Today's Action: Renew the intention to spend quiet time resting in the presence of the Lord. Be a light and save haven for others.
I'm going to not necessarily reflect on today's action, and instead, I'm just going to freewrite. I'm not feeling like being confined today.
I'm finding it hard to rationalize the bad things that happen in the world. Firstly, this crazy elevator instance where the lady got caught in it and died! It's just awful! What a strange nanosecond in time. I pray for her family and friends, as well as for her, that God takes care of them all.
I'm so ready to start this next phase of my life. It doesn't help that I'm sick. I hate not having the energy to do all the things on my to-do list. It really sets me back because I don't allow enough time in for back up. With all the stuff going on at work though, I can't help but feel just a tiny bit of guilt... some feeling of not finishing what I started. I keep praying that God will take care of all the people I work with. I know from past experience that, with time, things will just work themselves out they way they need to. The company will not go under just because I'm leaving, and hopefully, I'm banking on the fact that now someone else will get to shine. The company will have a new beginning as well, so that's exciting, right?
I want to maintain all the relationships I have. I know it's easier said than done, but this time I really want to try.
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Friday, December 16, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Advent: Thursday, First Week
December 1, 2011
Today, look at life, yours and your neighbor's How often did our gracious God turn apparent misfortune into richest blessings!
The first misfortune that comes into my mind is Hurricane Katrina. While I still battle with the loss and separation, there are many ways God has blessed us through the storm. Firstly, we have learned to survive and cope. We know what family means. And, I think the biggest blessing we received was realizing what home means and never taking it for granted. I can't tell now exactly what stemmed directly from the storm, but I know that I and my entire family have a completely different perspective on life because of it. Regardless, for many misfortunes in the world, there are ways that God's love and blessings shine through. For example, look at other natural disasters and the way people band together to provide resources and support to the victims of such events. God definitely brings out the best in many people.
Katrina and natural disasters aside, I'm trying to think about my neighbors' misfortunes and blessings. This is a tricky meditation for me. I don't know if I could rightfully say that good things came out of bad situations that happened to others because it's subjective. It might seem good to me, but they might not see it that way. I can think of a lot of misfortunes that happened to many of my friends. However, I feel like it's presumptuous of me to assume they've witnessed blessings in their lives through those misfortunes. It's not to say I can't believe they've been blessed with many things: children, new opportunities, a refreshed outlook on life, an adventure. But to say they've received those blessings through misfortunes seems unfair for me to judge. However, if I believe in a far and gracious God, which I do, then I have faith that he will in fact -- in his own time -- bring forth blessings in our lives through apparent misfortunes. Therefore, I do find consolation in the fact that when I or my neighbor is faced with misfortune, large or small, that blessings will come eventually through personal perseverance and a strong faith in God. I feel like that seems overly optimistic, but I've been there. I've had a few misfortunes in my life, and I've handled them, mentally and spiritually, in different ways. I know from experience that faithful dedication to God's graciousness and fairness only brings about the most beautiful blessings - more than you probably could have imagined on your own. It's truly amazing!
Recap: Look at your and your neighbor's lives. How often did God turn misfortunes into blessings?
1. God has most definately brought blessings upon me through misfortune.
2. I can't always tell if other people found blessings through their misfortunes, but I hope they do!
3. I trust in a gracious and loving God who will bring about blessings through misfortunes in his own time.
Today, look at life, yours and your neighbor's How often did our gracious God turn apparent misfortune into richest blessings!
The first misfortune that comes into my mind is Hurricane Katrina. While I still battle with the loss and separation, there are many ways God has blessed us through the storm. Firstly, we have learned to survive and cope. We know what family means. And, I think the biggest blessing we received was realizing what home means and never taking it for granted. I can't tell now exactly what stemmed directly from the storm, but I know that I and my entire family have a completely different perspective on life because of it. Regardless, for many misfortunes in the world, there are ways that God's love and blessings shine through. For example, look at other natural disasters and the way people band together to provide resources and support to the victims of such events. God definitely brings out the best in many people.
Katrina and natural disasters aside, I'm trying to think about my neighbors' misfortunes and blessings. This is a tricky meditation for me. I don't know if I could rightfully say that good things came out of bad situations that happened to others because it's subjective. It might seem good to me, but they might not see it that way. I can think of a lot of misfortunes that happened to many of my friends. However, I feel like it's presumptuous of me to assume they've witnessed blessings in their lives through those misfortunes. It's not to say I can't believe they've been blessed with many things: children, new opportunities, a refreshed outlook on life, an adventure. But to say they've received those blessings through misfortunes seems unfair for me to judge. However, if I believe in a far and gracious God, which I do, then I have faith that he will in fact -- in his own time -- bring forth blessings in our lives through apparent misfortunes. Therefore, I do find consolation in the fact that when I or my neighbor is faced with misfortune, large or small, that blessings will come eventually through personal perseverance and a strong faith in God. I feel like that seems overly optimistic, but I've been there. I've had a few misfortunes in my life, and I've handled them, mentally and spiritually, in different ways. I know from experience that faithful dedication to God's graciousness and fairness only brings about the most beautiful blessings - more than you probably could have imagined on your own. It's truly amazing!
Recap: Look at your and your neighbor's lives. How often did God turn misfortunes into blessings?
1. God has most definately brought blessings upon me through misfortune.
2. I can't always tell if other people found blessings through their misfortunes, but I hope they do!
3. I trust in a gracious and loving God who will bring about blessings through misfortunes in his own time.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Advent: Wednesday, First Week
November 30, 2011
Observe quietly today: Is there some way to reach out, to extend an invitation, to care, to share? In winding down my last few weeks at my current company, I have plenty of time for observation lately. I'm observing busy bees around the office, bustling to make the clients and consultants happy while maintaining their own sanity. I'm observing intimate meetings with coworkers where we laugh and joke around, but really hone in on some amazing new ideas for the business. I realize no one can run the company alone. It takes every moving part to make it work. In the same way that an organization needs each of its members, people in and around one's personal life need other people too to help them fulfill their highest dreams and aspirations.
I've also observed this evening how much my husband and I depend on each other for laughter, strength, and overall wellness. Sometimes we need to reach out to each other, even if we don't realize that we need to. It takes that initial invitation to talk and to be a listener. And, I value that so much. What would he do without that person in his life to really listen, understand, and care so much? Furthermore, I value just as much my friendships and family relationships. It's easy to take for granted sometimes, especially in the age of social media, that I will always have someone to reach out to. But, we need to be careful about that. We all know that we can be friends with hundreds of people online, but what happens in a real time of need? You need someone to trust. You need someone to listen and bounce ideas off of. Sometimes, those people don't come very easily, and you have to work to foster those relationships. Sometimes, it's not very easy for some people to do the work. Whether they battle shyness, extensive work schedules, alcoholism or drug abuse, physical disabilities that keep them bedridden, many people may not be able to have the resources to get out there and build these important relationships.
If organizations depend upon its members to operate, if husbands and wives depend upon each other for love and support, and if one relies on friends and family to care and share, then it is obvious that as humans, we need others to help us feel fulfilled, loved, and strengthened through our ups and downs.
I'm imagining now the people who don't have that person... one person to reach out to when they're in need. How isolating! How lonely and frightful! The sheer thought of such loneliness calls to mind a sense of desperation. This seems to me now where the calling of sacrifice comes in for those of us who are fortunate enough to have a strong web of relationships upon which one can always rely. It's easy to donate money or canned goods, but wow, it is difficult to donate one's time! Taking two hours of one's very busy and regimented schedule to visit a lonely stranger in a long term care facility seems like a joke. How can one possible fit that in too? It's a decision. It's a sacrifice. You simply come home two hours earlier from the bar on Friday night, wake up two hours earlier on Saturday and just do it! Connection to others is almost as vital as food, clothing, & shelter. Imagine the overwhelming relief and sense of connection a person who never receives a visitor would feel with even one visit...one phone call! You could really impact that person's life.
There are many ways to reach out, to share, and to care. It's time to make the decision to put them in action. Tonight, I'll pray for all the lonely people in the world and for strength to make the sacrifice to reach out in a new and different way.
Recap - Observe quietly. How can you reach out, extend an invitation, care, and share?
1. Never take your relationships for granted.
2. We need others to help us feel fulfilled, loved, and strengthened.
3. Make a conscious decision to reach out to those most in need of a connection.
Observe quietly today: Is there some way to reach out, to extend an invitation, to care, to share? In winding down my last few weeks at my current company, I have plenty of time for observation lately. I'm observing busy bees around the office, bustling to make the clients and consultants happy while maintaining their own sanity. I'm observing intimate meetings with coworkers where we laugh and joke around, but really hone in on some amazing new ideas for the business. I realize no one can run the company alone. It takes every moving part to make it work. In the same way that an organization needs each of its members, people in and around one's personal life need other people too to help them fulfill their highest dreams and aspirations.
I've also observed this evening how much my husband and I depend on each other for laughter, strength, and overall wellness. Sometimes we need to reach out to each other, even if we don't realize that we need to. It takes that initial invitation to talk and to be a listener. And, I value that so much. What would he do without that person in his life to really listen, understand, and care so much? Furthermore, I value just as much my friendships and family relationships. It's easy to take for granted sometimes, especially in the age of social media, that I will always have someone to reach out to. But, we need to be careful about that. We all know that we can be friends with hundreds of people online, but what happens in a real time of need? You need someone to trust. You need someone to listen and bounce ideas off of. Sometimes, those people don't come very easily, and you have to work to foster those relationships. Sometimes, it's not very easy for some people to do the work. Whether they battle shyness, extensive work schedules, alcoholism or drug abuse, physical disabilities that keep them bedridden, many people may not be able to have the resources to get out there and build these important relationships.
If organizations depend upon its members to operate, if husbands and wives depend upon each other for love and support, and if one relies on friends and family to care and share, then it is obvious that as humans, we need others to help us feel fulfilled, loved, and strengthened through our ups and downs.
I'm imagining now the people who don't have that person... one person to reach out to when they're in need. How isolating! How lonely and frightful! The sheer thought of such loneliness calls to mind a sense of desperation. This seems to me now where the calling of sacrifice comes in for those of us who are fortunate enough to have a strong web of relationships upon which one can always rely. It's easy to donate money or canned goods, but wow, it is difficult to donate one's time! Taking two hours of one's very busy and regimented schedule to visit a lonely stranger in a long term care facility seems like a joke. How can one possible fit that in too? It's a decision. It's a sacrifice. You simply come home two hours earlier from the bar on Friday night, wake up two hours earlier on Saturday and just do it! Connection to others is almost as vital as food, clothing, & shelter. Imagine the overwhelming relief and sense of connection a person who never receives a visitor would feel with even one visit...one phone call! You could really impact that person's life.
There are many ways to reach out, to share, and to care. It's time to make the decision to put them in action. Tonight, I'll pray for all the lonely people in the world and for strength to make the sacrifice to reach out in a new and different way.
Recap - Observe quietly. How can you reach out, extend an invitation, care, and share?
1. Never take your relationships for granted.
2. We need others to help us feel fulfilled, loved, and strengthened.
3. Make a conscious decision to reach out to those most in need of a connection.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Wow - a whole week has passed!
Time flies when you're having fun - I guess. I feel awful. I have a bad case of laryngitis and have had to "talk" on the phone today, embarrassed and having to apologize for my current condition. The medicine I'm taking makes me nauseous (or maybe it was the EasyMac I had for my afternoon snack). Either way, I'm so glad this work day is almost over!
I'm excited for a bunch of reasons, though:
1) Michael Buble was fantastic last night! We had such a great time!
2) Mal's coming to spend a few days with us, and she is always such a kick! Tonight we're having dinner at Nacho Mama's.
3) After our Mexican outing, we are going to hurry up, do homework, take showers, etc. so we can get cozy for the 2nd to last episode of this season's "Project Runway". woot! As a side note: "Workout" is coming back for another season and I couldn't be MORE excited! Jackie Warner inspired me and TJ when we were at the height of our gym days. Hopefully, by watching her each week, we'll get inspired again to kick our workout routines into high gear. We're putting all our bets on this new P90X routine that should be arriving on our doorstep any day now... we'll see.
4) Friday will be a GIGANTICO day for TJ in so many ways. Maybe my stomach is nauseous with anxiety. More on that in a few days.........
5) We're starting our water heater project this weekend. This will be the first major renovation that we're completing as a married couple in our house. Of course, we're doing it the cheap & easy way by having TJ's uncle do the job. But, he's very good at what he does - so, let's keep our finger's crossed that our house doesn't flood or burn down during this project.
6) I also start volunteering this Saturday. I'm excited/nervous, as I should be, I suppose.
I wish I had more time to see my family & friends. :/ It sucks, but everything I'm doing with my time right now is out of sheer necessity. School/career building takes up SO much time, and leaves me with very little space to fit in friends & family, especially those that are out of town. I wish there was a better way, but for now, I'm doing the best I can. Thank goodness for email and facebook! :P
It's almost time to shut it down here at work. I gotta go pick up TJ (we're attempting to save gas money by carpooling ... it's working so far, I think!) ciao ciao!
I'm excited for a bunch of reasons, though:
1) Michael Buble was fantastic last night! We had such a great time!
2) Mal's coming to spend a few days with us, and she is always such a kick! Tonight we're having dinner at Nacho Mama's.
3) After our Mexican outing, we are going to hurry up, do homework, take showers, etc. so we can get cozy for the 2nd to last episode of this season's "Project Runway". woot! As a side note: "Workout" is coming back for another season and I couldn't be MORE excited! Jackie Warner inspired me and TJ when we were at the height of our gym days. Hopefully, by watching her each week, we'll get inspired again to kick our workout routines into high gear. We're putting all our bets on this new P90X routine that should be arriving on our doorstep any day now... we'll see.
4) Friday will be a GIGANTICO day for TJ in so many ways. Maybe my stomach is nauseous with anxiety. More on that in a few days.........
5) We're starting our water heater project this weekend. This will be the first major renovation that we're completing as a married couple in our house. Of course, we're doing it the cheap & easy way by having TJ's uncle do the job. But, he's very good at what he does - so, let's keep our finger's crossed that our house doesn't flood or burn down during this project.
6) I also start volunteering this Saturday. I'm excited/nervous, as I should be, I suppose.
I wish I had more time to see my family & friends. :/ It sucks, but everything I'm doing with my time right now is out of sheer necessity. School/career building takes up SO much time, and leaves me with very little space to fit in friends & family, especially those that are out of town. I wish there was a better way, but for now, I'm doing the best I can. Thank goodness for email and facebook! :P
It's almost time to shut it down here at work. I gotta go pick up TJ (we're attempting to save gas money by carpooling ... it's working so far, I think!) ciao ciao!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)