Unfinished Projects

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Unfinished projects keep me feeling like something is hanging over me all the time. I am returning to Lubbock one more time to finish our house. Hopefully it will be my last until we sign the papers. I know I am not alone in the feeling of incompleteness. Some people have several projects going at a time and never really complete any one of them. I have heard that this is not good. If we will just see the project through to completeness it will give us a sense of accomplishment that actually helps us in all areas of our lives. So whether it is needlework or that fix it project in the house or whatever, we need to finish what we begin. As we do so the loose ends in our lives will begin to be all tied up. We will sleep better, be more relaxed and have that sense of accomplishment that we are finding so illusive. So today I will finish it all up, or at least before I leave town.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

3CATSLEP 3/4/2010 8:41PM

I agree with you and I wish you well in Lubbock! Report Inappropriate Comment

VIOLINLADY3 3/4/2010 7:57PM

Yeah, I'm an orchestra teacher and have so many things on my To Do list. The thing is you do something on it but I then have to do it again and it never really gets checked off, just postponed to another date. I completely agree with you that this can be very discouraging. In my case, I just have to choose to consider the task done, even though I'll have to do it again. Definitely have a lot of craft projects to finish. I swing dance and started making a poodle skirt. I've told myself that I'm not allowed to get any more decorations/crafts until I finish it. Report Inappropriate Comment

GABY1948 3/4/2010 12:55PM

I agree with Lou, you have also described MY life. I let it get bad enough and then can't take the stress and make a list with EVERYTHING I need to do no matter how small and then it feels SO good...but I let it go again. I need to keep up with it just as you said! Thanks for the reminder. Report Inappropriate Comment

IUHRYTR 3/4/2010 10:28AM

You have described my current life. What with various writing and editing projects and de-cluttering, some days I feel overwhelmed. But I will take your advice and pick one project to finish. then another one. Thanks for a clear perspective. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

Investing in the Future

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Unfortunately it is many times when we are faced with death that we really begin to live. It is then that we realize what it is that is really important. When faced with our mortality we see that it is relationships that make life worth living. It is not how much money we made that stands out, but the threat of lost relationships that causes us the greatest regrets. Did we spend so many hours at work that we lost our children's love and respect? Did we cultivate and spend time on what really mattered? Often times we long for just a few more minutes with the ones that really matter most. I loved the poem I read when my kids were small. It talked about how when you were gone the world would never know whether or not your house was clean, but they would definitely know the character and investments made in our children. Nothing can replace the effect of our relationships. Our greatest legacy is that which we leave behind in the lives we touched. No one cares about all the other things that seem so important to us now. I want to look for more creative ways to let those I love know it. I once wondered if anyone would ever show up to my funeral. Our greatness is not what will attract them, it is our love that draws others. I will invest in my future as I invest in the lives of others. Oh that it would be investments of gold and not wood, hay and stubble.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VIOLINLADY3 3/4/2010 6:02AM

I have been trying to work on showing other people how much I care about them too lately. I have a tendency to get stressed out about my job and a bit overly negative. I find that when I focus on other people my job and life are much more rewarding and I don't notice all the negative things so much and as a result become a more positive person. Report Inappropriate Comment

DEBBIE98632 3/3/2010 4:29PM

I so agree...an untimely death can really make you stop and take stock. This happened for me and I have definitely changed priorities because of it! Thanks again for the reminder. Nothing like the present, to cherish those we love and care about. Report Inappropriate Comment

IUHRYTR 3/3/2010 4:06PM

"...it is our love that draws others." I agree. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

The Riches We Have

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

I have a couple of things wandering through my head so we'll see which one sticks. One of my Spark e-mails today was about being grateful for the luxuries we have. Then there is the line in The Blind Side where the kid is just so thankful to have a bed to sleep in at night. My mind immediately went to Haiti. They have lost everything. So many times we don't think of the things we have as luxuries yet to others they would be the greatest treasures on earth. When I was a student in Bible college I had very little money to live on. In fact it was about $10 a week. Though a LONG time ago, $10 didn't go very far. I learned what to eat to stay satisfied for a longer period of time and what would not satisfy for more than an hour or so. I remember looking at the food my roommates threw away and wishing I could take it out of the trash without them even seeing it. Or I wished I had the money they spent on a coke without even thinking. I thank God often for my house and bed and the food in the freezer, and for the freezer. We just don't know how fortunate we are. In a single turn of events it could all be taken from us. When we give to the poor the Bible says we lend to God. To me that says He will repay us. That's a nice thought. The poor are very close to God's heart. Sometimes I just wish they were closer to mine. They are easy to forget about because sometimes it is just uncomfortable. Or I give out of the "goodness" of my heart to make myself feel better. I don't think that's the attitude God would desire to see in me. They don't need my pity or for me to be puffed up in my own eyes. Oh that my heart would beat with greater compassion.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

3CATSLEP 3/2/2010 9:11PM

Dear Cindy, Your honesty is so humbling. Thank you for sharing this and reminding me of the same. Blessings to you and yours, my sister! Report Inappropriate Comment

GABY1948 3/2/2010 8:35PM

Cindy, I never thought of it that way, but you are right...alot of things are painful to me to think about but that isn't the right thing to do. I guess you just showed me another thing I have to work on too. Thanks, Gaye Report Inappropriate Comment

PURPLELVR7 3/2/2010 12:58PM

We do need to re-evaulate our perspectives - thanks for the reminder Report Inappropriate Comment

NJMATTICE 3/2/2010 11:56AM

It is a matter of perspective. I'm working on changing mine to recognize my abundant and gifted life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. -nj Report Inappropriate Comment

IUHRYTR 3/2/2010 11:42AM

Giving seems to generate more of what we give away. And the good feeling of helping another stays with us. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

Posture and Life

Monday, March 01, 2010

I am amazed sometimes at what a difference a posture makes on my dog's behavior. She immediately settles down and is easier to handle if she will just sit. It is easier to get a child's attention if you sometimes cup their head in your hands and definitely when you make eye contact. If I sit slouched in my chair I have a different mindset than if I sit at attention or straight in my chair. I also have different postures in prayer. When I really get down to business it is always laying down with my face to the ground. I love praying on my bed or even in the dark with no distractions. I know this has been studied by someone somewhere, but posture has a lot to do with our outlook on life. A simple change there can perhaps make the difference between a lacking and a productive day. Today I am going to pay a little more attention to how I sit, walk and stand and how they meake me feel. I guess you could call it my own personal investigation!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KHDOESMK 3/1/2010 10:48PM

What's interesting is I had very poor posture before I started working out. It is so much better now as the core and strength training really changed it. And BTW, thanks, will try the "on my face posture" on my bed....good idea for someone older like me! Report Inappropriate Comment

GOSPELCLOWN 3/1/2010 3:12PM

We need to be reminded of posture so that we can help our heart pump and our lungs work too. I'm a prayer sitter but DH likes to kneel. I have to work on that also. Karen Report Inappropriate Comment

LALASLAND 3/1/2010 3:02PM

I always like to kneel down by our bed to say evening prayers. At first, DH didn't see the point, but now he will do it with me. I just told him that it makes me feel more "reverent", more connected somehow. I just thought it was because I was taught that way, but now that you mention it, I think it is a type of posture! Report Inappropriate Comment

IUHRYTR 3/1/2010 1:42PM

Hmmm. Never really paid attention to posture except to stand up straight, don't slouch and the other admonishments from parents when I was young. Now I need to do my own investigation, too. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

What's your Motive?

Saturday, February 27, 2010

What are your motives in serving God? Jesus asked the blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" The man received what he asked for because of his faith. Some want to serve God for wealth and riches. Others, it may be for freedom from what torments them. Others, simply to fit in. We have as many motives perhaps as there are people. He who is forgiven much loves much. We appreciate Him more for what He has done for us if we have really blown it in life. That is in no means a reason to really blow it either. I don't care what others think of me, to a certain extent that is. It hurts me when others think things of me that are not true or belittle my faith in God. But I will never doubt His existence or hopefully ever turn my back on Him. Peter was sure he would never deny Him, but he did, so I am careful of what I say I will never do. Some followed Jesus because of the miracles or the food that was provided. Are we shallow in our beliefs or do they have some kind of depth? I love Jesus because He is my deliverer, friend and savior. What I had without Him isn't worth trying to regain.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KHDOESMK 2/27/2010 9:57PM

Amen and AMEN! Report Inappropriate Comment

VIOLINLADY3 2/27/2010 1:04PM

God really is great! You should see the video link I just posted in my blog it addresses this issue. God is not here to make our lives comfortable! Report Inappropriate Comment

IUHRYTR 2/27/2010 1:02PM

When I came to know the miracle of people and things I came to realize there just had to be something or someone behind it all. It's simply to mind-numbing to believe all of life happened by accident. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

NJMATTICE 2/27/2010 11:37AM

Thank you for sharing your journey with the courage of your convictions. -nj Report Inappropriate Comment

3CATSLEP 2/27/2010 11:25AM

Oh, how beautiful! I love God because He is the creator of all things, including me, and my purpose is to please Him, worship Him, honor, Him and spread His Word. Have a wonderful day, sister! Report Inappropriate Comment