Monday Moment Goal for Intellectual Health

Still setting goals! And I have progress to report on goals you've already heard about!

Progress encourages me so let's deal with that first! In the first two weeks of January I've exercised 304 and 307 minutes! I've allowed no exceptions and have been doing at least 30 minutes of exercise every single day. This will be the telling week as research tells us that it takes 21 days to establish a habit. But I'm so proud of myself, I can't imagine that I won't keep at it this week too!

Progress also on my relationship goals. Seeking - and then expressing - specific appreciations for my honey three times a day has been a good reminder for me to not forget. After all there's plenty to appreciate if I only pay attention! I'm doing better on that and also on listening to him in active ways. And we had our first date of the month Friday night - his idea! Yea!

This week I'm going to focus my attention on an intellectual health goal. For several years I've tried to make a record of all the books I read - for fun as well as for learning. But I bet I've actually recorded less than 10% of what I've actually read. It's been too easy to forget, too tempting to just go on to the next book, not rewarding enough to really entice me to continue.

Late last year, though, I heard a great idea from a member of our writers group. Jewel keeps a Reading Journal in which she does more than record what the book is; she copies a few passages that capture the book's essence or that express ideas that grab her at the moment. She admits that it's a chore to do, but that reading back her journal entries is like immersing herself in a bath of pure enjoyment - a chance to savor the very best of what she's already enjoyed.

I loved Jewel's idea and thought I'd like to do that, but hadn't gotten around to it until just this week. Then I read a passage in a light-hearted novel called Step Ball Change by Jeanne Ray - and knew I wanted to keep that passage alive in my head. I bought a cheap but pretty composition book and started my own Reading Journal.

My goal is to record snippets of what I read so I can more truly remember and bask in the beauty and provocation of words. Contrary to what the experts suggest about using one's bedroom only for sleep and sex, I have always loved cuddling into my pillows with a book. So I'm keeping my Reading Journal and a pen that's fun to write with right there on my nightstand. I know myself well, and convenience helps me achieve my goals. And reading is such a joy for me that I'm willing to occasionally sacrifice sleep when I get caught up in a story.