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Day 204: Advent and Inner Peace

Beautiful morning! Cold, but beautiful!

I am getting ready to go to Mass. 

Today is the first day of Advent.

"In the Catholic Church, Advent is a period of preparation, extending over four Sundays, before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, "to come to," and refers to the coming of Christ." http://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/Advent.htm

"Advent was first recorded about 380AD in Spain. By the 6th century, there are records of monks in Tours (in France) holding a pre-Christmas fast. By end of the 6th century, the four Sundays before Christmas had commonly become known as Advent Sundays." http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/advent.shtml

For me, Advent is a time for self-examination. To prepare myself for Jesus to come into my life (again).  I do a lot of self-examination. But I think I look at myself more honestly at this time of year. Perhaps, because of the cold, the darkness, and the pressure from our culture to be jolly and deck the halls and buy, buy, buy!  It takes a lot of self control to make it through in one piece, with inner peace, a smile and money in the bank to make it through!

Anyway, after Mass I will go to the gym.  Yesterday I did 2.25 miles in 30 minutes on the
eliptical trainer.

I am trying to muster up enough courage to attend a yoga class tomorrow. I have a lot on my mind. Planning a student piano recital, and preparing for a couple of performances of my chamber group and the choir I accompany.

Not to mention shopping for Christmas gifts. I think I will do most of that online.

But I am trying to stay focused and mindful. This season can be stressful and chaotic. Which is contrary to what it is really supposed to be about. 

Wonder. Love. Awe. Generosity.  All that good stuff.

By avoiding the crowds and keeping hold of my inner peace, I just might make it through!

This daily blog helps me keep tabs on myself.

The exercise has moved to the top of my list of priorities. It keeps me sane.


Here's my new list:

  1. Exercise
  2. Prayer
  3. Blog
  4. Journal
  5. Practice Piano
  6. Plan healthy meals
  7. Sleep 8 hours a night
  8. Drink extra water
  9. Keep up with daily household tasks
  10. Be kind and smile at people! 
It's hard to put those in order. They are equally important.  Perhaps prayer should be number one. But I put exercise first, because my head doesn't seem to quite stay put if I don't get daily exercise in.

On that note, I am off!

I also plan on visiting the library today. I only have one student, so I do have some breathing space.

Happy Sunday! :)

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