A snapshot into my life right now would reveal that I am doing the following (among other things):- Learning Spanish
- Attending Financial Peace University
- Reading Perfectly Yourself
- Studying Resisting Happiness in a small group
- Singing with 20 ladies
- Working a second job
- Keeping a holy hour at church
These activities are different and varied, but they all have 2 things in common. They take time, and they require a change in my behavior. Behavior modification. That sounds painful, doesn't it? When I hear those words, I picture an iron gate clanging shut, as if I were locked up or imprisoned. It can evoke images of difficulty or rigidity. But if I want to participate in and succeed at these activities, I must embrace (or at least work on) behavior modification. For instance:
- I must do my homework, rather than watch TV.
- I need to create and follow a budget, rather than wonder where my money goes.
- I have to make time to read the books that will make me a better person and help me achieve my goal of Heaven. This also means taking time to reflect and be silent.
- I have to commit to practicing and being present at rehearsals and performances.
- I will be consistent in responding to the duties of my job, instead of waiting until the last minute and hoping things get done.
- I desire to improve my prayer life and act counter-culturally, spending time in prayer and listening to God.
All of these actions take time and require me to do more (sometimes much more) than the minimum. I admit, it's a lot easier to come home, plop in front of the TV (or Amazon Prime, in my case), and browse the internet or waste time on electronic devices while mindlessly snacking. An occasional 'veg-out' time is acceptable, but a regular routine such as this leads to dissatisfaction, apathy and stagnation.
