Let's do this short-term-goal thing

To remain focused on the present, I need tangible objectives. (I figured this out on my own, of course....) So let's tackle and conquer to two things I loathe the most: waking up early and running for exercise. 

And let's confront first my rationale for all the hate.

I dislike waking up early because my body dislikes it. My internal clock runs on a noon-til-midnight wake schedule and when circumstances allow it that schedule works bea-u-tifully. However, when responsibilities in work and school begin this fall I need a consistent schedule to support my sleep/wake cycle. And the best compromise time between clinical days (5am) and class days (7am) is....6am. 

I dislike running because it is boring. B o r i n g. I am too slow of a runner to keep it interesting. I mean, why not jump on a bike? It is twice as fast! But that's not the point. I want to mental discipline of training for a beneficial goal while overcoming my objection to running. And since I don't have a road bike, running is more convenient. 'Cause it's free.

The goal: 

               Run a 5K by September 23

The plan:

            First week, run half a mile/walk two miles. Second week, run one/walk two.

             Third week, run one and a half/walk two. Fourth week, run two/walk one.

              Fifth week, run two and a half/walk one. Sixth week, run 3.2 miles. Woot!

The goal:

            Have a consistent sleep/wake schedule

The plan:

            Weekdays wake at 6am regular days/5am clinical days, bed before 10pm

            Weekends wake at 8am, bed before 11pm

Yep. Conquering both these areas of my life would give me a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I am determined to finish these goals. And (maybe, perhaps) gain some mental discipline. 

This morning I began reading 'Fearlessly Feminine' by Jani Ortlund. I picked up this book reluctantly, doubting that this author had anything to new say on "the model Christian woman" or if her message could be anything but a cotton-candy filled inspirational. However, already, her words are inspiring me with their truth.....

"And so we fret and fantasize and take things into our own hands. We make self the center of our lives, and God becomes some peripheral religious ornamentation, all in a fear-driven attempt to secure our happiness. But does it work? Are we happy? Look at the world. Look at all the abortions and divorces and troubled children. Look at the rejections and regrets and remorse. We only want to be happy. So why aren't we? Because we believe a lie. We believe we'll be happy when everything is finally going our way. But this is a deception. What we really need is not a perfect life with everything we crave neatly assembled around us. What we really need is God."

-Jani Ortlund