Overwhelmed? Then You Are Needed.

I'd been given a project at work and if you know me once I've started working on something I like to dig in 100% like a pit bull. Well instead of being allowed to just focus on the project, I get called into meeting after meeting after meeting. I was even put on on a team to head up another minor project. Well, while in one of those other side bar meetings, everyone seemed to have something to say about what needed to be done to move my main project along. Yet not one had the time to dedicate toward helping me successfully complete it. I sat in the meeting with my thoughts drifting from person to person remembering how I've stopped in the middle of a projects to assist others in achieving their goals or complete their projects with them. I'm usually a team player, but my thoughts were getting the best of me. As I thought about all the help given to others, I shook myself realizing I was getting self absorbed, caught up in pride and truly stirring my self righteousness up. Who am I that I should think more highly of myself than I ought to? Why should I get a pat on the back each time I did my job; no one else does. I was placed in this job to help others solve their problems and not the other way round. I am excellent at multi-tasking and project managment and thrive under pressure. Instead of complaining and grumbling I should be thankful that my skills are being noticed and optimized in areas needed. Think about it if they were not I wouldn't have a job. There is a need and I am there to meet that need. It feels so good to be needed even though at times it can feel a bit overwhelming. So when you feel overwhelmed and stressed, change your perspective toward others who ask for help. Look at it this way, you are wanted, needed and sought after by your colleagues and boss and your skill set is valued. Your opinion is valued. No one else can do your job better than you can. You were placed where you are to do what you do the way you do it. Fulfill that purpose because it's an honor.

Expand Your Circle

For those of you who are looking for new friends or new experiences, expand your circle. You know what circle I'm talking about. We all live in our own world with our close net family and friends. We often get so comfortable with our net we rarely cast it out to catch any new friends and God forbid we don't accept strangers into our family very well. It's safe and nonthreatening that way. I once read a book from Dr. Neil Warren - eharmony guy. In this book he challenges the reader that if you want to find a mate, you have to expand your circle of friends. Position yourself to find new friends. Volunteer with new people. Go to different places and do things different. Well, this year I made a pack with myself that I had to get out of the rut I was in. To expand my circle and step out of my comfort zone and make new friends and forge new relationships I had to act or propel myself forward. If you don't know, I am an introvert who plays and extrovert for the sake of being able to function in a world made for extroverts. I am very comfortable going days without leaving the house or talking to anyone but my husband. I once thought that I had some type of phobia but now I realize that I am just content. To make a long story short, today I really stepped out of my space and stretched my circle. I met someone today that made me want to become friends and to reach outside myself to bond. Before leaving to meet this person I really prayed that God would give me the patience to listen and the gentleness to be able to walk away if it didn't work. I really didn't want another freindship that would drain my joy or become so cumbersome that I withdrew even more. Boy, God made this connection and it was so clear in the first two minutes. Yes, my circle did grow today and so did I. Everyday I expect God to show me, me. I expect him to grow me out of me and help me to grow into him. It's hard to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and that's where I am with God. The more he shows me me, the more uncomfortable I am. What if God was an introvert and never forged relationships outside his close netted family and friends? Where would I be today. I thank you father for showing initiative. Thanks for modeling the way.

Love Dare

This week I began to take the "Love Dare" challenge after seeing the movie "Fireproof". I purchased the book and put it on my stack of books to read. Well this week I started it and it has proven to be a challenge for me in all aspects of my life. The dare is to help the reader strengthened their relationship with their spouse by using Biblical principles. Instead of helping with my relationship with my spouse it has proven to be something that I have used to help me improve my relationship with my coworkers and friends. The dare is basically broken down into days and the book is comprised of a 40 day challenge. I started this book on Monday. Today is Friday and I am still on day one. Yes, DAY ONE! Only today did I put a check by day one to say that I had completed the easiest dare in the book! 39 more dares to go. It's different when you are coaching others through their weaknesses and difficult seasons. So, so different and difficult when you face yourself and find you can be pretty ugly. Not only did I see myself in the mirror but I also got a good glimpse of how others see me. Talk about wanting to have some invisible moments. This week I had a few. Talk about growth moments.

United are We?

When I was a child we only had about five channels on our television and when the president came on all of the stations covered his speech. I really hated to watch those speeches and would find myself doing other things instead of watching him. Besides what he had to say usually only spoke to a certain class of people and guess what; it was not my class. Tonight was so different. I found myself actually looking for what channel would cover the president best no interruptions or commentaries that would distract. It didn't seem to matter that he was on several channels but the fact of which one did I want to watch. The anticipation and excitement was beyond anything I have ever held for any of our presidents. I don't know what the future holds for us but it builds hope in my 12 year old who is sitting here watching a man of color deliver a message of hope not such for my generation but for his. Prior to watching Obama tonight my son had to deliver his own speech to a group of Boy Scouts. He stated that he never would be comfortable giving a speech to anyone, it's nerve racking. Well I sat and watched him watch President Obama and his eyes were glued to the set. I even caught him mimicking some of his gestures and saying "Amen to that". I then asked him how did he (Obama) feel about having to get up and speak in front of a group of divided people - some supporting him and some who didn't. He said to me as the cameras revealed faces that he could tell easily the ones who were with him and the ones who even after tonight were not. He then made a comment that really made me wonder if we will ever grow up as a country. He asked if we are called the United States why aren't we? Wow, how can a 12 year old bring you to your knees. I was put in a box. Although it's good to see a man of color hold the office of President, it must also be a place of difficult. It's one thing to lead people who want to be led but it's totally different to attempt to guide a group of people who only want what they want the way they want it when they want it. So much for being united. God help us all.