I asked my daughter a question the other day, anticipating a somewhat vague, generic answer.

I asked her, “Can people change?”

And she said, “Do you mean mentally, physically, or spiritually?”

I found myself surprised and impressed with her response.

I said, “Let’s start with mentally and spiritually.”

Then she answered, “Yes. But they have to choose to change. They have to want to change. If not, they won’t change.”

Mind. Blown.

My daughter is 10 and she shocked me to my core.

2020 was a year of change for us all. As we all cautiously entered 2021, I wondered to myself if I desired any more change. Of course, I want this pandemic to be over but besides that, do I desire change? Or am I so fearful of what may come in 2021 that I’d rather be complacent with our current world?

Sad, right? But I know that people are feeling the same way. I hear patients express this all the time.

“Yea, my thyroid has been giving me problems but at least I don’t have COVID!”

“Yea, my blood pressure has been high but at least I don’t have COVID!”

2020 hit us upside the head and left us in a world fearful of the future and complacent with our current frustrating situations.

Then my daughter woke me up.

I want change. I choose to change.

I took my daughter’s categories of medical, physical, and spiritual and came up with a plan on how to do this.

Medically, I am choosing to be “safe”. Meaning, I’m changing my perception of “danger” around me into a perception of “safety”. I’ve received my first COVID vaccine and am eagerly anticipating the 2nd shot. I am relying on masks, gloves, hats, jackets, and plastic face shields to keep me out of harms way. And I’m focusing on my faith to know that God is keeping me safe in his arms.

Physically, this is an easy one. For my health, I simply need to eat better (don’t we all?). But I’ve decided to change my view on exercise. I tried Yoga for the first time in my life (and it felt great). I tried tennis for the first time in my life (and it wasn’t for me). And I plan on trying golf (unsure about this one too haha). I’m incorporating new activities into my regular routine of dog walks and Peloton cycling (which I love!).

I’m choosing to change my routine.

And spiritually, I’m choosing to focus more. Deeper. Differently. I bought an illustrated Bible made by Alabaster (the pictures are beautiful) to give me a more visual intimacy with the book of Genesis. I’ve been working on my book a lot more. And I’m focusing on my daughter’s spiritual growth a whole lot more in depth as well.

So, I write this blog today to tell you to choose change. I want you to have the courage to reach for something new in a world that seems newer than it’s ever been. I want you to be focused on how to make these changes. And I want you to have faith to know that God is with you every step of the way.

If you want to quit smoking, do it. Don’t let this pandemic be an excuse.

If you want to take up running, do it. We all have to social distance so head to your nearest park.

If you want to learn how to make homemade chocolate cake, do it and cut me a slice!

Because you can do all things in Christ who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13) and in Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).