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.