Quit Thinking and DO Something!

It seems I have spent most of my life trying to slow down.

By that I mean I've always spoken out of turn, made rash decisions, had major meltdowns that turned out to be based on emotion rather than fact.

It has kicked my backside time and again.

So much so that I've become a huge fan of taking a moment to stop, think, and pray before making a major (or even minor) decison.

That's cool and it's saved me from many angst-filled moments. I'm sure if I hadn't taken those breathers I'd have more regrets and been compelled to make amends alot.

But I've become aware of a problem that arises when we take too long to think about all the ins and outs of each situation:

Paralysis.

We tend to think that everything needs to be planned out to the ultimate degree before we make a single decision. By the time we write everything down, make multiple copies, bring it to our church care group, or talk to anyone we've ever met, the opportunity might well be gone. Or something else pushed its way into our thoughts and again, by the time we remember to think about it the chance has passed us by.

I think sometimes we demand a guarantee that everything we do will be successful and if we do everything right our lives will be perfect and problem free.

That takes away the risk, to be sure, but it also excludes the excitement and courage it takes to simply trust that God will take care of us.

I believe that we take ourselves too seriously sometimes; what makes me think that my worrying about an issue will make it go any easier?

Lately I've beome aware of how important it is to actually put action to our hopes and dreams. Like, if you dream of being a writer, write something. If you want to be a gardener, plant something. If you want to be an action hero, practice your alter ego and get exercise by wriggling into your tights in extremely small spaces.

How tragic it would be to look back on your life and think about all the hesitations and second-thoughts that caused paralysis and lack of contentment.

Quit thinking so hard and DO something!

Dreams Become Reality

I hope not.

If that's true then my reality will soon involve returning to my old college and trying to find the class I've somehow been skipping for 30 years. I'll have to be the star in a play I don't know the lines to. I will search in vain for a pair of culottes (don't ask) to wear to an important church meeting.
More currently, if my dreams become my reality I'll be able to fly without assistance, will be sleeping in the hallway in a fancy resort and will drive a semi truck from the back seat.

I worry sometimes when I recall my dreams when I awaken. What on earth must be going on in my mind before I go to bed? In my dreams I'm always late, unprepared, lost, or confused.

The truth is, our dreams very seldom predict anything about our reality. Since our brains don't stop functioning while we sleep, the events and meanings of the day often continue to course through our brain waves. What we see as frightening often means transition; reliving memories serves to enable us to move on. Suffocation or trying to squeeze through a tight space means the cat is sleeping on your face.

Sometimes it's a relief to wake up and realize it's all been a dream. Those are the dreams I find myself thinking of throughout the day until I admit I'm grateful that none of the terrible things that happened are true: my dear ones are still alive, I haven't lost the dog, and I don't have to move out of the house I've lived in for 20 years.

My favorite dreams involve feeling loved and blessed; I'm relating to people I love and respect. There's always yummy food and lots of it. I'm somehow given permission to enjoy my life and bask in the relationships with which I've been blessed.

Oh, yeah. And I'm wearing pants.