silence in the gritty daily stuff. I think that starts with heart preparation. So, maybe I should say my resolution is that I would pray with the Benedictines every morning when I open my eyes, “Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise,” and mean it.
• Running a 10K. Okay, again, more specifics. I mentioned around here that I’ve been running…very slowly…for up to 25 minutes at a time. Now, I’m stepping it up a notch because I think I might actually like it. Shocker! I know. I have two goals: I’m going to run a 5K in March (the 25th, to be exact) and a 10K sometime this summer. Trust me, I’m no marathon girl. And even the idea of a 5K is super intimidating to me and my pitiful asthmatic lungs. But, let’s do it, team.
• Pursuing a simpler, kinder closet. My goal? Owning less clothes and loving them more (while striving to avoid their being made in sweat shops) and giving clothes away with a glad heart. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I have a lot of clothes that I don’t love passionately, that were made cheaply and possibly in ways that are oppressive (child labor? unfair wages and hours?). I want to know my stuff in terms of what it means if my clothes were made in Cambodia. And I want to practice simplicity in my closet. So, this month I’m going to go through my clothes and get rid of anything that doesn’t either make my heart pitter patter or add an important element to my wardrobe. And then I want to practice deliberate shopping and wearing.
• Reading more fiction. I love novels. And I’m a big talker when it comes to the importance of narrative in our understanding of the gospel and scripture. I believe God loves story and I’ve always felt that I hear God’s voice more clearly in a story than I do in a “spiritual” book or bible study. So why haven’t I been reading novels lately?! It’s too easy to give myself a lot of nonfiction books and convince myself that they’re more important in the moment. But this year? They will not win out! I have goals. I’m going to read one fiction book every 2 months (so…6 in a year). And I’m going to read even if it means missing my favorite TV shows. Starting with:
  • The Red Tent by Anita Diamant– I’ve already told you I wanted to read this before but I’ve never gotten to it. But I’m already into the 4th chapter. Woohoo.
  • Kristin Lavransdatter  by Sigrid Undset — My dear friend Christina loved this trilogy so much that she actually bought the three books and mailed them to me a year ago. I believe her when she promises that they’re wonderful but I’ve just been too undisciplined to read them. Christina, watch out, because it’s gonna happen
  • To Kill a Mockingbird — Can you believe I’ve never read Harper Lee’s book? Who do I think I am? Who graduates with an undergrad and graduate degree in Lit and doesn’t read To Kill a Mockingbird? Who claims to love novels and doesn’t read To Kill a Mockingbird by the time she’s 32? For shame, Micha! Do not fear, friends. I’m putting this to rights.
  • One more. What should be my 6th book of fiction for the year? I want your opinions.
• Reading a poem a day. I mean sitting with it and working through it. Nothing crazy. But want poetry in my life in a more meaningful way. Maybe this is a simple way to do it.

What about you? What are your resolutions for these coming 12 months?