I have an Apple watch. I got it as a gift from my parents and I love it. It talks to me and reminds me to do things I would forget to do otherwise. It used to call me Mom, but Brady changed my name to Ninja-Waffle one time and I've never been able to get it back. I originally wanted it because I lose my phone quite often and if you are within a certain distance of said lost phone, you can ping it and find it.
I'm not kidding.
It's an expensive watch for that purpose, but seriously...I can ALWAYS find my phone.
As I got ready for church on Sunday, I was in a hurry. Because along with losing my phone, I am often RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT on time. Meaning, I'm late. I forgot my watch and realized right away that I was missing it. I was sad because Steve and I have been working hard on our fitness goals since the end of football season. We've been working out, eating better, and trying to close the rings on our watch.
For those of you who are fellow Apple watch wearers, you know what I mean. For those of you who aren't, here is a quick lesson.
The outer, red ring is your "move" ring. It calculates the number of daily calories burned.
The middle, green ring is your "exercise" ring. It calculates the amount of time you set aside for exercising during the day.
The inner, blue ring is your "stand" ring. It calculates the number of hours you "stand" or are up moving during the day. 12 "stand" hours equals a perfect stand day.
In order to close all three rings, you must get at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, stand for 12 hours, and meet the daily move goal you've set for yourself.
Your watch will send you messages throughout the day reminding you to keep up with your rings. At the end of the day, if you close your rings, you get a celebration message and award from your watch app.
It really is quite exciting. I started making it a goal to close my rings based on my fitness goals and for the first time in almost forever, (dramatic flair) I'm doing it.
However-I have noticed, that with goal setting and goal getting, it is easy to obsess about things. If I don't close my exercise or move ring, my watch will kindly remind me that a brisk 17-minute walk should do it...so I do it.
Sunday, when I forgot to put my watch on until noon, I actually set an alarm on my phone to wake me at 11pm and 12am so I could stand up and meet my goal.
This seems slightly ridiculous, right? Yes. Right.
As I was sitting in church getting ready to sing and thinking about how I forgot my precious watch, it occurred to me that perhaps my focus was in the wrong place. I thought about how hard I had worked as of late, to close my rings, increase my physical fitness level while decreasing my size, weight, etc.
Being healthy is important. It is SO important. Don't get me wrong here.
What isn't healthy is focusing on only these rings when there are so many other things I need to give my time, focus, and attention to.
I started to think about the number of hours I had spent in prayer this week.
Not 12 a day. That is for sure.
I also thought about how many times I stood for Jesus, for my faith, for my beliefs this week. Did I even remember to do that?
Maybe. Maybe not.
I considered the fact that I hadn't "moved" to help others or exercised my right to be a reflection of Christ consistently.
Why? Because I didn't have a daily wrist reminder to pray, stand, and move for Jesus?
Then I started thinking about how I could better this system. I could create an app that would remind me to do all of these things like my trusty watch does! Of course, you'd need time, and resources, and know how and such for that sort of thing. I can barely keep my house clean. Then I thought about how I could relate my want to be a better Christian and just all around human to the rings I use every day.
The red "move" ring can remind me to move for Jesus. Daily. Move in a way that reflects him.
The green "exercise" ring can help remind me to spend at LEAST 30 minutes in prayer each day. Thanking God for my ability to do all that I get to do in a day and for my many blessings.
The blue "stand" ring can help me remember to stand for Jesus. Stand up for what I believe in, in a way that doesn't make others feel unloved or unaccepted. Christianity takes a lot of hits, but the bottom line is to love others like he loves us. This I can stand for and do more often. My blue ring tells me so.
Anyway, this is your friendly reminder from Ninja-Waffle to close your rings every day. For your heart, for your health, and for God.
Food for thought!
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