Are you a JOMO?

I learnt a new word today, well acronym, JOMO ‘the joy of missing out’. It’s a good thing. It means being happy with what you are doing. It’s opposite being FOMO, ‘the fear of missing out’. I’m definitely more a JOMO. Being a Jo it seems very apt. I’m quite happy with my own company and have been known to miss the odd party in favour of time home alone watching well, Home Alone. OK, well maybe not that particular film. Actually, I watch most types of films except horror. 

I was asked my favourate film once at an interview. My response was Predator, the original 1987 version with Arnie Schwarzenegger, who along with his team of commandos, is tracking down an Alien who is not easily seen. Do watch the film if you haven’t seen it. It’s one of those films I have to watch if it comes up on TV. I passed the interview despite my dodgy choice. I made them laugh anyway. I should point out here that the interview was part of the selection and discernment process for Baptist Ministry. God moves in mysterious ways! The best part comes at the very end when the alien starts laughing. I’m sure the film prepared me well for ministry. Laughter and the ability to blend in are probably more useful than being able to fire a M134 mini gun. Although there are times….. 

I love to laugh! Singing, laughing, and walking are my stress busters. I have been known to do all three at the same time but more commonly not. So what makes you happy? 

Travelling slowly

Well the last couple of months I’ve travelled very slowly, or at least life has had to slow up, having had some major surgery. ‘The slower you travel the more you learn’ is a quote by Alice Morrison. Morrison once cycled across Africa, well raced to be precise. She’s an interesting character. Check out her website: https://alicemorrison.co.uk/about-alice-morrison/ if you want to know more. 

This particular quote is printed across my t-shirt, my walking t-shirt. Well, the t-shirt itself doesn’t actually have legs so doesn’t walk by it’s self but I occasionally take it out for a walk. I now have visions of my t-shirt on a lead being taken for a stroll around the park as you would a dog. 

I digress… back to the walking whilst wearing said t-shirt and the quote….

I’ve always found solace whilst I walk. It’s one of those thin places for me where I feel closest to God. I have felt frustrated post-op that I have not been able to go out for my normal yomp around the hills instead I’ve had to build up slowly. Walking a couple of hundred yards took all my effort. Slowly I increased my walk by 5 minutes a week.  It was a major milestone being able to finally complete the walk around the block that I did so much of during lockdown when, in the UK, we were not allowed to drive unnecessarily, including driving anywhere to go for a walk.

Sometimes God slows us down particularly if we have been hurtling around too quickly to connect with him. Lots of people were poorly over Christmas with coughs, colds, and covid. If we don’t slow down our body gets sick anyway and there is enforced rest. So, in the slowing down what do we see? What do we hear? What do we smell? What do we sense? What have we learnt? If we can’t answer those questions perhaps we need to slow down even more? 

I’m still not up to speed on the walking. Well, the pace is there but not the distance. It’s quite frustrating really I will be glad when I can get out more, but in the waiting and recuperating I’m learning. Learning to be more reliant on God and drawing closer to him. 

Lent 2014 - 14th March: Country walks

Today's simple pleasure is country walks. Whether it be the Derbyshire peaks or Coteswold hills or a canal path or... just about anywhere. I think I am overdue a wander or two.