Last night I walked outside to check the mail. The kids were in bed. It was dark. I could see down the hill and over the lake. Lights were twinkling, dogs were barking and far away cars were breezing by. It was still warm, but there was a nice cool breeze under the heat. Just by closing that front door I felt like I was in a different world. And suddenly I wanted to walk. Not walk away. Just walk around. I wanted to stay in that quiet warm air and just be alone.
So I got a crazy idea. What if I woke up IN THE MORNING while it was STILL DARK and walked? I know. You’re shocked. It’s highly unusual for people to acutally, you know, exercise. And wake up in the morning.
Seriously, I’ve had such a hard time with my “new year’s resolution” to get up before the kids. I read Inspired to Action and I so want to be that person! But I cannot make myself get up at 5am (because Asa usually wakes up between 6 and 6:30) to read my Bible, take a shower or exercise. All I can think about is if I’m going to wake him up early by being too loud or how warm my bed is or if I should be cleaning instead. I’m too stressed out sitting in my house!
So, what if I could get away from it all? What if I could walk out the door and shut it behind me? What if I didn’t have to think about if Asa woke up early? What if I didn’t have to worry about making too much noise while I took a shower or rifled through my books or turned on my computer?
I’m thinking (THINKING, mind you) about getting up while it is still dark, slipping on my shoes, grabbing my iPod and walking out of the house. I’m not trying to do a Couch to 5K or anything. I just need to be awake before my kids yank me out of bed. And if I could find something good to listen to on my iPod…something to feed my spirit while I stretch my body. Well, it might be a win-win.
Here’s where I need your help: what should I listen to? I don’t really get inspired by music. And if I did, my husband has got our iTunes filled to the brim. I would totally love a fiction book, but they aren’t always the most edifying things. I was thinking of maybe a podcast or a non-fiction book that would be encouraging. Not something like break-free-of-your-inner-demons or come-to-grips-with-your-terrible-sins. I don’t want to be sobbing down the street. Just something that would speak Life into mine. I’ve never subscribed to a podcast before. So, any suggestions?
Help! I need some alone time and I think I might (MIGHT) be able to do this!
Jessica Turner says
A great non-fiction book I just read was The Blue Cotton Gown. It is amazing. Really compelling. I couldn’t put it down.
.-= Jessica Turner´s last blog ..TWO Free Canvases =-.
Jessica Turner says
You could always listen to Hear No Evil by this guy I know – Matthew Paul Turner. π
.-= Jessica Turner´s last blog ..TWO Free Canvases =-.
Allison says
This is what I do to exercise! I’m up at 5:30 3 days week, out the door to the Y, and back by the time the kiddo wakes up and hubby leaves for work. It feels great.
I don’t have any podcast suggestions, but a great fiction book I’m reading is The Help. I think you would enjoy it.
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Green Bean Victory =-.
Tricia says
Focus on the Family has some great podcasts!
Kat @ Inspired To Action says
First of all, I’m totally honored you read my blog.
Second, I’m still gasping for air at this statement, “I donβt really get inspired by music. ” How can this be?!
If you read my post today, you know this is a very difficult concept to grasp. π
In any case, I’ve been listening to audiobooks a lot while I run. Francine Rivers, Seth Godin, and Stephen Covey’s 7 Habiits book. I also like listening to various TED talks – there’s a TED podcast too. I recently downloaded a Francis Chan podcast and really enjoyed it.
Sometimes, I’ll also just listen to my favorite movies while I run.
I hope that helps. And if you ever need music recommendations…let me know. π
.-= Kat @ Inspired To Action´s last blog ..What A Grammy Winning Millionaire Can Teach You About Motherhood =-.
Catie says
I really, really like James MacDonald http://www.walkintheword.com I like Joyce Meyer too! Everytime I listen to her I feel like I could conquer anything!! π Books are nice too! I totally can’t think of the site right now, but it’s a link from the library system where you can download books for free. If I think of it, or find it I’ll let you know! π
.-= Catie´s last blog ..A Day At The Zoo =-.
September says
Everyone is different, hmmm…for me if I’m exercising inside it’s a chance to watch tv (and that’s the *only* time I watch my tv, so it’s not like it’s to excess). When I’m outside I really enjoy the quiet, there’s so much in my life going on that I love that hour and a half or so of total quiet (well, except for cars, lol) to think of nothing but my own thoughts…ah, what a luxury!
As for books, I’ve been going through mine to purge and have recently re-read two that I had really enjoyed, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” by Randal Balmer (would fall more under sociology of religion category) and “Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed” by Philip Hallie–I LOVE this book, and if you enjoy history at all I highly recommend it. It’s by a Jewish ethicist discussing a small village in France who hid and smuggled thousands of Jews during WWII.
MrsBranham says
Hi Friend! I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who doesn’t have it all together- particularly in the morning.
I love some coldplay while I run but if no music for you, then maybe John Piper’s Desiring God resources – http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Feeds/
or Tim Keller of Redeemer Pres in Manhattan – http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/ (some of its free but not all)
or I might be biased but I like my pastor. Tullian Tchividjian of Coral Ridge Pres. I highly recommend his series on Jonah. http://crpc.org/resources/sermons
I hope you do get to take walks. I actually just started jogging in the evening just after I put Isabelle to bed. I hate every step, but I feel surprisingly good after. (Don’t tell my husband that he was right.)
π Smiles and Hugs from Florida- Erin
Cat says
This is so strange, I was thinking about the EXACT same thing this past week when I was stuck awake until nearly 6am. Thinking how nice it would be to go to bed early and wake up at sunrise and just go walk and enjoy the time alone, listen to the birds, the sprinklers, the wind through the trees … and you know what, I’m going to do it. I just need to get my internal clock turned around.
.-= Cat´s last blog ..59 Reasons to Love the Boon Trio Animal Bag =-.
sarah says
I love to listen to Rob Bell’s podcasts from Mars Hill, I enjoy listening to him and the way he says certain words like “resurrection” it is mildly amusing and keeps my attention.
.-= sarah´s last blog ..Top Ten Favorite TV Shows =-.
Becca - Our Crazy Boys says
Grammar Girl is fun… and entertaining. And she has a bunch of friends, too – Make it Green Girl, Money Girl…
Hillary @ The Other Mama says
I love all the ideas listed- good ones. And have to tell you that I never felt better than the years that I got up and ran early in the morning. sadly, right now I’m still awake and working early in the morning, but it was certainly one of my favorite things to do! Go for it!
.-= Hillary @ The Other Mama´s last blog ..The Bigger the Boys =-.
Lisa @ Simplified Saving says
I’ve been listening to sermons on Ephesians from Grace Bible Church in Tempe, AZ and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them. http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-bible-church-in-tempe-az/id213009027 I also like listening to audiobooks and there are lots of great Christian audiobook available. I particularly like Christian chick-lit authors like Kristen Billerbeck and Melody Carlson. I like books that are funny and engrossing while I exercise! Hope that helps!
.-= Lisa @ Simplified Saving´s last blog ..Today Is Mega Swagbucks Day! =-.
sarahmamaoftwo says
Amanda….love this idea!!
You have inspire me to do the same — what you wrote is exactly how i feel. i get up every morning at 5am have Devos, work out, and shower. i too worry until 6:30am that i will wake the kiddos. (your words spoke right to me) WHAT A FAB idea!! THANK You. i am going to TRY to walk a few times a week.
i am going to try to walk in silence – not that you should…the discipline of silence is something i have felt the Lord cultivating in me for awhile now. What better time than while walking. After all in a day filled with noise and sound the nearest thing to a place of quietness is the restroom! Hahaha, crazy yet true. i want to come to a place where i can live comfortably with the sounds of silence. With my kiddos 2 & 3 i have a feeling ‘that’ life is a ways off. *smile* Maybe i can catch a glimpse of it while i walk?! i wish you the best Amanda – happy walking!!
Love your blog. Thanks for writing! sg
.-= sarahmamaoftwo´s last blog ..The truth about "SELF-esteem"…Part Three – II Timothy 3:1-2 =-.
Jessica Fernandez says
I too need to walk outside:) I would recommend audio books/sermons that challenge your mind and spirit. Tedd Tripp has some amazing audios on training our children for God’s glory. My husband is the mp3 finder. I am horrible about linking stuff so just Google the audios…lol I’m sure it’s a free download if you have trouble let me know. Also check out Dr John MacArthur from Grace Community Church in California. Grace to you dot com Just remember whatever you do, do all for the glory of God. 1cor 10:31
Amber @ Because Babies Grow Up says
Oh, Amanda…I’m with you about the music. I love it for energetic times of the day or for teaching the girls actions and body parts, but when it comes to music for me, I’ll pick quiet almost every time. The last thing I chose for me was Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson and I enjoyed it on a long drive. You’ve inspired me to switch up my evening routine of staying up past midnight and being totally unproductive to early to bed, early to rise and getting outside.
.-= Amber @ Because Babies Grow Up´s last blog ..Illiterate At Sixteen =-.
Dillon Oliveri says
What a wonderful blog post! I am so delighted you thought to publish it.
Stuart Saysana says
Awesome article. I just stumbled upon your web-site and needed to convey that I have genuinely cherished reading your internet site posts. Anyways Iβll probably be opting-in to your RSS.
obbergton says
I like this web site so much, saved to fav. “I don’t care what is written about me so long as it isn’t true.” by Dorothy Parker.