Missing weeks 23 – 25? 🤷🏾♀️ Yeah, I’m still trying to figure that out too! Writing’s been slower than a snail on a Sunday stroll 🐌. All the writing from week 23 – 25, I promise, is a work in progress (WIP) – had to throw that in, especially with financial year-end upon us! Once a beancounter, always a beancounter 😂📊.
So for week 26 (that’s last week) – hang on! ✋️Can you believe, we’re halfway through 2025? How time flies, yeah?! 🤔 Anyway, for Wk 26, I’ve focused on habits: inspired by our pastor’s recommendation of the book ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. I even signed up for the library near work to borrow the book, but serendipity struck when I stumbled upon a copy while tidying up the house the other day! 📚
Am I telling you everything about what I’m reading? No, I’m not! But trust me, ‘Atomic Habits’ is worth a read! I’m up to chapter 6! So far everything I’ve read has got me thinking, “This is the motivation I need” to break bad habits. Then I see the title of chapter 6: “Motivation Is Overrated: Environment Often Matters Most”. Hmmmm, more on that later… 🤔📚
So what have I discovered so far? This extract is my favorite:
Habits do not restrict freedom. They create it. In fact, the people who don’t have their habits handled are often the ones with the least amount of freedom.
• Without good financial habits, you will always be struggling for the next dollar.
• Without good health habits, you will always seem to be short on energy.
• Without good learning habits, you will always feel like you’re behind the curve.
• If you’re always being forced to make decisions about simple tasks – when should I work out, where do I go to write, when do I pay bills – then you have less time for freedom.
It’s only by making the fundamentals of life easier that you create the mental space needed for free thinking and creativity.
~ James Clear, Atomic Habits ~
The biggest takeaway so far is that habits are within our control – we just need to manage or handle them. For instance, I know I can start the day strong by waking up at 4 am for devotions and prayer, going for a walk or doing some housework, and then getting ready for work. Sounds doable, but the truth is, I’m struggling to break the habit of staying up too late 😴. Familiar struggle, right?!
Kudos to early sleepers and risers – you are a special breed! For the rest of us, it’s about breaking old sleep habits and forming new ones. Let’s do our best to make it happen!
Here’s another example. Managing diabetes and heart disease go hand-in-hand with healthy eating. I know I need to make better food choices, but it’s a struggle. Changing my eating habits would make a big difference, but it’s easier said than done! So there’s another habit that I need to take control of, rather than the other way around 🙄.
Everyone’s journey is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mastering habits. ‘Atomic Habits’, and I’m sure there are many other authors and books, offer valuable insights that can make a real difference. If you’re interested in improving your habits, I’d recommend checking them out
Disclaimer: no affiliate links here nor is this paid – this is a genuine endorsement 😊.
This brings me to the next part of my blog – as Christians, it’s essential to examine our habits and ask: Do they reflect our faith? Are they a witness to others or a stumbling block? Do our habits point people to God or push them away?
Growing up, this song was a favourite at Sunday School, back home! I taught my kids and now my grandchildren sing it too:
🎵Read your bible
pray everyday,
pray everyday,
pray everyday!
Read your bible
pray everyday,
and you’ll grow, grow grow! 🎼🎶 Buka helaga ba duahia
Ba guriguri
Ba guriguri
Ba guriguri
Buka helaga ba duahia
Ba guriguri
Oi do ba tubu! 🎵
(Motu)
All these reading about habits has made me appreciate how they (or repetition of), good or bad, can shape our lives. It brings back memories of my late mum, who loved singing the song above and another one titled “Love is something, that you give away and it comes right back to you” ❤️. These choruses, as simple as they may be, have lasting and profound impacts.
I understand now why late mum always sang these songs, instilling in us the importance of daily Bible reading and prayer, being kind, generous and loving to everyone – not just in her words, but through singing and in action too.
Life’s short and unpredictable! Our time here is limited – only God knows what’s ahead 🙏. Instead of waiting for a wake-up call, take a moment to pause, reflect, and reassess the path your habits are taking you on. Slow down, reset, and move forward with intention and clarity 💡
Here’s what I want to pass on: read Scripture with intention, pray daily for all (not just yourself), and cultivate gratitude & generosity. Remember the love you give is the love you’ll get back – it’s a beautiful cycle ❤️. Below are some verses from Romans 12 to help us:
Romans 12:2,12-18 NIV
[2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
[12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. [13] Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. [17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
And in motu (my mother tongue)
Roma 12.2,12-18 Motu
Ina tanobada oromana na basio tohotohoa; a lalomui ba hamatamata, bae idau vaitani, bena Dirava ena ura, mai namona bona mai hairaina bona mai hereadaena ida, vada ba diba.
Helaro ai ba moale. Dika negadia ai ba haheauka. Guriḡuri ba goadalaia nega idoidiai. Helaḡa taudia edia dabu ai ba kahadia. Heabi-dae karadia ba kara. E daḡedaḡe henimuimu taudia ba hanamodia; basio uduguiraidia. E moalemu taudia ida ba moale; e taitaimu taudia ida ba tai.
Iboumui ai lalomui bae tamona. Herea ḡaudia basio lalodia, a manau taudia ida ba noho hebou. Sibomui emui aonega basio heaḡilaia. Tau ta basio kara dika henia, iena dika davana; a taunimanima iboudiai vairadiai kara namo mo ba kara. Bema mai dalana, taunimanima iboudiai ida ba noho mai mainomui ida.
In conclusion, we are capable of handling our habits 💪 so what are we waiting for?! Most importantly, read your Bible and pray everyday 🙏❤️
To God be the glory!
Idau Hahine 