Countdown Has Begun

So here's the challenging part of being challenged:

It's one thing to hatch a plan, have a great idea.

It's another thing to share your ideas and get feedback for them.

It's a whole different matter to work the details out so it goes off without a hitch.

Cuz there are hitches built into everything we try to accomplish; if it were easy we'd have done it a long time ago.

When I think of trying to do things all by myself in my own strength I get tired.
I can't think of every possible factor to host a successful event. And by the time I did take care of details I'd be so 'over it' I wouldn't care anymore.

But I have friends who know a lot about a lot of things. I'm relying on them to step in and use their talents in allowing me to concentrate on the show I'm planning to host tomorrow night.

This ought to be fun. And weird. And different. And memorable.

I just sat at McDonald's for 4 hours while I wrote my comments on 3x5 cards. It took 44 cards and I had to stop cuz I ran out of ink.

So I'm all set (unless I drop the cards during the event).

Or I get writer's cramp.

See you tomorrow!

Second Thoughts

Now that I've announced my plans to host a 'fun night' I'm having second thoughts.

Not second thoughts about our need for fun and laughter.

Not second thoughts about my desire to host it, to share funny stories about my experiences.

But rather, second thoughts about my ability to do it.

I know all about how God gives each of us talents and the strength to use them.
But I'd be lying to you if I didn't admit to having reservations about THIS experience THIS time.

I'm blown away by the details and hoops one has to jump through to plan even a casual event like this. It's a major challenge and a reminder that doing things properly is one form of obedience to God.

So.

Since I'm focused on preparation and hoping for a successful evening, I'll be sharing with you how it's going.

Second thoughts, cold feet, snags, the whole thing.

Stay tuned.

Contentment

Aren't people funny? We always seem to want what we don't have. When I was a kid I wanted to have dark hair and eyes and my friends wanted to be blue-eyed blondes. No matter what I had, what the other guy had looked better.

Even today I find that my clients fall into two categories:

Those who are trying to get into a relationship and those who are trying to get out.

We seem to think we're supposed to strive for more, better, best. Whatever we have and are isn't good enough to be satisfied.

A friend of mine is house hunting; recently we had a good laugh because most of the houses she liked were listed as 'starter homes.' We agreed that society assumes we're supposed to keep pushing and wanting something different. To be content is to be complacent.

Since I've been thinking about New Years resolutions lately I've noticed how inconsistent our goals are. There are people who want to do less or do more, purge or attain. Some folks want to change jobs or do a better job where they are. Most frequent responses were those wanting to be healthier (we used to call it 'lose weight.')

The fact is, we must learn to be content. Satisfied. At ease with who we've been created to be.

We need the ability to sit back and process what makes us who we are.

It's okay to do that, you know.

I was taught that it was bragging to think about myself positively. I learned the humility lesson early on. Evidently I was supposed to like myself fine but want to work hard to change myself completely!

Now I find an interest in developing myself and the talents I already have. I've shared some of those talents in previous blogs (and thanks to all of you readers who want to see me hula).

In my quest to refine my abilities I must accept that I have abilities in the first place.

This thought may resonate with you. (Not necessarily the hula part!) Spend some time listing your assets. Then think about which of those assets deserve more investment. What talent(s)

do you want to develop more fully?

Be content with what you have and enjoy the process in the meantime.

p.s. Props to my very talented friend C.H. who gave me an awesome sample of barbecued ribs. He is thinking about opening some sort of restaurant or catering business with his special recipe.

Seriously, I loved them and would go out of my way to get more. I'll keep you updated.

New Years Resolution Continued

This isn't a threat or a dare but I wonder how many new resolutions I could come up with throughout the year.

Resolutions are like goals but seem be more important than that. I know I know, most of us don't even make resolutions anymore. We get tired of failure.

Perhaps we define goals as 'wishes,' while resolutions seem more concrete. Wishes are dream-like, I think. Rarely do we believe our wishes will come true.

I used to wish that I could be happy and be appreciated for my natural abilities.

I desired to be seen as an asset in most situations. I wanted to be admired as a leader, whether it be teaching VBS, singing in a trio or duet in choir, or chosen to be in the school play.

So here's the weird part:

Each time I'd get asked to do those things you know what I'd do?

Turn it down.

I'd say, "Oh, no, I can't do that. I'm not smart enough, talented enough, organized enough..."

Then when someone else would be chosen or volunteer for the job I would kick myself.

"What is WRONG with you? You dummy! You know you wanted to do it, you have the time and the ability. WHY did you refuse?"

Of late I've been able to accept assignments more graciously. There's still a struggle as my natural reflex is to be irritatingly humble.

So here's my next resolution:

I will not downplay my abilities

I will be the first to admit that there are many things I can't do: I can't play a musical instrument, I can't ride a skateboard, I can't even touch my toes all that well! Numbers fog my brain and memorization leaves me in a cold sweat.

Each of us has a list of abilities we acknowledge we just don't have.

Yet...not one of us is entirely hopeless. In fact, as a demonstration of this resolution I will name a few of my own talents.

As I do I want you to think of your own.

I can:

sew

knit

groom dogs (yup)

hula

decorate

spell

make caramels

wiggle my ears

encourage others

scrapbook

tap dance

drive a stick shift

ad lib

paint

drywall

write

teach

cross stitch

can tomatoes

How did you do? I bet we possess way more abilities than we can even list if we gave ourselves a little time to think.

So here's the challenge:

Determine that you will NOT automatically refuse any task, invitation, or leadership role for fear you will look arrogant if you accept it. Practice a safe response such as, "Let me think about it and I'll let you know." And then really think about it...and really let them know.

Refuse to buckle under old habits of false humility; stand there calmly and listen. Unless someone is inviting you to do something unethical or immoral you have every right to believe you can accomplish it.

As you gain the assurance that you are fulfilling your abilities it will get easier. Really. Who knows what else you will discover you can do?

Remember that you don't have to accept everything that get's offered to you. Busyness will distract you and only lead to new resolutions for 2012.

Will you join me in this resolution? We may be surprised by the opportunities that open up once we determine to not downplay our abilities.