For this Friday Five, let's ponder the various ways we work out (or not), physically, spiritually, and/or psychologically:
1. Do you work out, physically, spiritually, or psychologically? (I'll let you define what that might mean to you.)
Physically ~ I walk 3-4 miles almost every day, and I've started trying to go to the gym every other day. I have to set the Nautilus weights at something like 10 pounds.
Spiritually ~ I listen to Pray As You Go most mornings, I spend a lot of my walking time in prayer, I keep a journal, I see my spiritual director every month, and I try to do the Examen at night.
Psychologically ~ My entire life is a psychological workout.
2. Are you more inclined to join a gym or a book club?
I seem to have joined the gym (it's month-to-month.) Several of my friends formed a book club while I was off at seminary and I went once, but it didn't go so well for me. I might try it next month, when they're discussing The Help.
3. Are you more inclined to read self-help books like Gail Sheehy's Passages or spiritual books like Richard Rohr or Theresa of Avila? And if so, what is your favorite?
3. Are you more inclined to read self-help books like Gail Sheehy's Passages or spiritual books like Richard Rohr or Theresa of Avila? And if so, what is your favorite?
I do skim through self-help books, usually standing in a bookstore aisle. I have shelf upon shelf of spiritual books, but I'm not sure that I have a favorite. Maybe Thomas Merton, maybe Mary Oliver (whose poetry books I categorize as spiritual).
4. Are you a loyal fan of a sports team? or do you join the bandwagon when the local team is winning? And if so, which one?
I have no knowledge whatever of sports teams.
5. Or do you lean more toward having a favorite theologian/spiritual writer or self-help author and if so, who?
Bonus: What was the last play-off series you watched and did your team win?
I find the gym to be an interesting place to go these days, a place where I am completely anonymous, no one knows me and no one cares whether I do a great work out or a mediocre one. It somehow feels very private inspite of the publicness of it. I like the anonymity and focus on physical exertion, a tremendous relief from all the interior work I am doing.
ReplyDeletebut, yeah, like you, my weights are like 7 lbs dumb bells, sometimes I go up to 8 lbs. just for variety.
I've only read Volf in Christian Century, will have to check out his work when I have a job and can buy books again.
Thanks for playing!
I will add Volf to my list of things to read in 15 years when I figure I shall have time again for such things.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with you on sports!
I need to read me some Volf. And, amusingly, for the past 8 years I have been walking 3-4 miles a day and listening to pray-as-you-go, every morning. I wonder if we have ever passed by one another, each in our own world...and now I thank you for letting me be a part of yours! And I am glad you have become a part of mine as well.
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear your take on The Help, Robin. Lived it as a child of the 60s in the south. Read it. Loved it. Discussed it in my book club.
ReplyDelete