It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks, marked with out of town company, Holy Week, Easter, and an uncharacteristic shopping binge. So what’s been lighting me up over this time?
The biggest highlight for me the past two weeks was the visit last week. It’s always lovely to spend time with link-minded and big-hearted people, and the weather was great, allowing us to visit some parts of the city and attractions I don’t often get to. I also always love it when the weather joins in with the Paschal celebrations, so with a gloomy Friday, a weird Saturday, and a gorgeous Easter Sunday, this year was fun for that.
I also started my new series here on the blog and that’s been fun to think through what are, for me, the ‘Big Questions’ it’s important to ask to help us understand and apply the Scriptures well.
I’m notoriously a bit of a minimalist, so I don’t buy a lot of things. The exception is that about every 18 months or so, all of the things that aren’t working in my life will suddenly become very apparent and unbearable so I’ll do an on-the-fly regroup of my habits and organization that will inevitably lead to some purchases. And since Sunday, I’ve been in one of those modes, leading me to make some significant purchases, such as some exercise equipment, since my normal running routine is being thwarted by a difficulty finding good shoes, and new a kitchen appliance to help me with meal prep and waste less food. I don’t really get a buyer’s high, but I do love a good life reassessment and finding things that work better for me, so that’s been great! And, while it’s early days yet, I have high hopes for the tweaks and purchases I’ve made this week!
While in the past, such productivity binges involved a lot of self-help and productivity reading, this year I’ve been getting more ideas from YouTube, which has introduced me to a few new-to-me accounts that I’m really enjoying.
With the company last week and focusing on other things this week, I haven’t done as much reading as I normally would, but there have still been a few standouts, including:
- Blood Over Bright Haven, by M.L. Wang (2024)
- The Nothing Man, by Catherine Ryan Howard (2021)
- The Postman Always Rings Twice, by James M. Cain (1934)
Last week’s new music releases were minimal due to it being Good Friday, but though it’s early yet and I’m still getting into this week’s new music, I’m really loving the new album from Self Esteem, who is one of the UK’s most unique pop artists. So check out A Complicated Woman if you’re interested!
These are a few of the things that have been keeping me going and brightening up my way this week. So what’s lighting you up?
Matthew Root 