Joy and Strength

Nehemiah 8:10
“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

THE DEFINITIONS

Grieved/Grief
“deep mental suffering often endured alone and in silence but revealed by one's aspect (or appearance). Also, keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; painful regret."

Joy
1. a deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment
2. something causing such a feeling; a source of happiness
3. an outward show of pleasure or delight; rejoicing
4. success; satisfaction.

Strength
Place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold.
Strength is the inherent capacity to manifest energy, to endure, and to resist.
A place of safety, fastness, harbour, stronghold, refuge, human protection.

MY THOUGHTS

The big thing that got me with this one was that grief is mental distress/suffering endured alone and in silence. Often we take these big heavy burdens onto ourselves, internalize them and they make us sick from the inside out. We think that just because we don't verbalize our pain that others aren't affected, but it is written in our body language and our mannerisms. It struck me how this one word can pretty much sum up all of life's badness: affliction, loss, sorrow, and even regret. Most of these things we can't even control or stop from coming at us. They just do. What we can control, instead, is our response to them. Our first instinct is to grieve. The emotion comes naturally, but we don't want to get stuck there.

Joy becomes our grief weapon and equips us with strength. I love this definition of strength: "The inherent capacity to manifest energy, to endure, and to resist. A means of safety, protection, refuge..." Holding onto joy, that's what gives us strength. The Lord gives us this burst of life and endurance in the midst of our circumstances. It's that extra pep to our step when we feel like fainting. It's the encouraging word to our neighbor when our own lives are in ruin. It's that ability to dig deep in order to bless someone else, even when we ourselves should be at the point of exhaustion. He picks us up, energizes us, and we have the incredible capacity to wear a smile even when all seems lost.

Joy is found by giving to others, and pouring into their hurting souls. It is striving with someone through the grit and the grime of the messes of life. It is picking up pieces of a broken heart and holding them until that person is strong enough to put them back together. It's going that extra mile and giving that extra smile. It's better that way.

“Joy lies in the fight, in the attempt, in the suffering involved, not in the victory itself”

-Mahatma Gandhi 

“Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness” 

-Tolstoy

Legacy

This weekend, my family and I went to the MN History Center to see the play "1968 - The Year that Rocked the World" featuring our Uncle Jerry Miron. It was a special time of making memories, and honoring the heros in our life.

In Uncle Jerry's words, "The real heroes are the people that don't want to be heroes, they just get put in a situation and react." Those are the people we need around us, the silent heroes. The people who react from the bottom of their heart in every day situations. The people who bring out the best in those around them, who care enough to ask your name and give you a hug. They are the people who in one moment are a perfect stranger, and the next they bring you into their world of love and make you feel like a million bucks.

They are people like you and me, who don't feel like they have much to offer the world, but are willing to make an effort. They put themselves out there, in the hope that their story can help someone else. They are the people who rise above heartaches, life's trials, hopelessness, and choose to beleive in a bigger picture. They cling to the hope that " [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." Romans 8:28 

I'm so blessed and honored to have married into such a loving and God-fearing family. I know we all aren't perfect, but in striving to live our lives for God's glory, and touch those around us, we are creating a beautiful legacy.

Time and Meltdowns

I had a meltdown yesterday. My student yelled and thew a pencil at me, told me I was weird, and that I need to stop saying things that make him mad. Oh... and that I can't smile. Ha! It was a really long bad day, and I cried the whole drive home. That was soon followed by a panic attack that I don't have enough time in the day to work both jobs, eat, love on the hubs, be with family, be a friend, or do things that I enjoy.

I realize I need to work on time management. I'm learning to keep weeding out the things that only bring me down, and add some space the things that make me feel alive. I need a fresh dose of life in my living!

((Update)) As I was writing this, I got an update from one of my favorite people. This must be a theme today. Take a listen to Terri's take on Time Management. I will be using her Time Maps to get a grip on things.

So how do we cope when we feel overwhelmed, out of control, and burnt out? This is what I do, and you should try too!

1. Breathe a prayer. Pause and know that God cares about you and the situation, and ask for His guidence.

2. Realize that all situations are temporary and will change eventually.

3. Do something you can control. (work out, write your feelings, change your attitude, ect) 

4. Schedule some quiet time, even if it's just a few minutes to chill out, get your head back on straight. Listen to some music, hold your loved one, kitty, dog... whatever will calm you down.

Word of Encouragement

Psalm 119:105 "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

What this means to me: The Bible sheds light on our current circumstances, it gives us something to work with in the here and now. Also, it gives us light into the rest of our lives, the big picture, and the course that we should follow.



Confession - I'm drinking my coffee again. It makes me a better human being. All in moderation. 12 hour work days are not possible with a boost. Forgive me.

I've Got Skills!

What are those gifts that seem to come second nature to you, that you maybe shove aside as insignificant? Remember David? The shepherd that took down the giant Goliath? To David, using his slingshot as a weapon was just part of his unglamourous job as a shepherd. Yet this little skill was used to bring down a giant, and earned him honor among kings!

The giant that David faced was mocking his Country and his God. This upset David in a primal way. The little kid-shepherd took a stand, with the skills that he had. Grown men, seasoned soldiers even, cowered in fear at the feet of the giant. David stood, and fought for the destiny of his people, his Land, and his faith.

I think we need to be a little more primal in our lives and our reactions. So much of life we go through politically correct and numbed down that we pass up opportunities to shine, to fight for what we believe, and make a difference with our skills and passion. Make a little noise, be yourself, and take joy in your strengths. Even if they seem unglamourous at the moment, you have this life to use them for a purpose. Offer help when you see a need, even if it’s something little. Stop and injustice when you can, before it escalates into an ugly giant. Don’t waste your precious time on things that don’t matter.

This year, I’m focusing on using those talents, and touching the lives of those in my world. Right now I’m working full-time and then doing my cognitive training at night. This makes for 12 hours days, and weekend hours. At the end of the day my mind tells me I should be exhausted, but I’m discovering this magical feeling of excitement that tells me I’m right where I need to be. Offering these students a good dose of self-confidence and skills that will change their life is exhilarating! It’s so hard, and tears are shed, but when they look up and I see that it clicks in their head, and their eyes sparkle with hope, all the late nights and the long hours are so worth it!

So often, I haven't spoken up or done anything because I've felt small and insignificant. I've felt worthless and walked over. I've felt like my small voice, my small thoughts, my wants, my hopes, and my dreams were somehow inferior. I haven't felt strong enough, smart enough, brave enough, or skilled enough to do the things I want. Paralizing right? To focus on that makes me freeze in my tracks with self loathing and doubt. I hate being vulnerable to failure.

It's liberating to take a look at the things we do have to offer!

Shonlock via Twitter: “David would have been defeated by Goliath had he used the armor. But he wasn’t. He used what God gave him 2 use. So use what God has given you.”

What’s your skill? Making music, speaking, writing, being a friend, designing web sites, teaching, feeding people, training dogs. . . training brains? :) You have a skill right now. I guarentee there is something in your life that you are better at then most people. Take that skill, maximize it, look it from a different viewpoint and run with it!

Go further!
Here are some people/info that has inspired me lately:

Live Your Legend - Scott Dinsmore Practical advice and ispritation to get you where you want to be in life. Learn what you are passionate about and how to use your passions.

Terri Savelle Foy Character shaping tools for being the best you that you can be. Guidance on putting the past behind and getting prepared for the future.

Carlos Whittaker / Ragamuffin Soul Fresh outlook on life, God, and the people we share the planet with. This guy makes me take a good hard look at myself.

Caffeine Free Day #1

I did something a little crazy today. I gave up caffeine. Oh dear... that just makes me cringe to say. Those who know me definitely know that coffee is my drug of choice. I don't remember the last time I went more than a day or two without some coffee. The thing is, I want to be myself without depending on a substance to get me through the day. It's bad when I feel depressed without it, and the highlight of my day is a double espresso. I'm doing this purely for myself and my health, and will be having coffee again in my life... just in moderation.

The last time I did this, in 2007 when I had mono, was quite by accident. The migraines were terrible. I'm drinking lots of tea and water, as well as working out with my favorite Jillian Michaels. Peeing and sweating it all out, I'll be clean in no time! =)

I bid you farewell caffeine, you make my heart beat fast. . . but I need to be free. Time to be happy myself, and see what I'm really made of!

Writer's Block Blues

This writer's block needs to end. It's been months. Between working two jobs, caring for home and family, and  other priorities, I feel void of inspiration for this blog. I want this blog to be full of honesty, and so here it is. I don't have anything to say, nothing profound or inspirational, so I'm just going to be candid. 


I got a new car this week, that is fun! I've only had one car my entire driving history, so this is life changing! 2008 Ford Fusion. Heated leather seats baby! I'm loving it!


I kept up with my fitness/weight goals over the holidays. Jillian Michaels is still my saving grace and motivation through this journey. I love her weekly podcast, such a mood booster! I've lost 20 more pounds in 2011, for a grand total of 83 pounds lost since July 2010! Amazing!!


The Hubs and I just celebrated our 1st Wedding Anniversary! People say that the first year of marriage is usually really hard as you get to know the other person in a while new light. Learning to sacrifice your own wants and desires, to become one, can be a painful process. The joy and that love that you share bandages up those selfish wounds. From my experience, I’ve come out of this year a better person than I began. I more in love, and ready to fight for us.

5 Things I’ve Learned:

1. Flirt with your hubby/wifey daily.
2. Make goals together and brainstorm your dreams.
3. Talk things out when they bug you, and don’t let things pile up in the shadows.
4. It’s life changing to be loved unconditionally.
5. Life and relationships are never going to be perfect all the time, they won’t always be what we think we need. . . but, I’m learning to savor the moments that seem too good to be true, and when you’re looking for them, they come around more often.


So there's my writer's block entry. Dreaming of the inspiration to come. Hugs and love!

It Could Happen

Have you ever been stumped by a huge problem, and though people offered you advice and ideas to overcome it, you shot them down every time? Every new option was immediately doused with a dose of your own reality and list of reasons why that couldn't possibly work. This turns even the smallest of petty problems into mountainous obstacles.

I've been there.
Confession: my Thanksgiving turkey would not fit in my crock pot... no pan was big enough... I wouldn't be home to watch it in the oven...all other stores were closed... the Holiday was ruined. Haha, how pathetic, right? As I cried on the phone to my mom, I knew I sounded childish and ridiculous. Yet, in that moment, that turkey was ruining my day and stealing my joy. After I took a chill pill, I realized that I was being dumb, and my mom is in fact a brilliant woman. All of her solutions would have worked. (PS - She ended up bringing the turkey this year... love you Mom!)

I love how life coach Scott Dinsmore (Live Your Legend) puts it: "As humans, our immediate reaction to someone’s new idea (or our own) often is to figure out why it won’t work. I know, sad but true. The problem is that when you get critical of something the moment the idea comes up, it gets stomped out immediately. It might not even make it more than a sentence or two before someone else yells out the reasons it ‘obviously’ won’t work. Then you feel stupid and move on. . . Imagine how many brilliant ideas get killed too soon due to premature criticism."

Next time, instead of smothering that flame of a new idea take a few minutes to give it wings. Let your imagination soar to all the positive ways it would turn out. Write your dreams and goals down daily, and take the time to visualize them actually happening. 

Further Proof

Isaiah 40:27-31
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind

Ephesians 3:20
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.”
Albert Einstein

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Eleanor Roosevelt

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So, get on your way."
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."
Walt Disney