Before I get too far telling you about my new Habitattoo, here’s a recap of where I am currently on my former HT endeavors:
HT 1: Revive Alive – Unfortunately, I am doing horribly with this one. I severely sprained my left ankle playing volleyball over five weeks ago and am still unable to do much. Sharp pain and disabling weakness resides in my foot the majority of the time, making a workout routine impossible. The desire to exercise is still there, but the ability is improving much too slowly. I might end up having to REVIVE “Revive Alive”
HT 2: Generous City – Proudly, I have continued to live a life of generosity, investing my time, talents and money in the lives of others. For example, we had really bad service the other night while celebrating my wife’s birthday. Instead of giving the waitress what she deserved, we gave her a tip that exceeded her attentiveness. Additionally, I remember seeing our local fire department seeking donations the other day and, without hesitation, I gave them a gift. It is better to give than receive……and I’m still learning that.
HT 3: Devoted – Lizbeth and I are still having devotions almost daily. I say “almost” because we sometimes don’t make the free time at the same time. We do always make up any missed devotions by doubling-up the next day. Sharing this time with my beautiful bride is a powerful and intimate moment each day for me.
HT 4: Dunkin Bucks No Moe – Yesterday was my last day and I have successfully finished what I sought to do: establish a routine of eating breakfast/lunch at home or in a plastic baggie. I joked that I would celebrate by eating a great lunch at Moe’s, but instead I brought some hot dogs to nuke. I guess I’m in some kind of habit.
And, a pre-HT: Biting Nails – It has been almost a year since the last time bit my nails. It is amazing how a lifelong bad habit has been eliminated! I hope you will be encouraged to join me in knocking out YOUR bad habits or creating good habits.
Now, on to my fifth Habitattoo challenge which I’m titling “Lord Of The Reads”.
I do not like to read books. Reading for me is more of a chore or a necessary evil to gain information and I’ve developed really bad habits over the course of my life. I can remember being forced during my late elementary years to read literature that really didn’t motivate me; things like Civil War descriptions, required reading or legendary classics that paled in comparison to my electronic gadgets or my Star Wars figures. The only volumes that I really enjoyed during these years were “The Chronicles Of Narnia” and “A Wrinkle In Time”.
During my junior high/high school period, I learned that I could quite easily master most of my classes without even cracking open a book or by simply skimming to find answers. These poor study habits were magnified at college, where laziness fueled the absence of great reading skills. As a result, mediocrity and failure became the norm.
I’m embarrassed to say that I cannot remember the last book that I’ve completed. My shelves and coffee tables are full of books that were started, but never finished. This is a routine that has to end. It’s not that I lose interest; I’ve just formed such bad habits of literary sluggishness. Fortunately (and ironically) my wife and daughters are avid readers and Lizbeth is an accomplished high school reading teacher. So, here’s what I’m going to do.
Over the next twenty-one days, I’m going to spend thirty minutes per day reading. Today, I will choose a book from my mighty library of neglected manuscripts and begin again at chapter one. When that one is finished, I will move on to another. Hopefully, reading will become enjoyable, inspirational, motivational and a lifelong pursuit.
More tomorrow.
