Obsessing

Do you obsess like I obsess? It seems anything I am incredibly interested in, concerned about, or excited about I obsess on it. The dictionary defines obsess as "to think about something unceasingly or persistently." Now when I obsess on a good thing, it can lead to productivity. For example, every Christmas Jess and I like to make little Christmas gifts to give to teacher friends and acquaintances and whomever else we feel the need to spread love and good cheer to! So, sometime in October, I get a terrific idea for a Christmas gift. I get excited about it and start researching where we can get the best price for all the supplies. Every time Jess and I talk, the subject comes up and and we brainstorm a little more. This can be a productive obsessing. But what happens when I start obsessing on a negative thing? I recently received a medical test result that was somewhat concerning. Of course, I started thinking about it every time I was alone. I talked to Brian about it every time we were alone. I did not want anyone to know about this yet, so I didn't talk with anyone else about it. Fortunately, I  don't tend to dwell on negative thoughts, so I normally stay away from researching on the internet. This one time though, I decided to try to learn a little more about my recent test result. Brian was out of town and I had some time to try to satisfy my need to know more. Thankfully, the first site I visited provided what turned out to be accurate information. My test results were not as ominous as they first sounded. whew! I decided to stop my search with this first finding. But what if I would have continued to dig up more and more information? What if I searched and searched until I had read loads of information, maybe not as accurate as the first site I went to? What if I would have read late into the night and then not been able to sleep because of all that I had read? Surely, this would have been a recipe for disaster the next day at work! This is when obsessing becomes detrimental to our well being. During this very long week with an unsettling secret, I came to rely on Philippians 4:8.  "Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected." Now, this is worth obsessing on! That week, every time a negative thought crossed my mind, I forced myself to stop, say this verse, and focus my mind on a positive thought --like what I was going to make for Christmas!
The next time you find yourself obsessing over a negative situation, try stopping and changing your thoughts to think about the things that are good, true, honorable, pure, beautiful and respected.

50 before 50

I turned 49 on my last birthday. That makes me in my 50th year of life. Contemplating turning 50 within the next year, I decided that I want to set some goals and create some accomplishments for this 50th year of life. I spent a considerable amount of time speculating what goals I should make. I wanted them to be attainable. Reading 50 books in a year is just not realistic for me! There is no reason to set that as a goal. I wanted to have a variety of goals, ones that touched the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. I included some challenging goals, ones that would stretch me a bit. And I created some easy goals, ones I could check off throughout the year and keep me motivated. I know it sounds like a lot of goals -it is. It's OK. I have a whole year to accomplish them. :)
I also decided to keep a separate journal just for this year. It is actually a planner. I listed my goals in the front of the book. I write my thoughts each day in the square space for the date. In the "To-Do" section, I write about my progress on the goals. I am disappointed to say that I am a little behind in my progress. I know there is still plenty of time (9 months) to attain all the written declarations, but I don't want to be cramming in the last month!
Anyway, instead of dreading the big 5-0 or being disappointed with the lack of fanfare, I decided to try the outward approach. I hope to better myself and bless some people along the way. I don't think there is a more fulfilling gift.

Our Desires

"Holy Spirit fill us with your fire. Give us Your desires. Hold us close to You." This song, More of You by Selah is one of my favorites right now. As it was playing on the radio one morning, I starting thinking... What does it mean to have the same desires as the Holy Spirit? I assume they would be based in the Word of God. I have a feeling His desires would not necessarily be about us. I suspect they would be outwardly focused. How can I serve others today? Who can I bless today? How can I bless the Lord? What does that even look like? I guess this is something to meditate on. When I am alone and focused on the Lord, maybe this is something I can pray and ponder. Am I ready, willing, and able to hear what He may speak to me? Hhmmmm. Will you join me in asking, "Holy Spirit, what are Your desires? By faith, I am asking, give me Your desires."

When troubles come

Colossians 1:11 says, "God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient."
For me, that last part never seemed to fit with the first part. When troubles come we need to be patient?? I always just quickly read over that last part, somewhat ignoring the phrase. I am not sure what Paul was thinking when he added that little, "but you will be patient." Then today, it just hit me. I started thinking what trouble looked like: a mouthy co-worker, an upset child, a sick family member, rain on a special day, an intruder, a rude driver. I am sure you get the point and are thinking of your own troubles now. If we are not patient in any of these situations, we could make quite a mess. We could actually make the circumstances deadly. So, instead of resorting to a fast-talking, fix-it mentality, keep quiet and patiently listen. Instead of resorting to racing up the highway trying to get a license plate number or at least cutting off that rude driver before he exits, just let it go and hum a little tune. Road rage is not good for anyone. Lastly, when it is raining on your parade, don't rehearse how wet and disgusting it is and how awful the circumstances are. Focus on problem solving and redeeming the situation. Yes! We need to be patient when trouble comes! Some situations just can't be changed, but our attitude and outlook can. Lord, help me to remember to be patient when I am racing to work tomorrow and that lady in the cute sports car cuts me off and I have to follow a truck for miles on end! Help me to see the opportunity to turn up the radio and sing a jammin' tune!

Do you need a perspective change?

At certain times of the year in a school, people are very stressed, very busy and very stressed. I am sure it is like that in many jobs. There are periods of time when the frantic pace makes it difficult to breathe. And then there are other times when the pace is as slow as molasses on a cold winter day. During the frantic times, how do you act and react to those people around you? Do you still practice politeness or are you a "get outta my way or else" kind of person? What makes people feel they have the right to be rude just because they are incredibly stressed and busy? What is the difference between those who check their politeness at the door during the stressful times and those who act and react with the same level of politeness whether they are busy, stressed or not. I believe it is a matter of perspective. When our perspective is turned within ourselves, we are only aware of ourselves. We are not aware of anyone else, let alone what kind of day someone else may be having. When we lift our heads and actually look at people, our perspective changes. It turns outward. We become aware of others, how they may be feeling, what kind of day they may be having, and their general well being. By becoming more aware of those around us, we may be less likely to act and react according to how we alone may be feeling. Our problems may not seem so bad and definitely not original when we start taking others into consideration. So, the next time you are feeling overwhelmed and life is as frantic as driving on the Audubon, look up! Change your perspective. I am sure you will notice others on the same road, feeling the same way. Practice a kind deed, say a kind word, and you will both be feeling less stressed in no time.

Raving Fans

What does it mean to be a raving fan? As a business owner, how do you develop raving fans? Recently, I saw a job posting for someone to (among other things) help the company develop raving fans. Our favorite football team just got eliminated from the playoffs. We wear the colors and watch the games. Does this make us raving fans? We may seem like more than raving fans to some people who are not passionate about football. The dictionary defines raving as talking wildly; delirious; frenzied. WOW. I am not sure I am raving about anything -especially football! This does remind me of someone I read about in the Bible. John the Baptist. I don't think he talked deliriously, but it seemed he lived a wild kind of life, eating locust and honey and wearing the skins of animals. He was also very focused in his mission. He proclaimed the first coming of Jesus. He was passionate about it. I believe he was a raving fan. Some thought he was a lunatic. Are we raving fans of Jesus? Are we called to be raving fans or loyal followers? or disciples? or people who make disciples? What is our mission? What are we called to do? I don't think I am called to be a writer --evidenced by this post! Regardless, we should be passionate, loyal, dedicated, raving(?), about what it is that we are called to do. It doesn't have to be a BIG life mission. Sometimes that's difficult to discern. What are you called to do right now at this time of your life? Today.

The Silent D

So it has been almost a year since I posted in this blog. I had quite the winter last year! All the changes, increased time away from home, and a relentless winter put me into a seasonal depression like I have never previously experienced! By the grace of God, I was able to recover from it throughout the short summer. I wish things could have been different, but some things are just out of our control. My job is terrific, so please do not think this is about my job directly. 
During the winter months when I didn't know if I could go to work another day, I did all I knew to do to fight against depression. I watched my diet -avoided excess sugar, caffeine, and processed foods. I exercised at least 2 days a week for about an hour each day. I took St John's Wort every day. I continued reading my Bible and praying each morning. I rehearsed my blessings. No matter what I did, it was like I was looking through blue-colored glasses and wearing lead-filled shoes. My hope was diminished, my creativity shot, and my energy waning. What more could I do? Fortunately, I suspected I would not be downcast forever. I had experienced short term depression a few times before last winter; but it had never been that severe or lasted that long. I realize through advanced medical research we have terrific medication that can help alleviate many of the symptoms I experienced. A trip to the doctor was my next move had the dark cloud not lifted.
It is so important to be sensitive to people going through a rough time or to people who always seem gloomy. I am sure I never even looked gloomy to those who worked with me. I was able to conceal it for the short time I interacted with adults throughout my day. I hid it mainly because I did not want to cry in front of them. I am so blessed and I have SO much to be grateful for, yet all I wanted to do was moan and complain. That is why I avoided people. I did not want to be the complainer. That is not who I am.
When I am around people who are unhappy or who complain, I try to remember that maybe they feel just like I did. Maybe their situation seems hopeless to them. Maybe they cannot help themselves. I did all I knew to do, yet I could not help myself from feeling the way I did. Be compassionate. Be kind-hearted. Be patient. Be understanding. Be loving. Forgive.