The Life You've Always Wanted

New book alert. This one's not a novel though -- it's a self helper. oh oh...here we go. The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg. Subtitle: (I'm truly a sucker for sub titles) spiritual disciplines for ordinary people.

I'm about 5 pages into it. Ha. But I'm already writing away in the margins...

I am called to become the person God had in mind when he originally designed me. That is what is behind Kierkegaard's wonderful prayer, "And now Lord, with your help I shall become myself." This book is about spiritual growth...We are called by God to live as our uniquely created selves--our temperament, our gene pool, our history. But to grow spiritually means to live increasingly as Jesus would in our unique place -- to perceive what Jesus would perceive if he looked through our eyes, to think what he would think, to feel what he would feel, and therefore to do what he would do. So far so good, eh? And it sounds SO like the quote from eat pray love that I quoted on 1.14.08. Such different sources, and yet the themes are oddly connected.

It's snowing again. Truly lovely out there. Except the neighbor's dog is loose, so Hank keeps trudging by...so there are pathways all through the loveliness. (that's ok...we love Hank and Georgine -- a very pleasant addition to the list of things we love about our new home) Boomer is next to me snoring on his sheepskin atop an ottoman. Jake is downstairs JAMMIN on his electric guitar. In a stroke of genius I asked him if he'd like to set up a guitar *studio* in Joey's room while Joey's at school (Joey leaves nothing in the room except a futon) and Jake jumped at it. Now the jammin' is downstairs. [I've learned a few tricks from the first three kids, eh? ] Anna is on the computer down there, likely instant messaging with the whole freshman class. Emily is out at John's house, who she insists is JUST A FRIEND. Hmmmm. Frank is snowed in in Fond du Lac...decided not to try the "1.5 hour on a good day commute " tonight...which was wise as we might get 7 inches. And so...I'm a blogging, reading, and finishing a glass of sirah. Soon, very soon, I will become wonder woman and put away the soup, rice, load the dishwasher, put the whites in the dryer and the darks in the washer, and then go downstairs to the *dreadmill* for 30 minutes while I watch Gilmore Girls. (I'm about half way through season two. Delightfully light, perfect for the dreadmill kinda chick flick dvd's) Then a shower and I'll be in bed with colin cowie. Don't worry, I'm thinking he's gay. (for those of you who didn't read yesterday's blog...he wrote a book on home and life management...)
By the way, colin did inspire me to empty my walk in closet, buy some hanging canvas sweater and shoe shelves, and spend 4 hours putting it all back together on Saturday. We each have a walk in closet in the master *suite* (oooooo...doesn't that sound decadent?) and while I've loved and adored mine since day one, I had not really "gracied" it. Now it is ready for photos. The clothes poles and the one permanent stack of shelving were already there, but I added clear boxes to organize and divide the shelves, and the new canvas shelves, and it is so divine now. The one drawer has a blue velvet divided jewelry storage unit...so even my jewelry is organized. The closet is big enough to dress in (and I do) and now it is so "colin cowie chic" (CCC) I might have to add a chair so I can just sit in there and admire it. Oh...and I took a large, very large, overflowing box of clothes to Goodwill on Sunday. (dance of joy) Even some purses. (I collect purses...that's a nice way to describe my addiction) Anyhow, colin is a good inspiring man, even if he did write a chapter on hiring household help which left me feel underprivileged and overworked...

Enough rambling. Off to clean up the kitchen. Oh...by the way...the four butter sticks are soft now. I haven't made the chocolate chip cookies yet...but I will...