Rhythms 2020 – One Little Word check in

5 min read

We are one quarter through the year already. I thought it would be a good time to check in with my goals (I will do that next week) and my one little word for the year. My word for 2020 is RHYTHM. You can read about my motivations for wanting to focus on my rhythms for 2020 here. 

So far 2020 was definitely not what I expected. But I guess no one expected this. I am praying that wherever you are, you and your family are well. 

Edd and I are doing fine, enjoying life in our 54 square metre apartment, ha! I have been positively surprised how little arguments we have had seeing that we are basically spending 24 hours in the same room with each other these days. 

Rhythms vs. Anxiety

It is interesting to watch life come to halt everywhere. I mean, in Berlin life never really comes to a halt but it has seriously slowed down. All the change, the uncertainty, the strange atmosphere leaves me with a weird feeling. Slightly anxious and unsettled. 

In the midst of these feelings I am clinging to my word for the year more than ever. Rhythms are what keeps me sane these days. I have always loved rhythms and routines but now I feel like I know what they are really for.

Rhythms are an anchor in the midst of the storm. 

They restore a sense of normalcy. They remind me of the fact that there are things that do not change, that cannot be shaken. The sun rose and set everyday before all this happened and it will do so long after this is all over.

God has been faithful to his people before the corona virus existed and he will remain faithful. 

What my rhythms look like right now

Morning routine

The most important rhythm for me is my morning routine. I am pretty rigorous in sticking with it. Especially now, with the forced home office situation, getting up early each morning during the week before Edd is up really helps me. I make coffee, spend a few moments in the quiet and then journal my prayers and read the Bible. I just finished Joshua in the chronological Bible plan. If I have time I also read some of the suggested passages from the current week’s liturgies. 

This is so life-giving to me. I know that for people with kids this is a lot harder to do, but if you are in a position where you can take some time in the morning, to be alone with God I would highly, highly recommend it.

Sabbath

A few weeks ago, Edd and I started getting serious about Sabbath. You guys. It is changing our lives, I am not kidding. Friday night to Saturday night we dedicate 24 hours to the attempt to stop. Stop working, stop worrying, stop doing. 24 hours to just be. To rest, to delight, to worship. 

I have been listening to lots of sermons on the Sabbath and started to do some reading and studying on the subject and I am hoping to write a whole blog post on the topic, so stay tuned.

Moving & meditating

One of my goals for this year was to get back to being serious about running. It’s been a mixed success but I have been doing quite a bit of running these last two weeks which has been so helpful.

The rhythmic movement of putting one foot in front of the other and feeling the pounding of my heart are helping me to be less in my head. To say it with Jess Connollys words: I am fighting fear with my soul and with my body.

The good thing about this whole situation is that my favourite yoga teacher, Natalie Temple is doing classes via zoom and I can join in from Germany. The connection of movement and breath really helps me to settle down, to feel connected to myself again.

What I am learning

I don’t understand this situation, but I am so grateful for every good habit I established in seasons where I had the capacity and margin to stretch and discipline myself. 

However I am also learning that I have a love for rules, for structure, routine. All good things, but not if they’re taken too far. But rhythms aren’t rules. An interesting rhythm sometimes changes, or skips a beat. It’s moving and evolving. In this season I am grateful for structure but I want to be open and malleable to the Spirit. I want to be ready to be changed and thrown off kilter if need be. 

What about you?

What is helping you to cope in this season? Is there anything you are learning about life or yourself? I would love to hear about it, feel free to leave a comment or send me a message. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like someone to talk to or need someone to pray for you.

May God be with you in this season in his kindness and grace. 

Stay bright and bold, my friend.