The most difficult part of any challenge or big project is getting started. I like the planning phase. I can design a great plan with motivational quotes, spreadsheets, and develop a great step-by-step plan to get a project done. That is the fun part. But many of my projects rarely get past the planning phase.
I spent the day yesterday with my family in Chinatown in Houston. We spent most of our time around the Hong Kong Market and visiting some of the stores in the area and, of course, eating. I was reminded of an old Chinese proverb. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Too often I plan so much and get focused on the big plan and the goal that I forget to take that first step. I feel like I am very busy because I have spent a lot of time thinking and planning, but in reality, I have not even taken the first step. I am still standing at the starting line feeling overwhelmed by all the steps I must take to complete the journey.
Today is another day in the challenge to build a stronger foundation for my life. I am trying to not overcomplicate things like I usually do. The power of taking that first step and to keep taking a step every day grows into new habits that build that foundation. Small habits will build into larger character traits.
Project for today: Read Proverbs 2, spend at least 15 minutes in quiet prayer time, and exercise. For me, I’ve started with some basic exercises. I have started with 45-second planks and am adding 5 seconds a day. (I had planned to start with 60 seconds, but as I was going, 45 seemed like a good place to stop.) I walked a couple of miles, mostly around Chinatown, so it wasn’t a very fast walk. It was more of a slow stroll. Don’t forget to stretch to improve your flexibility and the resiliency of your foundation. One last thing, write in your journal about what God is speaking to you today through Proverbs and your quiet time. And, of course, most importantly, have fun.
