Forcing it at First

Winter is setting in Alaska, forcing the temperature below zero, forcing the moisture out of the air, and forcing endless hours of darkness across the landscape. As I reflected on this the other day, I realized that the desolation stretched across more than just the wintry drifts of the frozen north. Winter has set in on me too; work, school, hobbies, and other commitments have forced Christ into a corner of my life- and I let them.

The long hard winters of Alaska have an effect on all who live here, an affect commonly referred to as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). It affects each person in different ways and to different extents but, studies show there are ways to combat its effects. Forcing yourself to continue doing the things you enjoyed all summer long like exercise, being outside (for short periods of time given the sub-zero temps), and forcing yourself to go out and socialize rather than secluding yourself when the snow starts flying are all recommended to counteract the effects of SAD. Once you get through the first few weeks of disciplining yourself to go to the gym, get fresh air, and not use the weather as an excuse to sit around the house all day, it becomes a routine and you hardly notice the contributing factors of SAD and in effect become GLAD (Giving Life A Direction- Note: I made this term up and it is in no way based on any medical research).

In light of this research, and for the sake of the extension of this parallel; I am going to start doing much the same in my spiritual life. While I may have to force it at first (much like I had to force myself to sit down and write this 1st post back in 6 months), I hope that I will once again push through the spiritual SAD and become spiritually GLAD.

SIDEBAR: This was indeed a difficult post to write, admitting to yourself that you are not giving Christ the proper priority in life is not easy. Also, interchanging affect and effect while maintaining the proper usages for both is no joke, I'm not sure I got it 100% correct but I think I am in the ball park at least:)
Also, I don't think I have SAD (not much of it anyways), I do have sleepy though. I guess now is the time to catch up on all the sleep I skipped during the 24 hour daylight of summer.