Make Aggressive Mistakes

Saturday, January 09, 2010

I've been participating in an on-line Bible study that my church has started up. We have been reading the book of Proverbs. If you are not religious, I gotta say, the book of Proverbs is amazing! There is so much practical stuff in there.

Today, I found myself struck with one of the "challenges". There were four. 1. Connect and Listen (for wisdom/truth in your life)
2. Act on the truth we receive (they pointed out that we often do not understand everything we read[in the Bible] but that we can act on what we do understand and that more understanding will follow-love that!)
3. Be in community [with others seeking God].
4. Make aggressive mistakes.

#4, is what strikes me. Make Aggressive Mistakes! Who tells you to do that??? Don't we spend most of our lives being told to do things right? Make it perfect? Get an A? Win the game? Score the goal? Eat the right food? Exercise the right amount? Look good? Make your clothes match? Ugh! I could go on!

What if the World operated on the premise of Make Mistakes? What if your boss encouraged you to be bold and take risks? That is was okay to be wrong? What if our parents raised us like that? My childhood certainly would have looked a whole lot different. My self esteem would have been a whole lot higher. I would not be so fearful now.

This fear of failure, mistakes, letting myself/others down would not be what rules my life. OMG! EVERYTHING would be soooo much different!

I simply must work on this challenge. Geeze, what mistakes can I make today? I hope I can push through my fear and get a little messy in my life. And,dare I say? Feel okay about it?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BUTTERCUP76 1/9/2010 3:43PM

Wow, now that I know it's okay to make mistakes I'm not sure where to start. LOL Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMAEAGLE 1/9/2010 1:42PM

Love it! Thanks for sharing, we really do need to hear that it's ok to make mistakes sometimes..... we learn a whole lot when we do! Report Inappropriate Comment

POSITIVELY_EB 1/9/2010 10:54AM

Awesome blog! You hit the nail right square on the head! Hugs! Beverly Report Inappropriate Comment

LEAN-N-LEXY 1/9/2010 10:16AM

I was talking about something like this with my DH the other day in relation to the meaning of the word "sin" as "missing the mark". And I said how it's sad that sin has come to have such a negative connotation. Because if you aren't "sinning" and falling short, it means you're never aiming for God at all. (Rom 3:23) Report Inappropriate Comment

PATRICIAAK 1/9/2010 9:58AM

Making mistakes was a hard one for me, too, until I realized making mistakes made me a 'perfect' human! Report Inappropriate Comment

LISANANCY 1/9/2010 9:58AM

Only people who work hard make "mistakes" I really like the one about the millionaire that lost all his money and made the comment that the first one million was hard. He would do it all over again and make more. I guess this is what they mean "we learn from our mistakes" I hope that when you finally make your "mistake" you will sit there and laugh and laugh and laugh! The world will not stop spinning Report Inappropriate Comment

Snow Day #2. So not the same!

Friday, January 08, 2010

Yesterday I was super blessed to only have 2 kids here (my own 12 year old and a 7 year old). Today--not so. Today I have a total of 6. (it must feel like 7 since that's what I posted on my status, I'm already losin' it! LOL!). I figure it will be fun though. Unfortunately not one parent sent snow clothes with their kids. What is that about?

I don't usually have all of them here all at the same time. I actually like being busy. I just have to think up some activities that everyone can do. I love to play games with them (it's a bit hard with the 14mo and 3 year old though). Speaking of that, I better get going. The troops are calling!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

STOPTHECRAVING 1/8/2010 2:34PM

Okay--so far, so good! We've played games. Built with K-nex and Ello, and Legos. Had a fantastic lunch of Mac-n-cheese, bell peppers, cucumbers, gel-fruit (a parent brought that-eww, I hate jello and fruit!), and milk. I had homemade turkey chili. Now the kids are napping or watching our new DVD of UP. Report Inappropriate Comment

DIXIED88 1/8/2010 10:41AM

Enjoy your day! I bet you will come up with a fun activity for all. Report Inappropriate Comment

POSITIVELY_EB 1/8/2010 10:04AM

Good luck!!! I hope your sanity is still intact at the end of the day!!! LOL! Hugs! Beverly Report Inappropriate Comment

IRIE_KEY 1/8/2010 8:54AM

Sounds like a handful. Wishing you the best possible day. Eileen Report Inappropriate Comment

Snow Day???

Thursday, January 07, 2010

So, our school district called off school because of FEAR of snow coming. There is not a flake in the sky as of yet. Apparently accumulation won't happen til later. I grew up in Michigan. People there seemed to know how to drive in snow and they never called off school (unless the power failed). I live in the Ohio Valley (Cincinnati area). We get ice and snow, but everything shuts down. I don't get it.

I do only have my daughter and one other child here today because of this fear factor. It makes for an easy day for me. The one other child is 7 and quite independent. I'll be summoned for food, and that's about all. I'm not complaining.

I did not do everything on my to do list yesterday, but I did the most important things (IMO)--well the things I most procrastinated about. Now I just need to follow through with filing my FAFSA and getting study books from the library. I WILL exercise today! I MUST! It will help with the 'crazy woman PMS' that I have!

Oh, I am loving The Spark! And the bonus program on here. Lots of action steps and stuff to ponder. Anyone else reading it? (I know you are BUTTERCUP-what are your thoughts?)

Hugs--and stay warm and safe--Jenn

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MISSJACQUE 1/8/2010 6:33AM

Hope you got to enjoy your "slow" day. Report Inappropriate Comment

BUTTERCUP76 1/7/2010 12:19PM

Jenn, I am liking the book, even though I have not gotten to read much of it yet (life keeps happening) I do most of my reading during my lunch hour at work and I kept forgetting to grab it on the way out the door the last few mornings, but I have it with me today and I plan to get through some of it today. They didn't close the schools up here in Toledo today, so far we have only gotten a few flurries, but as you know they are predicting more. It must be a great job to be a weather man, you can be wrong all the time and still be right, like when they say __% of snow and weather it does or not you are still right. Wish I could be wrong even 10% of my work day and still have a job. We'll see what the day brings us. Stay warm! ~Christine~ Report Inappropriate Comment

DIXIED88 1/7/2010 11:00AM

Just rub it in why don't ya! LOL! We had heard since this weekend, we were to have severe winter weather today. But the rain came before the cold front hit so nada. Makes for many a disappointed kids and adults b/c around here, the sidewalks roll up if one snowflake falls. We're wondering if it was a conspiracy with the grocery stores to sell lots of bread and milk! Enjoy your day and get some activity in! Report Inappropriate Comment

POSITIVELY_EB 1/7/2010 9:33AM

I'm in Omaha - and yes, the weather is definitely crazy! The wind here today is howling like a banshee!!! I'm reading the Spark and loving it!!! How awesome! Hope you continue with an easy day! Hugs! Beverly Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNROBERTS54 1/7/2010 9:32AM

They closed school here in south Tennessee based on the prediction of 1/2"!! Glad I don't have kids at home to worry about how to entertain them. Or find child care so I could go to work. And then not even have enough snow to play in. They say they base the school closings on the ruralness of most of the county. But honestly, it is easier to drive on our more rural roads when the ground is frozen. Which it is. Solid. I grew up outside Toledo Ohio, in a very rural area. School there never closed unless there was already 4-5" of snow on the ground. And never just cause it was cold out. Which is why school was closed some places this week. Report Inappropriate Comment

TONISTRELEC 1/7/2010 9:16AM

Hey we hardly ever get snow but the weather stations are calling for a light dusting to an inch. Everything will paralyze and stores will sell out of bread and milk. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHELBYBEAR 1/7/2010 9:14AM

I live north of you, close to Lima, OH. Our kids went to school today and haven't missed a day yet. My brother lives in the Cincy area and there does seem to be a difference in how people "down there" react to snow days. Maybe because we are closer to Michigan? LOL! Report Inappropriate Comment

To be perfectly honest...

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

...I have a love/hate relationship with work and goal setting. I love to feel accomplished. I love to reach a goal. I love to improve myself. But I hate to put anything down in writing. I hate feeling afraid to fail. I hate being a let-down. I hate making mistakes. I like loafing around. I don't like 'earning' for anything (a living, a skinny body, a relationship). I'd rather be handed everything--on a sliver platter, please. See? I can be nice about it. I said "Please".

But doesn't laziness beget more laziness? Isn't it an empty feeling? Why would I crave it then? What is it about people who thrive on goals and attaining them? How do I get that inner drive?

A little at a time, right? Start with a small list. Cross off one thing at a time. Build slowly. Revel in and celebrate the small and the big. Maybe it is a learned thing. Maybe I need to start with having patience (and a list).

I've never been a list maker. (other than groceries) I'm gonna make a list today. I'll be making it on paper so I can have the physical feeling of writing it and them crossing stuff off. But a general list for today will look something like this: drink 8 glasses of water; do a workout video and my strength exercises; look into applying for financial aid for school; find out when CLEP exams are offered and where; prep massage room for giving a massage tonight; make a snow day plan for tomorrow.

Seems good enough for now. Are you a goal setter? Do you have big goals with an action plan to accomplish them? Or do you just go with the flow of the day? Do you make small goals each day?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

POSITIVELY_EB 1/6/2010 8:43PM

Sounds great!!! Go for it! Hugs! Beverly Report Inappropriate Comment

RUTHIEBEAR 1/6/2010 4:32PM

I am so like you with the fear of failure that I cannot get started at times. I love to make a daily list of things to do, and be able to cross them off. It also helps me remember! Make one step at a time towards our bigger goals will make them easier to accomplish. Keep up the good work. Report Inappropriate Comment

MOMMY_IN_MOTION 1/6/2010 3:08PM

I feel like I could have written the beginning of this! Fear of failure was (heck- still is!) a huge problem for me for such a long time! However- I have always been a list maker- I don't know how you get through the day without one! I will say though- that sometimes I will put tasks on my "to do" list that are already done- just so I have something to cross off! Report Inappropriate Comment

DIXIED88 1/6/2010 11:59AM

I'm a goal setter that likes to make lists and check them off as they are completed. My biggest problem is procrastination and completely following through. That's where we are really alike. I write on my list to get laundry completely done. I wash and dry a load and think I'll fold these up in just a second. Then it's two days later and someone in my house can't find a certain pair of pants or the like. Guess what? They are still in the dryer!! In my mind, I did the laundry but really I didn't follow through b/c the lazy man got me. Good luck on your list! It's so satisfying to mark off things as you complete them! Report Inappropriate Comment

BUTTERCUP76 1/6/2010 11:28AM

Wow, I thought you were talking about me for a minute. Is that you in my head going thru all my thoughts? LOL I think there is a little lazy person inside all of us, it's about resistance and honey there are times I beat him with a stick and he still wins. (It's gotta be a him not a her) I too like to write on paper stuff i'd like to accomplish so I have that joy of crossing them off. It makes you see what you have achieved. I think your list is great, well thought out and it sounds so grown up. LOL Good luck getting them all crossed out today, I know you can do it. Get out your big stick and beat that little lazy man down. Report Inappropriate Comment

IRIE_KEY 1/6/2010 10:29AM

I am usually reluctant to set goals, but when I commit it to writing I do love the thrill of the chase. That's why I didn't make resolutions this year - just set a few stretch goals. A little at a time and doable with commitment. Have a great day! Eileen Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSJACQUE 1/6/2010 8:26AM

I don't like goals, I try not to for fear of letting myself down. But I do have an action plan for 2010. There are goals in it and the plan is more of a reminder of what it will take to get there. It's posted all over the house to remind me and keep me focused during the day. My days never seem to go as planned so doing daily goals just doesn't work most times. Report Inappropriate Comment

CHEVY92 1/6/2010 7:45AM

Im a goal maker at work and a go with the flow in my personal life. Im a contrast of 2 totally different lifestyles. What concerns me is as I let myself become more disorganized at home i am becoming more disorganized at work. It seems like it contagious. So I am trying to become organized in all aspects of my life which means lists for me. Good luck and thanks for the honesty. There are a lot people out here just like you. Report Inappropriate Comment

AMR6665 1/6/2010 7:34AM

I am a goal setter with a hint of procrastination thrown in for flavor. I am good at making lists, just have a hard time following through, and like you I hate to fail. So I make a list of 2 goals each day, and when I have a pattern of completing them, I will up it to 3, then 4....etc. So far 2 has been my sticking point. I deal with depression and anxiety on a daily basis and when one or the other rear their ugly head during the day, it makes it hard to move forward. I am working though, if I can just get 2 goals for a week, then celebration here I come! Good luck on your goals, I know you can do it. Report Inappropriate Comment

Ooo Ahhh Dance in Smarty Pants

Monday, January 04, 2010

I'm just feeling saucy and snappy right now. I meant well today. I meant to log in and track everything today. But I didn't. I was extremely productive though. I made four bus stop trips today. grocery shopped. cooked a fabulous lunch. helped with homework. played games. Organized my family room and bedroom. Did some laundry (washed, dried, folded and put away! I might add). Finished an Alex Cross (James Patterson) novel. Oh yeah. I was on fire today. Tomorrow--I track! (oh and maybe tomorrow I'll use more capital letters while typing...)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AMYJO323 1/5/2010 7:46PM

Wow! Sounds exhausting! Report Inappropriate Comment

BUTTERCUP76 1/5/2010 4:45PM

Sounds like you had a good day. Remember it's not about the tracking it's about the knowing what you should and shouldn't eat. If you make the right choices you don't NEED to track (but it sure is fun). Report Inappropriate Comment

DROWSYMAGGIE 1/5/2010 7:50AM

Sounds like you had a wonderful and very productive day. Good for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

POSITIVELY_EB 1/4/2010 10:05PM

LOL! OK! I'm tired just reading it!!! Hugs! Beverly Report Inappropriate Comment

MBSKIT 1/4/2010 9:09PM

You got a lot done!! Report Inappropriate Comment