The Secret To Having Energy
January 11th, 2010
I have tapped into an energy giving secret.
Are you ready for it? It’s just so simple…
Allow yourself the freedom to do something you get jazzed about.
Seriously, that’s it, and let me tell you, it works! Find something you thoroughly enjoy, something that makes you come alive, and then make time for it in your schedule. When I do this, I don’t drag as much. In fact, I become a much more effective wife, mommy, and homemaker. (Disclaimer – if your “jazzy” comes at the expense of your family, it’s not worth it).
So whatever it is that makes you come alive, gives you energy, gets you jazzed, carve out a couple hours in your week and go for it!
Maybe you will even find yourself exploring how you can combine your jazzy activity with your main priorities. Wouldn’t that be a lovely and energizing collision?
My jazzy and my priorities have collided, and I can’t wait until I can share it with you all.
So tell me, what gets you jazzed?
Let’s get jazzed together everyday – subscribe to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee here!
Wow, that’s so crazy that you just posted this because this is exactly what I got done writing about in my prayer journal! I never took dancing lessons or classes growing up (I ran cross country and played the alto saxophone in marching band) and it wasn’t until I saw a girl dance to worship music at my Christian college when I started realizing my passion for it.
Anyway, to make a long story short, a newly married gal in our church decided to start up a worship dance team. At first I said I couldn’t be on it. I felt like I had too many commitments already. But I talked it over with my husband and he let me know that he would be fine taking care of our 1 year old daughter while I went to practice once a week. (6:30-8:00pm Monday nights) And I am so glad I did!
After 3 months of practices, we performed in church this morning. This was a new thing for our church and our prayer was for this worshipful dance to be a blessing. (We danced to Addison Road’s “What Do I Know of Holy?”) Dancing is such an outlet for me–a way to express myself and worship God. I just get so excited when I do it. I love listening to worship music at home and so it’s great to have dance moves to go along with it.
I’m hoping to show my daughter and others that you can worship God in other ways besides just singing. It’s also a great way to burn calories and stay in shape. And it’s a fun activity to do at home with your family–turn up the music and dance for God!
A book signing this afternoon at a public library. It included giving a 40 minute lecture on Proverbs.
Warren Baldwin´s last blog post … DOG HERO
Sleep and exercise do the trick for me. If I could only find more time (and childcare) to get some!
wendy hagen´s last blog post … Potty Training Stinks
Writing poetry! of course!!
I get jazzed and energised by making crafty creative things :) Paintings, sock monkeys, yummy chocolate truffles, and all sorts of crafty things … Makes me able to survive the day at work, knowing I can go home and do that!
Lizanne´s last blog post … Lost Generation
Uhh! Sounds exciting! Would you believe that I haven’t done anything of the sort these last 5 years?? I am at a loss trying to think of something!!! Can’t wait to hear about yours!!
A bubble bath with a good book in hand and a full 8+ hours of sleep get’s me JAZZED!!!! That’s an energy booster for me! And it’s free!
I just read a statistic that said people in the 1850’s slept on average 9.5 hours a night. Technology is making us sleepy :-( and I’m afraid it’s affecting our moods, energy, marriages, parenting, homemaking AND our walk with God!
So a good nights rest is my answer(the bubble bath and book – is a cherry on top):-)!!
Courtney
http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com
Courtney (Women Living Well)´s last blog post … I am SO Tired!
Love this!! (Though I thought the answer was going to be Coffee!)
My jazzy is photography…and I’m so happy that it’s something I can do with my family. Because, of course, they are my favorite subjects.
Can’t wait to see what your jazzy is.
Jami´s last blog post … I Heart Faces Week 2: Best Face
Courtney, as strange as it is, I actually do better on less sleep – more then 7 hours and I drag!
I have seriously been thinking about this … it’s why (in the midst of a commitment NOT to start any new projects until I finish the ones in process) I started the photo-a-day challenge. I love scrapbooking and saving the day-to-day life that happens at Chez Underwood … but I don’t have time and energy to lug all of that “stuff” out and ordering the photos becomes one more dreadful task on my to do list. But posting one or two photos every day has been a lovely way for me to expend a little creative energy and to end my day with a reminder of how precious my little world is.
TeriLynneU´s last blog post … I hurt people
I love this topic and everyone’s answers. Ok, I’m about to geek out here–My WORK gets me jazzed!! I work as a stage manager (theatre) and it is my life-line to energy. I took a break when my son was born, but went back temporarily when he was about 4 months old. (I was freelance at the time.) When we moved from NYC to Alabama, I quit work and stayed home. I nearly lost my mind. I have such a deep respect for women who are called to be full-time stay at home moms–I didn’t do so well with it! I think part of it was some late-onset post-partum depression, some was moving to a new place where we knew NO ONE, but a lot of my sadness at that time was that I wasn’t working and didn’t have that creative outlet that I craved. For the past year, I”ve been teaching a class at the University where my husband teaches full-time and staying home part-time. I’m about to go back to work as a stage manager on a more full-time basis (still very lucky to have lots of time with my son, though!) and I can’t wait. It’s important to me that my son sees how much his dad and I love our jobs and that he understands that we worked our tails off to find and succeed at jobs we truly love. We want the same for him.
So, yeah, my work gets me jazzed!!! I feel so very blessed to be able to say that.
Jen L.´s last blog post … Comfort Food Saturday: Hot Spiced Tea
Does shopping count? :-) Actually, I really get jazzed by blogging and designing blogs and twittering. Isn’t it awesome when your jazzy is also your job?
Musings of a Housewife´s last blog post … Advice for Making the Most of Blissdom
I get “jazzed” when I have the time to enjoy a big mug of coffee by myself in the mornings before anyone else is up. Also, scrapbooking for a few minutes gets me really excited! I’m working on Project Life and I started printing out pictures last night for the first week…I just had to much energy after that! Love it.
Morgan @ Three Boys, Boots, & Belt Buckles´s last blog post … Wordless Wednesday: Trace Surgery Edition
I have been thinking of this alot also lately. I have lots of hobbies, but most have fallen by the wayside as I take care of my two little ones. I just had my third baby last week and as I sit and think over my resolutions for this year. (I’m giving myself an extra 6 weeks before beginning my new year due to the baby) I want to be more self-disciplined in many things but I also want to plan in something for me to look forward to.
I really love the idea of a “daily do”. Something I could do every day that would be fun and give me a reason to blog. This way I would be practicing self discipline and havig fun at the same time. I have lots of interests, including journaling, quilting and of course cartooning. I’m not sure yet how to organize my “fun” for this year, but it is on my mind. I hope I can find something that really energizes me every day like you have.
Misty´s last blog post … Photos!
going to the gym gets me jazzed…is that weird? =) But I get an hour to drop the kids off in the daycare and I can work out and sweat and just rejuvenate my mind and body. Its wonderful!
Kari´s last blog post … Wild Weekend
I get jazzed as I take a photo walk or hike, then I get to come home and go through them all. I love photography. I also get jazzed about articles that inspire me and draw me closer to our Lord. I also love to write when inspiration hits me.
Sarah Mae – that’s what I typically get – 7 to 7 1/2 hours of sleep a night. I definately feel like I have plenty of energy on that amount of sleep – if I dip down below 6 1/2 – it’s not a pretty day the next day!
I can’t imagine getting 9.5 hours of sleep like they did in the 1850’s – I wonder what that feels like? I guess we’ll never know!lol!
I hear of many moms running daily on 6 hours or less of sleep and I know that that has to affect our child training, marriages and walks with God. We have to be more disciplined to disconnect from our technology.
Courtney (Women Living Well)´s last blog post … I am SO Tired!
One jazzing up item for my day is blogging, both writing and reading them. Also, quiet time when all else sleeps! Actually, blogging/writing could be good for my diet too, it’s during those moments I even forget to eat! I’m jazzed!
Tammy@if meadows speak…´s last blog post … HE Abides There
I love setting a limit on the “work day” (which for me is homemaking). No matter what happens on that day I tell myself that past 4, 5, or 6 pm I am going to stop all “work” and enjoy my family and self. It really motivates me to get stuff done throughout the day.
Jessalyn´s last blog post … A Giveaway
I’m jazzed about the new Twitter/blog project for @john1Jesusloves. It was fantastic to write the tweets for it and I’m loving the challenge of writing the blog posts. It’s so different than writing for Eat at Home, which also jazzes me.
I think the reason these things provide energy is that it makes us well-rounded, engaging our whole selves in passions that God has given us.
Tiffany´s last blog post … Through the Roof
Maybe you will even find yourself exploring how you can combine your jazzy activity with your main priorities. Wouldn’t that be a lovely and energizing collision?
LOVE THAT!!!!!!!!!
I get jazzy when I can give someone hope! :-) Thanks for this.
I truly agree… sounds selfish, but its not. Unless it interferes with your home, like you said!
Love you!
Traci´s last blog post … 17 Practical Ways To Help You Stay On Track With Your Fitness Goals
I love your post! It took me a while to figure this one out, but 1.5 years ago I started incorporating what gets me ‘jazzed’ and it really is a mood enhancer and energy booster for sure!
I absolutely NEED to create something with my own two hands everyday-it can be a new recipe, a scrapbook page, paint an accent wall in my home or write an article or blog post. It really provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that lasts all day. :)
I wrote a post about mine a couple weeks ago:
http://theclassywoman.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-new-you_01.html
The Classy Woman´s last blog post … Get Organized Once and For All!
I’m so jazzed that you’re jazzed!!! Can’t wait to hear more!
This is what gets me jazzed: enjoying a great cup of coffee first thing in the morning while I read my devotions, and then having an uninterrupted hour of Quiet Time in the afternoon (reading, praying, journaling, writing) with my pot of tea. There is something so rewarding about these times – I think maybe all my senses are engaged and when I can have these times every day, I am completely renewed and energized.
Debbie´s last blog post … Moving Slow… But Still Moving
First of all, when I read Bethany’s comment about their dance to “What Do I Know of Holy” I got chills. I can totally see that song with a beautiful dance to it. My friend Jennifer (who helped write most of the songs on our new CD, Unshakable), led worship last Wednesday night and sang this song. It left me wanting to lie flat on my face. If you haven’t heard it, you have to listen to it!!! Kind of big shoes to fill when I lead worship THIS Wednesday night. : )
ANYWAY…what gets me jazzed are friendships with other godly women. I can’t tell you how much life has been poured into me by my two friends Kim and Loretta. I love both their hearts so much, and not only do they pour life into me they are also a blast to be around! When I am able to spend time with just a bunch of us girls hanging out (something I need on a regular basis with just my 13 year old Sheltie, Windi, as female companionship every day) I come home energized!
And, oh, yeah. Most of my friends are in the Worship Team. That helps too. :D
Heathahlee´s last blog post … Unshakable!
What a motivating post. I took a walk at the beach yesterday and noticed that I had not walked there in months. I usually get down there and walk once or twice a week but for some reason I fell off the wagon. Ive been feeling down on and off and yesterday I thought that it was probably wasnt going to the place that gives me energy. You are right I need to schedule this in to stay active and happy.
Lucy´s last blog post … Relaxing Pictures
Gosh! I have a lot of things that get me jazzed!
The first thing that comes to mind is watching one of my favorite cooking shows. I LOVE learning a new recipe and planning a couple new menus for my family to try. And, guess what? This “thing” actually benefits them as well! Yay!
The past few years, my husband and I have been renovating our house from top to bottom and doing almost all the work ourselves. I LOVE finding some inspiration on the internet and then finding a great deal/steal on the same look, but for a much cheaper price. The hunt always gets me jazzed…partly b/c I just love looking at design, but I also love seeing how far we can stretch our dollar!
Hmm…reading back over this makes me sound geeky. That’s okay! I’m cool with geeky!
Love this post Sarah!
Your sister in Christ,
Another Sarah (Ella’s mom)
http://ellasmom505.blogspot.com
Sarah A´s last blog post … Just one of those days…
My thing is my “coffee” moments at Starbucks reading, blogging or twitter, sometimes talking to someone else for a couple of hours (not more than two) a couple of days a week, swimming (when the weather gets warmer), taking bubble baths by candle light (these are the ones I do by myself). I have others that “pump me up” that the kids and I do, the family and I do, and my husband and I do.
yeah the other thing that helps me from getting down in the dumps I’ve noticed is taking my “fish oil,” seriously. It helps my mood tremendously. Maybe I’ll blog about it one day.
Nice post Sarah.
Angela´s last blog post … Training our children
Thanks for this post! I’ve been seeing in my own life lately, especially with having two little ones under the age of two, how it really does make a difference to set aside even just a few minutes to do something that I really want to do… What a perspective change it gives!
The Domestic Contessa´s last blog post … Get More Energy – Do something you LOVE!
I’m with some of the other ladies, my work, especially my ministry work gets me jazzed, but also when I can help someone online with their blog. Writing truly does “fire me up”. Thanks for the post I have been counting my blessings today and this ability to be “jazzed” is one of those!
Alyssa´s last blog post … I’m Passionate, Not Perfect
Ah….writing, shopping, reading, scrapbooking!! SarahMae, I can totally relate to the less=more sleep strategy…..6 hours is good for me!
Christy Cross´s last blog post … When Your Nightmare Becomes Your Reality
I JUST LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!
THANKS, SARAH MAE
I JUST LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!
THANKS, SARAH MAE
What gets me “jazzed”… Sewing something for someone else! Making Bows.. scrapbooking, finger painting with my daughter, completing a unique project.. planning a trip, finishing a to-do list! All those things sound amazing right now!
-Sylvia
Thank you for this post. I have recently returned back to school to work toward my degree and it has been SO exciting to have and meet goals, and do well on something! My husband and kids have been so supportive and it has been a wonderful thing all around.
Alana´s last blog post … I don’t want to forget….
That’s the feeling I’ve been trying to define – being “jazzed” about what I am doing. I volunteer in an elementary school classroom, and I feel more energized after spending a few hours there than if I had done something else with my time. I love that I can see the difference I am making, and I love the innocent hugs from all the students. It also keeps my drive up as I take classes towards my teaching credential.
Toni´s last blog post … New Beginnings Update – Jan 20