Sixty Four Ounces

Well, I’ve already managed to fail the one New Year’s resolution I opted to make this year. Just a mere 18 days into 2024, I gave up on my goal of drinking 64 ounces of water a day, and I put my giant water bottle with the motivational ounce markers in the cupboard.

This was supposed to be such an easy change for me – pick an easy resolution, they said, and you’ll easily see it through. Nope. Not me.

This Lent, I will have another chance to try to pick up this healthy habit, or I could give up all the tea I drink in a day. Fat chance. I can’t make 18 days, let alone 40.

Instead, I’m going to use this season starting with Transfiguration Sunday to focus on relationships. What tone am I using when I’m talking with my kids and husband? Do I sound frustrated when I am handling a situation with a student? Can I take a deep breath and pause? How much do I reach out to others, or do I tend to hunch over my phone and block out the world? Do I look at tasks as drudgery or an opportunity?

I can ask myself, “How did I make an impact on the world today?”

To be honest, I will more than likely fail on this from time to time as well. But I don’t have to start out at 64 ounces right away. I can start by making a connection with a student I don’t normally speak to. Or I can sit with my moody teenage son and ask him about how his classes are going. I can call my mom just because. Just a few ounces here and there.

And as the season of Lent commences, I can fill others’ cups, and that just may fill mine too. Maybe not all the way up to 64 ounces, but close enough.

Holy One,

Help us to build relationships, make connections, and replenish each other’s spirit this season of Lent.

Amen

Kelly is a teacher, which does not afford her the privilege of using the restroom at her leisure. And water is boring. But her life is anything but.