February 5, 2025 I’ve hit what I call “the winter blahs.” It’s cold enough that I don’t want to spend much time outside. It gets dark early, and that makes me feel tired early. Nothing is wrong with me; I’m not depressed or struggling. I’m just blah. My motivation is a bit low, and my energy levels are lower than normal. Blah. Noticing the “winter blahs” setting in, and knowing we have a while to go before spring, I made a conscious decision a couple weeks ago to stimulate my brain. I thought it might help with the blahs. First, I started using an app and YouTube videos to try (for the second time in a few years) to learn to play ukulele. I’ve always wanted to learn to play a string instrument, and ukulele is supposedly a good beginner instrument. It’s fair to say my results have been mixed so far. I still inadvertently deaden strings, and I still struggle to get my fingers in position quickly, but I’m getting better very slowly. At minimum, my fingers stopped hurting from pressing the strings. That feels like progress. This week, I’ve tried to take on a small plumbing project – replacing a bathroom sink and faucet. While I seem to have had success with the faucet, I’m still fighting the sink drain. Though I’m one more attempt away from getting help with it, I don’t think I did horribly for a first-time plumber. My strategy has helped. I feel less blah. Even when the new skills are challenging or frustrating, I find them stimulating, and I’m excited to work on them. Sitting on the floor in front of my leaking drain, it occurred to me. I should apply this “learn new things” concept to my faith life. I get complacent in my relationship with Jesus. I sort of go on auto pilot – go to Mass, spend time in prayer, repeat. I get the spiritual blahs. I think I’m being called to spend a bit more time learning about our faith, be it through workshops, classes, books, videos or podcasts, or even through conversations with others. I’m called to growth. It feels fitting that God put learning on my mind as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. Our Catholic Schools call the students they serve to grow in their understanding of the world and grow in their understanding of and relationship with Christ, and they give the students the the tool and support they need to realize that growth. Our Catholic schools are blessings to those who pass through their doors and to our diocese and our Church. There’s no blah there. |
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