Jerusalem Greer

The Theology of Place, Liturgical Shenanigans, Farm Living

one little change

By 4 Comments

If you have not been over to visit Annalea Hart’s blog you need too. It is adorable, sweet and inspiring. Everything I love in a blog and cute kids to boot. I mean, just look at these precious pictures of her playroom, nursery and living room.
Monday,  Annalea posted a new “project” called one little change.
in her words “one little change is about seeing lasting difference and making real progress on the big goals in life by being faithful in small monthly changes.”
I could not have said it better myself.
When I read Annalea’s post on Monday, I knew I had to share this idea, because I can personally vouch for what One Little Change can accomplish.

Earlier this month I saw my family and myself spiraling out of control.

All the rest and peace we had found during the Christmas break went right down the toilet after one day back at school and work. Cranky, short tempered, withdrawn, frazzled. This was the picture of every member of my household, with myself as the poster child. And I had no idea why.
The next night, after another disastrous and dissatisfying day, I crawled into my comfy bed well before my usual bedtime, completely at the end of my rope. I am pretty sure I mumbled-prayed something like “Help me please, I have no idea what to do” as  I put on my face mask, turned on some music and laid still, waiting to fall asleep. But instead of sleep came an epiphany. I do not know any better way to explain it.
My whole body was flooded with warmth and I knew exactly what we needed to do.
What I needed to do.
The next morning I got up, I went to work and I wrote what we now refer to as The Manifesto (or The New Greer Order.) Sweet Man will tell you that there were lots of great points and bullet points in that document, but I think the thing we all agree on in hindsight that the one change that could be has turned out to be  the Main Thing that All Other Things Hinge On is this one little change in our daily routine:
 
I get up one hour before everyone else.

 

 

 
1. American Airlines Watch Aeroclock – Travel Alarm Clock #1A, 2. Untitled, 3. Time Print, 4. cuckoo clock, 5. Turquoise Solar Clock, 6. tick tock ,chicken clock, 7. Our Little Nest, 8. White Rabbit Alarm Brooch, 9. Red clock

Now this may not seem drastic to you, but it is drastic to us. Maybe you always get up an hour before you absolutely have to.Before your kids and your spouse. Maybe your mornings have not been defined by trying to beat the clock and never winning.  Maybe you just pop up at dawn and always have. But this is not, and never has been true of me.  And yet I have done with myself, what I could never seem to do with my infants;
I have put myself on a schedule. Radical, I know.


 The positive effects of me having an hour to write/think/pray/shower/drink coffee in silence on the overall temperament of my household in the morning and our well being throughout the entire day is something that I cannot describe, but it is beautiful and healing and we are all so much better for it.
  Essentially I have found a way to follow that great old piece of airline wisdom:

I have put my own oxygen mask on first.

 



If you would like to make One Little Change grab Annalea’s button and pass it on.
And whatever you do, you might want to grab that oxygen mask first.
 

Comments

  2. What is that saying? If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! LOL I'm glad this is working for you. My kids are older so sleeping past everyone leaving for work and school has worked for me!

    Reply

  3. I agree! It is so hard for me though. I always want to get up earlier than my 2 girls to pray, drink a cup of coffee, get dressed in peace and just enjoy the quiet. Lately it has been really difficult as I dread getting out of bed early. Reading your post has inspired me to try again.
    Jerusalem – I love your blog and have for years. Thanks for doing what you do!

    Reply

  4. you are so kind. thank you!

    um, i love the oxygen mask analogy. waking up early might just be one of my february changes. although i think it will be so good for me, i am not very excited about it. 🙂

    thanks for linking up. if you want to add your post to the linky list, it will be open until sunday evening.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Next
Close
Test Caption
Test Description goes like this