A Little Bit Blustery

As the wind whips around just outside my patio door, I cuddle deep into the blanket on my love seat, and cower a bit from its overwhelming strength. Wind is a powerful element - and the most amazing, and one of the most frightening things, about it is that it's one of nature's only forces that cannot actually be *seen*. Yes, we can see the trees bending and sweeping at the sky, and hear the wind chimes clanging, but we cannot actually see wind - and yet it can be one of the most damaging forces of nature. One thing is for certain though, wind is never silent.

So much of the time, we stifle our real thoughts and our real beliefs just because they are not conventional. We go along with what everyone else is doing just because it is what everyone else is doing. We certainly don't want to step on anyone's toes or hurt anyone's feelings either... We also just trudge along living our day-to-day lives never really thinking about how our attitude can affect others. If we are negative, snotty, rude, inconsiderate, impatient, or downright mean, we're only bringing more of those negative things into OUR life.

So today, I am done being silent.

As of today, I am taking a stand to acknowledge out loud once and for all that I believe in God. Most people have probably known that I have believed for years, but there was something about today that really pulled me to stop and really BELIEVE. Did a miracle happen? Maybe not the conventional kind, but certainly a miraculous conversion of my heart. Today I want God to be EVERYWHERE in my life. I want Him to be there when I wake up, when I eat breakfast, while I get ready, while I drive to work, while I am at work, while I am eating lunch, while I am at the gym, and while I do my nightly routine. I want to talk to Him like He's my best friend - simply because I need more best friends. Honestly, He's better than a best friend. He doesn't judge me, and He always listens. He has forgiven some of my biggest mistakes, and taken them far, far away. He has touched my heart today, and He has told me to no longer be afraid and silent. He wants me to find joy in everything again instead of just cruising blindly along. He is my guide, and He is the wind that has stirred my very soul.

Am I still ashamed of my sins? Of course. Am I still scared that I'll never be perfect? Absolutely. But my strength is in the Lord and He will guide me all the rest of my days.

Today, I challenge you to listen to the wind inside your heart. What has it been trying to tell you? Are you happy with your life and the way you choose to live it? Are you dwelling too much in negative thoughts, attitudes and actions? Challenge yourself to take a step outside your comfort zone. You may just find that where you feel less comfortable, you feel more true to yourself. 

Don't Catch a Case of Zilla!

Ever think to yourself that something in your life has to follow a certain path in order to be accepted?

As a bride-to-be, I am quickly seeing that there are many things that people will try to influence and pressure about when it comes to following 'etiquette' or 'tradition'. While I am a rather classic gal myself, I cannot always say that I appreciate so much 'persuasion'. In fact, there are some traditions that I'd like to follow my own personality on.

Anymore it seems like a wedding is a big palooza parade with lots of hassles and headaches - for everyone around. No wonder they have even created the show 'Bridezillas'. I can easily see how I could mutate and become one. Hah! The truth is, I think that 'zilla' (see definition at end of post) is not only caught by the bride. Sometimes it's the overenthusiastic aunt, or the boisterous bridesmaid who's just trying to be a good friend. Whoever it may be, it's key to not get upset about the 'suggestions'; instead, smile, listen, and acknowledge their ideas; then move forward with what your heart feels is right for you. In the end, it is your special day to celebrate.

This 'zilla' effect is not just limited to weddings or brides... Zillas are everywhere these days. Community groups, schools, work, the gym, or even the cashier at the grocery store. It seems that everywhere we go we are constantly getting stopped and questioned about our choices - which seemed so simple to us... Unfortunately, it's quite easy to feel the burning pressure from these questioning folks, and secede are seemingly innocent attempt to do what we have always deemed okay and change to the mainstream. We might even feel embarrassed or flabbergasted and tongue-tied and quickly shuffle along to not cause any further 'disturbances'.

But next time, before you shuffle away without saying what your intentions were, I want you to think of the countryside. Close your eyes and envision the pure, fresh, serene and uncharted tall grasses. Then think about lacing up your hiking shoes to take on the terrain. Challenge yourself to take that one step further from civilization and mainstream, and one step closer to self-awareness and natural peace. Pretty soon, your sense of clarity will be restored, and you'll realize, that there is nothing wrong with your choice, and that you deserve to do the things that make your heart truly happy.

So, just like a country road, our paths in life may not be preconceived with pavement, painted lines, and highway signs. Instead, we may forge our way through the untrekked plains. We may wander, and get distracted, but we will make discoveries.

And for all the big things that come your way, whether it be your choice of school, profession, what groceries you're buying or what exercises you're trying at the gym - as long as you are focusing on what makes your heart truly happy, then you will find that every day is a special day to celebrate.

zilla definition - anyone who is makes an unnecessary judgement or comment about your choices; usually someone highly persuasive, repetitive, and unrelenting; can cause feelings of anxiety, frustration. Zilla is also highly contagious.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Ever have a day where EVERYONE annoys you, and every possible thing seems to go wrong? It seems to start from the moment you wake up. The sun is either too bright or the clouds are too grey. The coffee's too weak or too strong - and of course you are out of cream! You forgot to charge your phone, AND your shower seems to no longer provide hot water. You forgot your clothes in the washing machine and there's not a single matching pair of socks in your dresser drawer. Then when you arrive a minute late to work or class, you're singled out for being irresponsible, even though you are ALMOST ALWAYS on time. Sigh... We all know this too well, right?

Of course there is no way we can control the things that annoy us. Life has its way of going its own direction at all times. All we can do is learn how to deal with these annoyances.

When I was in middle school, I remember every day in the morning our guidance counselor would come over the loud speaker to give a little motivational talk along with brief announcements, and then she would always end with a small but powerful message: "make it a great day or not, the choice is always yours". Now at the time, I was 13 and felt like this claim was totally false. Everything that happened to me always felt like the END OF THE WORLD, and EVERYONE was out to get me. That's just how a 13-year-old is though, and I've come to terms with the fact that I have grown up a LOT over the years! Haven't we all? ;)

Well, maybe not everyone has....

Working in the retail industry, I am downright SHOCKED at how some people can be so RUDE. No one seems to have patience anymore, and everything truly is always about THEM. It is hard to act with grace and compassion towards such selfish people, and yet I am called to do so every day. There always seems to be that one incident though where I just snap and I just want to yell, get snotty, or even refuse someone service.

Then, I think about how my actions DO truly affect others. If I choose to be rude and negative, then those choices will ultimately circle back to me. If I choose to act with compassion, patience, and respect, then I believe that those actions will circle back all the same. How can I act that way when so many people try to trip my trigger, though?

Simple. I always think about how that person is another beautiful creation of God. I try to see Christ in them, even though it's hard. I take a deep breath, and sometimes I do need to say something about how they are treating me. I confront them honestly and head-on. I will say, "I do not appreciate your tone, and I am trying to help you. Will you please calm down so that I can focus on doing the best job I can." I will tell you, about 95% of the time, this approach will work. Sometimes, there are folks who are beyond any consolation, but you can't let it get to you.

And this goes for anything else that might annoy you throughout your day. Try to find the beauty in failed attempts and stumblings. All things are bright and beautiful, and at the end of the day, you still have loved ones in your life, a warm house, and a warm bed. You are blessed and you are beautiful. It is your job to share your best side with the world. Yes, there will be times when we too fall short, but even when we do, there is beauty. I promise.