A Book I’m Reading – The Common Rule

It seems like I’m hearing more and more people talk about intentionally designing their lives by creating and adhering to a rule for life. A rule for life is essentially a set of habits, behaviors, and boundaries you establish for yourself to guide your days and decisions.

I am only a few pages in to this book. I am really looking forward to reading it and seeing what I can apply to my life. I don’t know about you, but I feel like August is a great time to refocus my habits and routines.

From Amazon:

Habits form us more than we form them.

The modern world is a machine of a thousand invisible habits, forming us into anxious, busy, and depressed people. We yearn for the freedom and peace of the gospel, but remain addicted to our technology, shackled by our screens, and exhausted by our routines. But because our habits are the water we swim in, they are almost invisible to us.

What can we do about it?

The answer to our contemporary chaos is to practice a rule of life that aligns our habits to our beliefs. The Common Rule offers four daily and four weekly habits, designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor. Justin Earley provides concrete, doable practices, such as a daily hour of phoneless presence or a weekly conversation with a friend.

These habits are “common” not only because they are ordinary, but also because they can be practiced in community. They have been lived out by people across all walks of life―businesspeople, professionals, parents, students, retirees―who have discovered new hope and purpose. As you embark on these life-giving practices, you will find the freedom and rest for your soul that comes from aligning belief in Jesus with the practices of Jesus.

A Lesson I’m Learning 

It is easy to drift and live from a place of distraction instead of design. August is a great time to revisit your dreams, goals, and desires. With schools starting back, it feels like a new year … turning over a new leaf. It is a great time to get back to the basics to strengthen the foundation of your life as you launch into this next season.

Here are some areas I’m thinking about:

• My relationship with God
• My relationship with Laura
• My work and those I serve with
• My family and friends
• My health goals
• My financial goals
• How I rejuvenate

A Podcast Episode I’m Listening To: Focus on This Episode 101

Black, Courtney, and Marissa do a great job reminding us of the basics of the Full Focus Planner. The Full Focus Planner is my favorite paper planner. Even if you don’t use the planner, I think you’ll get a lot from this episode of the podcast.

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

Habits form much more than our schedules: they form our hearts.” — Justin Whitmel Early