Share Four Somethings—January 2023
—Grace & Truth Linkup
Near the end of each month, I share four somethings at Jennifer’s. (This is her first month to host following Heather’s long run.)
Plus here’s my last month’s One Second Everyday video . . .
[click here if you can’t see the video]
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What I’m Loving
- VIDEO BABY MONITOR
When we started keeping our grandbabies for occasional overnight visits 5 years ago, I bought a new baby monitor. It worked fine for hearing them in the night if they cried or woke up, just like when our own daughters were babies.
But this Christmas my youngest daughter bought us a video version. We love not only hearing but now also seeing our little grandson as he sleeps in the crib.
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What I’m Reading
- SPIRITUAL MEMOIRS
This year I’m joining Lory for her Spiritual Memoir Reading Challenge. Lory has created twelve prompts to help us “expand our inner world by reading about the spiritual journeys of others.”
Her suggested categories take you on a tour of the major spiritualities of the world.
I’m starting with her first suggestion, a book that engages with the Hindu tradition, the popular Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda. While this book is one of the “100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century,” the Hindu journey is one of the least familiar ones to me.
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What I’m Learning
- WHY I PROCRASTINATE
I don’t typically consider myself a procrastinator. I’d rather get something done too soon rather than too late so I won’t have to worry about it any longer.
But it’s not totally true.
I notice I keep moving certain tasks off my to-do list from today to tomorrow to next week.
I’m looking for clues about why. Some of the tasks are boring, so I just don’t want to do them. I understand those.
But other tasks I procrastinate about are ones that require an emotional investment, and I wonder if I procrastinate about those because the risk feels too great. I want to get them perfect, so I delay doing them at all.
We all have blind spots. There are always more things to learn about ourselves. Why I put off certain tasks until later is something I’d like to better understand. And change.
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What I’m Eating
- CRUNCHY FOODS
After a difficult phone conversation ended yesterday, I found myself in the kitchen, looking in the pantry for something yummy to eat to make myself feel better.
I am proud that I turned around and went for a short walk instead.
But after the walk, I returned back to the kitchen.
And grabbed a can of Pringles. I only ate 4 or 5 chips. But still. It’s crunchy foods I’m drawn to when I eat for comfort or out of boredom. My favorite go-to crunchy food? Fritos Scoops Corn Chips. Yummy.
What’s your favorite comfort food?
I’m linking at these blog parties
Grace & Truth Featured Post
Have you ever taken a joy ride? Lauren Sparks is looking for a different kind of joy ride this year. Joy is her One Word for 2023.
Lauren says,
“I have put in a lot of work the last few years and I think God wants me to lighten up.”
Read all of Lauren’s post here at her blog, then link up your own blog posts below.
“Joy Ride: My Word of the Year”
Review the rules here about adding your most recent Christian Living posts and how to be the Featured Post. Visit all four hosts social media here or websites here: Maree Dee, Lisa notes, Lauren Sparks, Tammy Kennington.
Now Let’s Link Up!
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter
Comfort food is, typically, anything with cheese. And bread. You know, like a grilled cheese:) But mac and cheese works super well too. Glad I don’t keep either of those within reach in the pantry!! I’ve also seen myself procrastinating lately. I think this “retirement season” of life has fooled me into thinking that I always have tomorrow to get it done. Need to work on that, for sure. Oh, and that little guy’s laugh!!!
Cheese is one of my go-to foods as well. 🙂 And yes, it’s amazing how retirement season can be so tricky. We’ve had to make artificial deadlines for ourselves so we’ll get things done. 🙂
Loved your fun family video and seeing that adorable gran! Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your clan. Comfort food? Spoon bread, warm with butter melting on top. It’s my go-to. I am pretty sure that it is a Southern dish. Have a lovely weekend, Miss Lisa!
xo
Lynn
Spoon bread? Do tell, Lynn! That’s new to me. But I could eat bread as a complete meal, so I need to find out more.
Lisa, I always enjoy your 4 somethings. And while I can get very focused on tasks, even challenging ones, there are those that I procrastinate about. I, too, need to give the reasons more thought.
I’m very task-oriented, too, Donna. Maybe that’s why I stall on some of the more emotional tasks…you’re giving me more food for thought.
Dear Lisa,
How well does the Hindu spirituality link with the yoga? I have never been able to decide how far to explore that side of yoga (I guess I keep putting it off;).
Congratulations for breaking out of the moment. The fresh air and rhythms of movement are good for blowing the mood away. And you earned the Pringles.
Has Gretchen Rubin got a new project about spending time outside?
https://twitter.com/gretchenrubin/status/1618008142255636481
My goto comfort food is risotto Milanese. Even making it has become a comfort, thinking of all the gathering deliciousness.
I’ve never drawn the connection between my own yoga practice and Hinduism, but I can see how one could. The yoga I do is very Americanized. lol
Yes, Gretchen’s new challenge for ’23 is to spend 23 minutes outdoors everyday. I’ve personalized it to at least spend 5 minutes outdoors, at least for the winter months. 🙂
My favorite comfort foods are sweets. I like a bit a crunch too as in dark chocolate covered almonds. 🙂
I’m definitely a sweets person too. I did indulge last night in a chocolate mug cake. It’s the kind that comes in a box and only takes 1 minute to cook, but it is so delicious.
As always love this list. I never thought of getting a baby video for my house too. what fun….
Yesterday our little one spent the afternoon with us for his naptime. When he woke up, he just laid in the crib and played and sang all on his own as we watched in the other room on the video monitor. Such fun! 🙂
I’m a fellow procrastinator. If I don’t have all my ducks in a row and can’t do it perfectly, I put it off!
I do try to shake that perfectionistic tendency because it really can be a hindrance. I’m not that way about everything, but for some things I allow myself no room for error. It’s crazy because I wouldn’t hold anyone else to that standard.
Spiritual memoirs challenge….what a great way to learn about different practices. I imagine they will be very interesting! My comfort food are cookies. I try to make sure I have healthy, low-sugar, gluten-free ones in my fridge, so I don’t blow my sugar intake for the day!
I also love cookies as a go-to, but I confess mine are not the healthy kind like yours. 🙂 I often have a couple chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon for a little snack.
Interesting insights about procrastination. I am definitely a procrastinator, and the tasks I put off are ones that I don’t think I can finish in one go or seem “too big”. Learning the why behind things like that is probably a valuable key to overcoming a bad habit. Food for thought. Happy Saturday!
Yes, the “too big” factor definitely is a put-off for me, too, Kym. I have to remember to just take small bites to stay motivated and not be overwhelmed by those.
I always love your video recaps. My favorite comfort food is chocolate pudding. 🙂
Thanks, Sarah. The videos are fun for me to look back on to remember the special and the ordinary moments of the month.
I always enjoy your 4 somethings, Lisa. Especially your 1 second videos. 🙂 And oh, stopping at 4 or 5 chips, that takes will power! Love and blessings to you!
Well, I sometimes eat those 4 or 5 chips more than once a day though. lol. So don’t let me fool you thinking I have tons of willpower! 🙂
Lisa, you are indeed a woman after my own heart. Fritos Scoops are my ABSOLUTE favorite! I also wrote about comfort food in my Four Somethings for next week. You’ll have to let me know what you think of my current go-to. 🙂 Your journey to discover why you procrastinate intrigues me, as I have the same tendency. Hugs, friend.
I love that we both are Scoops fans! Who knew we had that in common too? 🙂 There was a season during the pandemic when I couldn’t find them at the store; it made me appreciate them even more.
Apple butter is something I haven’t had in a LONG while! I don’t know if I would still like it, but I guess what’s not to like? What a wonderful memory of your mother making it.
I’m a big crunchy foods comfort eater, especially salty/crunchy. I think that is great insight about why you procrastinate – you are one step closer to figuring it all out.
I wonder what our leaning toward salty/crunchy says about us, Amy? 🙂 I’m not saying I don’t also enjoy sweets and fats though. lol.
I’m so happy you’re joining in with the Spiritual Memoir challenge. I finished the Autobiography of a Yogi and I found it quite challenging indeed. It will be interesting to compare notes with you and Laurie.
Crunchy salty foods are my snack craving too. Yum.
I finished The Autobiography of a Yogi this weekend. I’m not sure I know how to sum it up yet! I thought I knew a decent amount the Hindu religion, but after reading the book I realized I didn’t know as much as I thought. We live very near a Hindu temple and they have always been very gracious to allow us inside to visit and learn more about them.
That’s wonderful that you have that opportunity. I don’t know how to sum up my thoughts about the book either — it raised some red flags for me, but I want to be respectful to those who find it inspiring. I’ll try to post something that may be a springboard for discussion.
Ah, yes, procrastination, the great enemy! I am also a person who likes to get things done. I tend to procrastinate on things that seem difficult or time-consuming…I don’t really have a favorite comfort food.
I have a list of tasks that I keep pushing off until tomorrow, tomorrow. But often if I’ll just start them, they don’t even take that long. I think I have a fear that they’ll take much longer than they really will.
I can’t say I have a favourite comfort food Lisa but a cup of tea is always comforting for me.
blessings, Jennifer
Then your blog name is very fitting for you, Jennifer. I’m not a tea or a coffee drinker, but I do love a Diet Coke or Diet Dr Pepper in the afternoon as a treat. 🙂
My procrastination goes in spurts. It comes and goes, more often than not I’m afraid to admit. I loved your 1 second video. Humm, my go to comfort food would have to be warm pretzel’s and cheese to dip. I am a big fan of chips and dips too though.
Visiting today from Share Four Something’s #17
We had the best pretzel and cheese dip at an Auburn basketball game last fall. You’re making me hungry for one again! It’s not a treat I usually get unless we’re at a sporting event.
Your video is so nice to watch – I’m sure watching the ‘grands’ on the monitor must provide some really precious moments too!
Looking forward to reading your review of the book, especially how the Indian/Hindu ideas appeal to you.
My comfort food is banana chips! The Indian ones are fried in coconut oil.
I’d never put you down as being someone who procrastinates, Lisa, so it’s interesting to read this insight. I’m a serial procrastinator – so your sharing is going to make me think more deeply about how boredom and fear might play a role.
It is interesting to watch the video monitor to see how the little one likes to play before he falls asleep and to play for awhile after he wakes up. 🙂
I finished Autobiography of a Yogi last week and found it interesting and also confusing. We have a Hindu temple within eyesight of our house and I have visited there several times through the years as a cultural education. The priests onsite are always very kind and open. So I thought I knew a bit about Hinduism, but the book showed me a lot I was unaware of, especially the mystical side of it. I’m sure you know so very much!
Cute little post!