The 100 Things I'd Rather Hold Than My Phone
2017 is about clarity for me.
It's about getting the messes and the noise out of the way so I can focus on Him-- so I can hear His voice, follow His will, answer His call.
I can't do that when my phone's in my hand, when my thumbs are busy scrolling through newsfeeds, when my eyes are glued to the glowing screen.
I recently saw Erin share about an article she read called "100 Things I’d Rather Hold in My Hands Than My Phone in 2017" from Colleen Mitchell, and it was a beautiful, powerful, challenging way of thinking about how I want to live this year.
Then, I saw Aliza share her own version of the list, and it struck me as meaningful and powerful and necessary all over again.
So, I decided to dream up my own.
Here are 100 things I would rather hold than my iPhone:
- My study Bible
- A handmade mug of coffee
- A bouquet of wildflowers from the farmer's market
- My dog's leash
- A camera
- Lots and lots of books
- My Moleskine journal
- Paintbrushes
- Wooden spoons in the kitchen
- A guitar as I learn to play
- The tiny hands of the kiddos I babysit
- Puzzle pieces
- My favorite markers for handlettering
- Freshly fallen autumn leaves
- Fistfuls of dirt in the garden
- Board game pieces
- A glass of fresh pressed juice
- A collection of poetry
- My PowerSheets
- Tacos
- Free weights
- My yoga mat and strap
- A big glass of red wine
- Big bunches of kale
- Apples I've picked from the orchard trees
- Tiny new babies
- A wiggly puppy
- My journaling Bible
- Decorations for parties hosted at my home
- Big mugs of soy chai lattes
- Snail mail
- Blades of grass
- Handfuls of water from the James River
- Pages of my sketchbooks
- The hands of my family in prayer around the dinner table
- My steering wheel as I drive off on adventures
- Packets of wildflower seeds
- My 5k and 10k race bibs
- The cracker and cup of juice at the communion table
- A brand new ink pen
- The handle of the coffeepot
- My hair as I learn new braids
- Flowers picked from the side of the road in spring
- A kayak paddle
- A really good gluten-free vegan pizza slice
- Airplane boarding passes
- A bowl of fruit sorbet
- The keys of my piano
- Bags of clothes to donate
- Chatbooks full of my Instagrams
- Classic books found at my used bookstore
- My tiny essential oil bottles
- Dishes in a soapy sink
- A moscow mule in a copper mug
- Oven mitts
- Big bowls of pasta
- The keys of my laptop as I share blog posts
- My own clasped hands in prayer
- Stickers and paint and washi tape for my journaling Bible
- Wrapped presents to give
- An umbrella on rainy days
- Ticket stubs from concerts
- A 3D pen with the boys I babysit
- Magazines full of vegan recipes
- Cards in the mail from my grandma on holidays
- Measuring spoons and cups
- The map to a new art museum
- A bottle of black nail polish
- Big, cozy blankets on the couch
- The stakes that will keep our tent up while camping
- The handlebars of a bike
- A walking stick on a long mountainous hike
- An infuser of looseleaf tea
- Food truck meals at street festivals
- Tall glasses of chilled cider
- Index cards I've doodled on
- Fresh citrus fruits I'm juicing
- Devotional books
- Logs to add to the bonfire
- Homemade popsicles on sunny days
- Bowling balls at the alley with friends
- Cotton candy at the baseball diamond
- My suitcase and weekend bag
- Crates of fresh blackberries
- The straps of my hammock as I hang it from two trees
- The door open for people behind me
- Mason jars of ice water
- My hands open in worship
- Bunches of eucalyptus
- Chipotle
- Candles and pretty matchboxes
- Stacks of freshly folded laundry
- Mimosas in champagne flutes
- Bowls of popcorn
- The laces of my sneakers
- My letter board as I spell out new encouraging words
- The jar of coins and bills saved up
- Chopsticks at my favorite Thai restaurant
- A grocery list
- Pages of answered prayers and ones I'm still bringing before Him