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Monday, January 18, 2010

This past weekend my husand and I watched a documentary on the Galapagos Islands. One of my favorite parts was watching the marine iguanas.

These huge reptiles sleep on top of each other on the lava during the night, as their bodies shut down in the cool temperatures. As the sun rises and warms them up, they come to life, diving off the rocks and into the sea where they can hold their breath for up to an hour while they eat algea off the bottom.

The cold makes these powerful creatures lethargic.

I find myself a bit like those iguanas. In the winter cold, I find it very difficult to get going some days. I just want to burrow into my electric blanket and wake up when it's warm outside.

I've been feeling that way for about a week, and I'm ready to shake it off. I'm ready to overcome the inertia that has got me feeling stuck. Inertia is an interesting phenomenon. Basically is states that ojects in motion will stay in motion, and objects at rest will stay at rest.

For me to overcome this sluggishness, I need a burst of energy to get going. So today I'm making a dump list. I'm writing down everything I need to do - in all areas of my life. I'm not worrying about putting them in any order - not by projects, due date or type of work. I'm just getting them out of my head, off of sticky notes and pulled from pages of my notebook. And putting them in one master dump list.

Oh boy, does it feel good. Of course, when I discover something I should have done two weeks ago, I experience that "uh-oh" moment. But I'm not letting it stop me. Once I get my dump list done, I'll be able to put into manageable lists. For today, it's just what I need to get moving again.

If you're feeling like a cold, sleepy iguana, I invite you to make a dump list too. And make a cup of hot coffee and sit by a space heater while you do it - that helps too.

In His Love,

Glynnis

9 comments:

Molly said...

Dear friend,
I've been missing your posts. So glad it is only winter inertia that kept you away!
I think my body craves hibernation when winter arrives. Turn on the gas logs, curl up under a cozy blanket with a good book or fave tv show and I am right there with the bears. Naps rank pretty high on the list too. Bad thing about my craving to hibernate is that I can get less accomplished because I spend too much time 'vegging'.
Thanks for your challenge to make the dump list. Now if I can just get it written before I fall asleep again. :-)

Amber Rain said...

Glynnis,
I wondered where you'd gone and was praying all was well with your family. I'm glad to hear you were just hibernating. :-)
Inertia is a funny phenomenon and something I've noticed in my own life. I have to keep moving or everything stops.
I will pray that the dump list doesn't get too overwhelming!

KelliGirl said...

Glynnis,
I can relate! And we have a muuuuch longer cold season that you do, so I've been sluggish for quite some time now!

I'm not sure the slower pace is all that bad, but I see how it's leading to laziness. My favorite time of day has been climbing back into my warm bed after the kids have gone to school, reading my Bible and then taking a nap. (Don't tell anyone, though.)

I, too, find myself making lists and find my energy comes in bursts. Good luck with your dump list!

BLessings,
Kelli

Anonymous said...

Don't stop posting such articles. I like to read stories like that. BTW add some pics :)

Karrie said...

Love the encouragement to make that dump list. Those sticky notes and scribble lists need to be combined. For weeks at a time, I will be great at discipline but then something disrupts my routine and I quickly fall into disarray. Thanks for the reminder.

Unknown said...

Glynnis,

Are we sisters or something? I've been having the same problem and just today FINALLY faced the music and started a list of things I need to do (or have needed to do and just haven't done it yet!).

Thanks for your P31 devo.

Thanks for being committed to living for Him.

Love,
tammy

Steph said...

Thank you for your transparency and the helpful "how to overcome" the sluggish cold. I felt like I was swimming upstream, in mud...found out it was low vitamin d and thyroid levels. I had to "dump" my pride and see the doc.

You are a bright light of His love. Thank you for staying faithful!

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Karen said...

Glad to be able to read your posts. This is my first time to your site. Would love to win your book as I'm always looking for things to do from home. I'm anxious to check out your home based business. Thanks!!