Knocked Down..

Because I have almost always used the written word to digest my thoughts, feelings, and emotions...by default, this blog has turned into my own sounding board.  Tonight and most nights, it is also my avenue for talking myself off the ledge (metaphorically), and as a result is often where I go to dive into my faith.

While I have strong faith and am proud of my Lutheran upbringings, I rarely talk to others about religion.  If someone who didn't know me in the real world were to read this, they would likely pin me for a resounding gong or clanging symbol. Rather, my faith is just my inner beacon and compass to follow.  I just felt the need to explain that connection and the continued subject matter of the bible and verses I explore in past and present posts.

So.  Here I am.  Again needing some faith and some uplifting.  LONG story short, there have been a couple occasions in the last few months, tonight being one of them, that mistakes (of mine) have been brought to my attention.  As an Achiever (See Post: Strengthfinder 2.0), I have always held myself to a ridiculously high standard, almost to a fault.  So although I truly do want constructive criticism, it is still a hard experience for me to swallow defeat in the wake of making mistakes.  I just want to do right by people, and I genuinely give 120% of myself to all tasks.

I need to remind myself in this particular situation that surfaced today, that I did the best I could with the resources I had.  I need to embrace this situation in order to build upon the experience and become even better.  I think about the quote I long ago came across, "When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when somethings suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful."

In search for more solace from being knocked down, I came across an entry in my favorite "Common Life: Daily Challenge" book titled: A Cure for Low Self-Esteem.  "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb...You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." -Psalm 139: 13, 16

Tony, always has great insight, but his words in this entry both made my eyes well up with tears and made me feel encompassed by Gods love.  Following is an excerpt from Tony:

"One of the most important truths I want to impress on you is this: You were created by God.  You've probably heard that before - maybe so often that it has lost its meaning.  So take a minute to let it sink in.  You were created by God!  Before you were ever born, He knew who you would be.  you are designed with a unique combination of abilities, interests, and passions that has never been before and will never be seen in anyone again.  he knows every detail of your life and carefully planned the way you were made. 

Not only that, you are created for eternal impact.  Your one-of-a-kind design was intended to last.  He guards over your purpose and destiny, He is aware of all your needs, an He watches you even while you sleep.  Jesus told a crowd that God takes care even of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.  If He does that for them, how much more dose He do for you?  You are intentional part of His plan.  You are family, and He is your Father; He designed you for incredible purposes."

I will continue to read this entry over and over.  If anyone wants to start an "Uncommon Life: Daily Challenge" book club...this girl is game.  Or just keep following along with me and my posts, maybe shoot me a couple prayers or good vibes, whatever you believe in.

Escape: Out of the Spotlight

Since I didn't blog this weekend, and I was in need of a little escape from the stresses and craziness of this world...here I am.  I cracked open my neglected "Uncommon Life: Daily Challenge" book to reflect on the entry from yesterday, June 11th.  It was titled, Out of the Spot Light.

Colossians 1: 10-11.  The way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit...You will grow as you learn to know God better and better...You will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.

First of all, I hope to remember this on Saturday during the Triathlon that Peter and I are participating in, in the Ball & Chain division to be precise.  Meaning, we complete all three legs of the race together; 2 mile canoe, 11 mile bike, and 3 mile run.  This will be my mantra - you will have all the endurance and patience you need.  Lets hope so.  I have not done much endurance/cardio training recently, and patience as we work together will also be required.

Tony (Dungy), goes on to reflect on this passage and the "look at me" attitude often seen in professional sports these days, as well as in past greats.  This "look at me" attitude can have many different outcomes, but most often it isn't very appealing; causing us to be depicted as self centered and prideful.

I can't really think of anywhere in the Bible that proclaims: "Speak highly of yourself, praise yourself."  Rather, whatever field, avenue, or passion we work in, our job is to do the best we can and let our attitude, work ethic, gifts, and skills speak volumes.  As Dungy says, "eventually others will notice, and that will mean much more to us and to them, than if we had to make them notice with our mouths...God honors humility, not pride."  Love that.

This also makes me think of something my dad has always said; "Bring something to the table."  For me, I feel like this is what drives me.  Doing the best I can, letting my attitude, my work ethic, and my gifts (what I bring to the table) speak volumes.  I don't feel like I was ever a vocal leader in any of the leadership roles that I had.  But rather I was a quiet leader, letting my attitude, work ethic, values, loyalty, dependability, and gifts speak to my team mates and peers.

As I grow professionally as a Personal Trainer, I need to remember to keep doing this - as it will pay off in the long run; with clients, peers, and with my own self worth.  It is what I know is right, and I know that (with everything) if I put the time and energy into being my best self...it will pay off.

Plus...I will be strengthened with all his glorious power so I will have all the endurance and patience I need.  So keep on - keepin' on.  Embrace the grind, and adopt humility.

Influence: June 2

Influence: June 2.

After I taught my Body Blast class Sunday morning, I stopped by a Caribou Coffee on my way home.  Not just for a treat after a crazy week, but to take a few minutes to dive back into my "Uncommon Life: Daily Challenge" book (by Tony Dungy).  This was a fantastic part of my day, and I enjoyed it greatly, but little did I know that 12 or so hours later, it would come full circle and be even more meaningful.

I departed Caribou (with an Americano in hand), and went to pick up Peter for church.  Sunday was the first day of outdoor worship at Easter Lutheran.  It. Was. Perfection.  Everyone brings their own lawn chair, coffee is welcome, and as always the worship is fantastic; to top it off, the sky was a beautiful blue, with a few wispy clouds, the grass and surrounding trees are a lush green from all the rain we have received.  The birds were chirping, the band was on display on the gazebo, and our favorite pastor was leading.  

What made this service even more moving, was getting to see - for the first time, in action - the place that Peter and I plan to get married.  It was so beautiful, and Completely, with a capital C, sealed the deal on wanting to have our ceremony at the outside location of Easter Lutheran.  

Aside from the fresh air and beautiful scenery, as usual, the sermon was thought provoking.  Pastor Kris spoke of a parable, about a congregation of ducks.  They waddle to church on Sunday morning, quack along with the songs and prayers, and then simply waddle back home.  The point being, we were made to fly.  Many of us waddle to church and just waddle back home, rather than be lifted and moved by the word, and motivated to change our lives and those lives around us by being loving, and grace giving followers.  

As we departed church, we ran a few errands, as we wanted to spend a gift card that was burning a hole in our pockets.  While browsing at Home Goods, a strange sound and commotion caught my attention.  I looked up and saw a few aisles over, a later-middle aged man trying to help up his friend.  It appeared that the other, older, gentleman who had fallen had some developmental challenges and had one amputated arm.  The man successfully got his friend up after a little struggle.  I cautiously resumed browsing, only to hear a big crash yet again.  I dropped my items and briskly approached the two, lending a much needed hand and shoulder to lean on.  The man expressed his frustration to me that this store did not have a wheel chair for his friend, and that he had a condition that had flared up, causing him to be unable to stand. 

I motioned for Pete (who was in a neighboring department) to come over, and we held up the man until an associate could find a chair for him to rest in.  Now, I truly don't tell this story in hopes to impress people or get brownie points.  I want to go back to my "Uncommon Life: Daily Devotional" experience that morning.

Each entry dives in to a particular bible verse.  June 2nd's verse was as follows: "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29.  A good verse, yes.  But what Tony Dungy wrote for further exploration of that verse, proved to be incredibly and almost eerily pertinent for that day. "...And somewhere out there someone needs a lift to get through the trouble.  The number of people who need a word of encouragement and a lift in their lives is growing.  It is our duty to be that voice and hand of encouragement to everyone we meet..."  

I actually didn't process that devotional passage until later that night, when I connected all the dots.  Ephesians & Tony's words, the sermon from church that morning, the incident in Home Goods.  I honestly thought, wow..."word of God speak", and LITERALLY.  Not even in an analogy.  "Someone needs a lift..".  Its amazing what we hear from Him when we listen, sometimes is obvious, sometimes its clear as mud.  But when you do hear him, it feels pretty incredible.

I encourage you to look around and reach out, it is true, the number of people needing encouragement is great.  And what is amazing, is that in lifting others up, I guarantee you will feel as though your own wings are spreading a little more.


Side Note: The rest of our Sunday was pretty fantastic.  Relaxing outside, Pete tending to the smoker, taking some batting practice, watching a movie on the couch, big victory at our softball game, and a victory in the FitBit game (10,000 steps per day).