We laughed this morning, in my cardio class, when the instructor had to set her Fitbit before class to track her exercise, saying, “If it’s not tracked, it doesn’t count.” The reason we laughed is because we all understood exactly what she meant. I once forgot to wear my Apple watch to class and felt like the whole class was for nothing because if I couldn’t show that I was there, how could I prove I actually did the work? I know, it sounds crazy.
I’ve been thinking about it all morning, and I believe there’s something there to consider. We’ve all succumb, in one way or another, to the fitness-tracking craze. My father keeps track of the miles he racks up during the day as he walks in the neighborhood and around the house. I like to monitor my steps to make sure I’m not sitting for too long. I know some people who follow every calorie they burn, every “ring” they close on their exercise app, and even how many deep breathing pauses they take.
All good stuff, I’m sure, but let’s stop and think for a moment about what we’re tracking and why. Are they the minutes or steps that really matter? Are they the things that are going to make a difference in the end. And I mean that end.
Are we tracking how much we give to the poor (and I don’t mean for tax purposes)?
Are we tracking the time we spend in Church? in prayer? in one-on-one time with God or the Bible?
Are we tracking the amount of time we spend with our families? our children? our spouses? our parents?
Are we tracking the amount of time we spend listening when others are talking–really, truly listening?
Are we tracking the times we say thank you? to our families, our friends, cashiers, parking attendants, ticket takers, God?
Are we paying attention to those moments in life when we’re called to slow down, stop, take a breath, and just be? How often do we actually do that?
Are we recording every special moment in our minds, and reflecting on them later, or are we rushing through life unable or unwilling to actually enjoy and appreciate this gift we’ve been given?
Are we remembering to say happy birthday, happy anniversary, I’m sorry, I’m thinking of you, I’m praying for you, or even just hello or have a nice day?
I love that I can track my steps, that I can record my exercise, that I can boost my confidence by boosting my movement. But I have to stop and ask myself, am I really tracking the things that matter? If the answer is no, and it quite often is, then I have some work to do. How about you?
Join me in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on March 24th and 25th to celebrate Maryland Day and the release of my latest book, The Devil’s Fortune. Watch my Facebook page this week for more information.
What I was writing about a year ago this week: You’re My Inspiration.
Amy Schisler is an award-winning author of both children’s books and sweet, faith-filled romance novels for readers of all ages. She lives with her husband and three daughters on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Her books, Picture Me, Whispering Vines, and Island of Miracles are all recipients of Illumination Awards, placing them among the top inspirational fiction books of 2015, 2016, and 2017. Whispering Vines was awarded the 2017 LYRA Award for the best romance of 2016. Island of Miracles has outsold all of Amy’s other books worldwide and ranked as high as 600 on Amazon. Her follow up, Island of Promise is a reader favorite. Amy’s children’s book is The Greatest Gift. The suspense novel, Summer’s Squall, and all of Amy’s books, can be found online and in stores. Her latest novel, Island of Promise, was recently awarded First Prize by the Oklahoma Romance Writer’s Association as the best Inspirational Romance of 2018.
Amy’s next novel, The Devil’s Fortune, will be released in March of 2019. Pre-ordering is available from some vendors with more being added each day.
You may follow Amy on Facebook at http://facebook.com/amyschislerauthor, Twitter @AmySchislerAuth, Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/amyschisler and at http://amyschislerauthor.com.
Amy’s books: Crabbing With Granddad (2013), A Place to Call Home (2014), Picture Me (2015), Whispering Vines (2016), Island of Miracles (2017), Stations of the Cross Meditations for Moms (2017), The Greatest Gift (2017), Summer’s Squall (2017), Island of Promise (2018).
WOW, Amy, not that they’re all not excellent but this morning’s was extra special. It’s funny (not really!) how we THINK that our priorities are in life …….and when we step back and take a look, how they REALLY are. I must admit that I shuddered when I took that look. I’m not Catholic, in fact I’m Assembly of God but that doesn’t matter. If we believe the same Truths, believe the Bible as it is written and have accepted Christ as our Savior, then we’re all in the same church. There are only two categories, the Saved and the Unsaved.
Thanks for your sharing Amy. And Dick, I’m sure that you wear a Double Proud chest size in your clothing!!
Because He Lives!
C A
Thank you so much for your kind words. You are so right. We are all the church, and I believe that we all need to help each other get to our final home. Thank you for following!
Excellent, Amy, really enjoyed this…
Alexandra
Thank you, Alexandra!