I’m a rhythm girlie.
I have a rhythm for everything, and I’m not ashamed. I have a grocery shopping rhythm (Sunday at dinner time is when Trader Joe’s seems to be the most empty), a gratitude rhythm (every morning, I list at least five things), and workout rhythms that I’m pretty fastidious about (weights on M/W/F, running on Tuesday, yoga on Thursday).
But there’s one rhythm in my life that is currently the most important because it’s a gateway rhythm—a habit that keeps me healthy in multiple areas.
And it is (drumroll)... walking my son, Cannon, to school.
It’s nothing spectacular. It’s a half-mile walk in the morning and a half-mile walk home.
But it’s a rhythm that changes the way I live the night before, and the morning of, and it usually shifts and catapults my day in a different and more life-giving direction.
My kids have gone to this same school, which is a half-mile away from our house, for ten years, and for most of those years, I’ve driven them to drop them off in the morning before I go to work or the gym. It’s convenient, quick, and close!
But a year ago Cannon started asking to walk to school, and I realized that slowing down just enough to walk in the mornings meant I had to have a much more intentional evening. It meant I got a little more quality time with him. It gave me a shot of vitamin D and fresh air in the morning. And usually, the short walk to school lulled me into a longer walk home, so I don’t rush into my day - but take time with the Lord, grounding and centering my spirit for the day.
Last school year, I would tell people that the days I walked Cannon to school were a “sign of health.” This year, I decided to take hold of that health daily and make it a non-negotiable rhythm - and I’m thrilled to share that Cannon, and I have a 100% track record of walking to school so far this school year.
Do you have a gateway rhythm?
One that changes or shifts multiple parts of your life?
If you need help developing a cornerstone, catalyzing rhythm that helps you live fully awake - I’m sharing some tips for developing one inside my substack community, The Fully Awake Women’s Club. Over there you’ll find a short teaching video to equip you and a Q&A where the whole community is chatting about what rhythms work best for us! Join us over there.
PS: if you join the Fully Awake Women’s Club this week, you’ll automatically be registered for my webinar next week: Gratitude As Spiritual Warfare!
I have a morning prayer walk rhythm. Connect to my complex, there is a small community park with a small trail that loops it. (One loop is .2 miles). I wake up to a freshly brewed pot of coffee, pour it into a travel mug, put on my shoes and go walk this trail every morning to pray. I always go in the very early hours while it is still dark and quiet outside. Usually about 20-30 min. Then back inside for my daily time in the Word with my She Reads Truth study. The only time my walk is derailed is if we have rain or bitter cold.
I love this morning rhythm!!! I try to carve out morning Bible time and walking on the treadmill but often (and joyfully) interrupted by my 6yo who wants to snuggle while I’m reading :)