Feeling a need to shake things up a bit in several areas of my life, I signed up for both the September challenge on 750words.com (write every day for the month) and on BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo, which stands for National Blog Posting Month. I may be setting myself up to fail, as we have a vacation planned in September, but we’re not going anywhere rustic. Even the part that includes Acadia National Park in Maine will involve a hotel, and what hotel doesn’t have wifi nowadays?

The theme for NaBloPoMo is “eye.” Weekends are free-write days; the prompts start on Monday. I shall begin this month of posting by writing about my recent word study on Greek words for “see,” though I’m at home and of course my notes are in the office at church. I learned that there is one word in Greek for “hear,” but a half-dozen or so words for “see.” This reminds us how visual the Greeks were, we’ve all seen pictures of statues and other art from ancient Greece, we know how they valued beauty. What led me into this word study was a passage from Galatians that began, “be careful.” When I translated it, I was surprised to find a word for “see.” Though it made me realize how we also in English use “see” to describe all kinds of experiences, all manner of sensory input.

See what is around you. Perceive your surroundings. Take care to note who and what make up your day.

Take care, I almost always say at the end of a conversation. I’m not brave enough to always say “I love you,” so I substitute. Drive safe(ly). Take care. Traveling mercies.

I have other goals bouncing around inside of me. Exercising regularly. Practicing piano more often, which is a form of prayer for me. Getting to bed earlier, which may be tricky as I have at least two regular evening meetings. Weaning off coffee, drinking more of that wonderful selection of green and herbal teas on the shelf in the kitchen. Cooking regularly, which will save me money and provide time to listen to books. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed, to makes lists of what could be better while overlooking what is already good.

Today I’m grateful for good leftovers, a vocation I love, and time with friends. The writing, the exercising, the piano – that’s all icing on the cake.