Tuesday, January 8, 2019

New Year, Old Me


New Year, Old Me
Well, here it is, 2019—and I’m just now getting used to writing 2018. The new year is traditionally a time of starting over, and everyone is making resolutions. I stopped making formal new year’s resolutions some time back, but that doesn’t mean that I’ve given up trying to improve. Rather, it means that I don’t wait until the first of the year to make a change when one is needed. And I try to make those changes permanent. I don’t always succeed, but I do try.
Although I’ve had two good careers in my life already—medicine and writing—in my heart I sometimes long to own a health club, especially around the first of the year. We’re all familiar with what happens then.  After the holiday meals and the snacks, we resolve to lose that five pounds (or whatever amount we seem to have acquired). “I’m going to go to the gym every day,” we say.
That’s why gym memberships go up about this time every year. But according to the best figures I can find, two thirds of them are never used beyond the first few months. Our spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak. We become like the person who doesn’t go to the gym because they can’t find a parking place close enough, and they don’t want to walk all that distance! Our gym memberships go unused, and the treadmill we wanted for Christmas becomes an expensive coatrack.
My suggestion is that, rather than improving our physical bodies (or in addition to such measures, if we’re in the minority who really tries), we consider making a few adjustments to our personalities. My wife, bless her, saw me dragging my feet one morning as I made my way around the house. She pointed this out, while reminding me that—even though I may be piling up the years—I still have the prospect of some good ones ahead. Although I hadn’t formally joined the “give me a word” movement I’ve seen so much on social media lately, she used a word that has stuck with me: “purpose.” Rather than shuffling my feet, I needed to move with purpose.
So, for the year ahead, I intend to proceed with purpose. The subject of my purpose may change as the situation changes, but I want to keep the word before me. My purposes (and most of us have multiple ones) right now are to complete my next novel while not neglecting being the best family man possible. At some time, I may find that I’m being unusually short-tempered with those around me, and I’ll do my best to change that. I may forget for what purpose I’m writing, and if that is the case, I’ll try to correct that.
We all have purposes. Find yours. Do you need to add to it? Do you need to make a change? Continue those efforts for the long haul. You’ll be glad you did.
*     *     *


Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, now writing “medical mystery with heart.” His novels have garnered critical acclaim and been finalists for ACFW’s Carol Award, both the Romantic Times’ Inspirational Book of the Year and Reviewer’s Choice Awards, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and the Selah Award. He is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the International Thriller Writers, and Novelists Inc. Emergency Case is his latest novella.
He and his wife live in north Texas, where he writes, works on being the world’s greatest grandfather, and strives to improve his golf game. You can learn more about him at his website, and via his blog and Facebook page.



Ruthy here, happy to announce that Richard "Doc" Mabry has offered up a copy of his newest release "Emergency Case" to one lucky commenter.... So do you need to add to your purposes? Can you identify them?  Leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing. Doc will pop in and out through the day to chat with us.


KILLER OR TARGET?


The relationship between Dr. Kelly Irving and her husband, attorney Jack Harbaugh, has cooled recently, but she figures they’ll muddle through and repair it.

But when she backs down her driveway, her car hits a bump that turns out to be the partially snow-covered body of a man her husband recently represented. Not only that, the gun that killed him belongs to Jack, who seems to be the primary suspect.

As events escalate, Kelly can’t decide if her husband is a murderer or the next victim. Eventually, they put their marital differences aside and find the person masterminding the syndicate behind all this, while trying to keep Jack alive.




39 comments:

  1. Good morning, Dr. Mabry! Thank you for being here with us today. And congrats on your newest release!

    "Purpose" is an excellent "one word" choice you've made. Our pastor often reminds us to "live deliberately" because when we don't, everything that is not all that important crowds in and squeezes out everything that IS important.

    P.S. You're the "doc" here. . . but if the shuffling (or related balance problems) and 'temper' continue, get checked out for hydrocephalus. I know someone who had those difficult-do-diagnose symptoms, a shunt was put in to drain excessive fluid from his brain, and he's entirely his old self again! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Glynna, but I'm afraid the failure to pick up my feet was pure laziness.

      Delete
    2. Oh, Richard, I LOVE YOUR WIFE!!!! I am so proud of her, and she made me laugh.... No shuffling in retirement, sir. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada! And I'm still laughing as I scold!

      Delete
  2. Great post! The book sounds great. As events escalate, Kelly can’t decide if her husband is a murderer or the next victim.-I'm hooked. Finding your purpose-I'm feeling that would guide everything I do for the upcoming year. Thank you! Great to see you here, Doc Mabry!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sally, I agree! It hooked me as well!

      Delete
    2. This reminds me of Rebecca.... and how the new Mrs. DeWinter NEVER KNEW if she'd died accidentally... or murdered.

      Haunting stories!!!!!

      Delete
  3. Thanks for a great post, Dr. Mabry! I chose the word "intention" for this year because I need to be more intentional with my words, my actions, my writing, my presence--everything. I'm in a transitional season in my life and am still trying to figure out what my purpose is right here and now. Thanks again for a great post and congrats on another book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glynis, I love Intention as a one-word! And it can definitely apply to all areas of our lives.

      Delete
  4. I would love to win a copy of your book. it would make a great birthday present for me.

    Today my purpose is to enjoy my birthday with happiness. Despite the fact that yesterday was the second anniversary of losing my Mom.

    Grief is a strange thing. I was fine yesterday but today I am struggling through the grief.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is amazing what God does when we really need it. I checked into Facebook after I posted here and already have over 50 birthday wishes with special notes.

      Delete
    2. Wilani, grief is a strange thing. I'm so glad you have your online friends supporting you today. We love you and wish you happy birthday here from your Seekerville friends!

      Delete
    3. Wilani, grief is like a summer shower. It comes and goes and the sun shines bright in between... and then we feel guilty about the sun shining brightly! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!! How lovely to be celebrating a January birthday. A new year... a new you!!!!

      Delete
    4. Happy Birthday, Wilani! So glad you're receiving lots of love from FB friends. I hope you feel the Seeker love for you here as well!

      I lost my mother so many years ago (she was only 58 when she died), but I still miss her. I'm praying for you to find joy today...as well as comfort and peace.

      Wishing you birthday blessings and abundant love today and in the days ahead. May 2019 be a grace-filled year that brings laughter and happiness!

      Delete
    5. Happy Birthday, Wilani! Hope it's a good day.

      Delete
    6. I hope you've had a Happy Birthday, Wilani! But I'm sorry it's also a reminder of losing your mother. I know you miss her.

      Delete
  5. Good morning, Doc! Always a pleasure to see you and even a greater pleasure to hear a word from you. Purpose? I like that. We all need a purpose. And if we don't have one, then we need to come up with one, right? Congratulations on the new release.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Welcome back, Doc! Thanks for this great reminder. I think a lot about purpose when we hit a new year. My focus this year is to find the joy in all I do.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks, everyone, for the comments. It's great to be back here with the folks from Seekerville.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great words to start the new year. Purpose is such a powerful word. It's kind of like the word hope...without it, we are lost and wandering through life. Purpose is really like an action word, driving one to push forward. I just love that!

    I've been choosing a word the past several years and have found that each word gives me purpose throughout the year. It has done wonders for my productivity and the way I feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of every year. My word this year is "whisper". I want to be in tune with God so that I can hear his whisper to me. I also want to whisper Him to others - not shout or beat people over the head, but to whisper Him in everything I say or do (write). :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I’m not a very purposeful person and should probably take steps to improve. I might get more accomplished! Maybe tomorrow…
    Thank you for the timely post and congratulations on the new book. I’m looking forward to reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I definitely have a sense of purpose in our home as a daughter, wife, and mother. Still trying to find my purpose in the workforce, but contentedly waiting for Him to reveal that one to me in His time.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like the idea of working on purpose. It covers alot of smaller things I would work on. I consider myself a 62 year old" work in progress". Looking back, I've made good progress in some areas, other areas still need work! Good luck with your purpose this year.
    Your new book sounds great and I am looking forward to reading it

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well, every year I have always said I need to lose weight, which I have needed to do for about 10 yrs. I also need to desperately need to improve my mobility. I actually have done something about it this year and am enjoying it. wonder of wonders lol. An old dog can learn new tricks. I am 63 years old, and might actually do good this year. I can't say enough good about the program Noom. Your prayers are definitely welcome, everyone. I am one of those people who always loves prayers. Thank you for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prayers cover all folks who visit this blog, Debbie! Hope you feel them...as well as the love!

      Congrats on the weight lose. Easy to put on the pounds, so hard to take them off. Good for you!

      Delete
  13. Dr. Mabry, always good to see you in Seekerville. Purpose is a great word and an excellent reminder that we're all here for a reason. Knowing we can made a difference gives meaning to our lives.

    I'm stepping purposefully today! Thanks for the reminder...and hugs to your wife!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great post, Dr. Mabry. I need to keep the word "purpose" in mind at times. I often just go through my day without thinking of the purpose of what I'm doing. The book looks good. Please enter me in the drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. If I don't keep a purpose in mind, I do rote, unimportant tasks. Sometimes the most worthwhile things are the hardest!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great post, Dr. Mabry....and great book...I just finished reading it and loved it!

    Happy Birthday to Wilani!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for all your comments (including, Jackie, the nice words about Emergency Case).

    ReplyDelete
  18. I skip making resolutions and opt for goals. Goals allow me to make varying degrees of steps forward, while leaving room for the occasional backwards stumble. Like running a good race, each step forward brings me closer to reaching the finish line and keeps my eyes focused on winning instead of failing with those pesky resolutions.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Richard, I don't make resolutions either. However, I do try at look at the year past - see what I would have done differently and then look at the year ahead. What can I change? Where can I improve? From these reflections, I always have plenty of areas to improve upon!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Richard, you've made some encouraging points. Thanks. This year I want to be brace. Brave enough to complete my writing goals and brave enough to say no to things that waste my time. Have a great year proceeding with purpose. You novel sounds intriguing. Cindy Huff

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great post Dr. Mabry. You've given me much to ponder.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Richard, your post is such affirmation for me. I have a strong desire to minister to moms through my writing. I have a mom blog with pretty committed followers, and an idea for a new project has sprouted that I'm pretty excited about. I prayed on the way to work this morning and asked God to clearly reveal to me if this project is my purpose for 2019. As soon as I arrived at work, a friend had texted me this from a devotional: "I am with you and for you. When you decide on a course of action that is in line with my will, nothing in Heaven or on Earth can stop you..." Now, about 30 minutes later, I'm reading your post. Hhhmmm...think God is up to something? :) Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm a day late reading Dr. Mabry's post but I truly like this word! Purpose. Something to do. Meant to be. Determined to act.
    Thanks for the motivation!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm like you. I don't wait until the new year to make changes. Before I started writing, I worked in health and wellness. It was weird this time of year. Glad to be out of that business.

    ReplyDelete
  25. It's been a while since I had a chance to enjoy a Dr. Mabry book!
    My purpose is to be the best wife, mom, and teacher I can be. I do need to add more effort to these ambitions, though!

    ReplyDelete

If you have trouble leaving a comment, please "clear your internet cache" and try again. You can find this in your browser settings under "clear history."