day 20/21- losing steam

there is a pattern in my life where I start off strong with a new project, am so excited about it, and then something happens. May be there is a set back or too much time passes or things don't progress as i imagined them,  and I begin to lose steam.  When this happens, I have two choices ahead of me: i either choose to dig my heels in and grit my teeth to take it to the finish line by sheer determination or I let it simply die, hoping maybe some life will be resurrected into while it fades, but if that doesn't happen, I let it rest.  Writing, no coffee, and my other projects, are all losing steam.  Since I have more structure in place with other projects and I am an object in motion set in motion with no coffee, those are the ones I know I will grit my teeth and get done... but writing... that one may gently float into nothingness... unless I concertedly dig in my heels.
There are four days left until Christmas.  Can I finish off this blog strong?

Have I learned to wait, to anticipate, to enter into a quiet contemplative state?  I think so.  I think I have built better habits over the course of this fast.  I think I have felt myself be led more into the presence of God and have felt his hand at work.  I have tasted the sweetness of God through this writing project. The reflection and ordering of my thoughts has helped me feel more alive and peaceful. It has been a very enjoyable time that I've cherished.  I recommend that people feeling "dry" in their spiritual life, find that which helps them feel more alive and connected with God- be it writing, running, painting, music, whatever. My question now is, will I keep up those habits when I pick up coffee once again? The answer is I hope so.

Also, Daniel's granddad passed away this afternoon. We knew it was coming and know he is in a better place (it is a better place, maybe that is not a comforting thought to those that mourn, but he is whole again and is not in pain!). Yet, there is a loss and somber reflection on death and his life. It is the literal aspect of the old has gone... when will the new come? When will there be a new earth that does not have death and dying, grief and loss? When, Lord, will you come again? The hymn below is my response for right now.

Hymn for the day:

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!