65 days to invest in YOU!

Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, you and I have something in common: we all have 65 days till the end of this year. That's right, God didn't discriminate when He gave humanity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
So, what are we to do with this precious gift of life? I have a few suggestions on how to make progress in your Spiritual life, Health and Friendships. 
Spiritual Life

• God is more than willing to draw near to us, it's up to us to draw near to Him (see Jeremiah 29:13 and James 4:8). There is a very natural side of my spiritual life. The alarm clock for example. Some of you know I was born a morning person (sorry mom!) so it's up to me to set it early in the morning and read my Bible when I wake up. I say it is a very natural side because in 35 years I have never heard an angel say (cue the scary voice) "CINTIA! TURN ON YOUR ALARM CLOCK." It's up to my natural self to turn on the alarm clock, wake up and read my Bible. It's called spiritual discipline for a reason. 

• Last year I thought it would be a good idea to read the Bible in a year. As you know, I started late but I'm all caught up. It was up to my natural self to decide that I wanted to read the Bible in a year, so I started following a reading plan. I also told a few friends who hold me accountable. 

• I'm not advocating for all of you to become Bible scholars (unless you REALLY want to). I am advocating for you to decide you want to draw near to God and take the natural steps towards that. 

Health 

• The holidays are coming people. Long gone is my fear of gaining a million pounds because of my own lack of self control. I decided to take charge of my health and I took on a Vegan for 23 days challenge last week. I'm on week 2 and I feel much better. I am amazed at how a small change can bring about so much wellness in my health. 

• I believe in taking small steps so last year around this time, my small step included drinking more water. It has became a habit and it has transformed the way I feel. 

• I am not advocating for all of you to become vegans. I know some of you will only become vegans when sirloin starts growing in trees (ha!). I do believe that we can all make an intentional investment in our health. Your well-being is so worth it. 

Friendships 

• This is the time of the year that many have the temptation to say "I am so busy" and our friendships get stuck where they are. I heard someone say that friendships require a weekly (sometimes daily) investment. Let's be honest here. Not all of us have a best friend, so the only people we talk to on a regular basis are family members and co-workers. Enter my new friendship concept that says "every friendship has a rhythm. For example, I just saw my friend of 20 years, Roberta. We see each other, every 3 years. We do our best to stay in touch online because we live in different countries. That's our rhythm. Last week I had lunch with a great local friend. We try to connect face-to-face every month or so. We see each other in other social occasions but every so often we have a heart to heart over chips and salsa. That's our rhythm. During the times we are not together, I try to remember her in prayer and I let her know that. 

• I'm not advocating for you to see your friends every 3 years. God knows I'd move Roberta here if I could. I am encouraging you to put some intentional investment in your friendships once you identify what is your "friendship rhythm." 

I pray that you are encouraged to make the best out of the 65 days you have left in this fantastic year. The excuse that we are busy is not a good one: the difference is purpose. I am reminding you of your Divine purpose. I am reminding you that only you can fulfill it as you make progress in your spiritual life, health and friendships.