I don't mean the "jump off a roof because I think I can fly" kind of stupid bravery, or the "charge into battle ahead of everyone" kind of brave stupidity. I'm talking about being stupidly brave in my love for others.
I read a blog by Chad Estes. His posts are always insightful, thought-provoking, and often brutally honest. The latest post I read is about his friend Tim Kurek and Tim's fight against his own prejudice. After Tim's beliefs about homosexuality were challenged, he felt God lead him to a radical, life-changing declaration. While I don't know if I agree with his methodology, I challenge you to read his story and not walk away incited to more fully love the people around you.
Lately I have found myself in some increasingly difficult, (situations? places? relationships? can I just say life?), where it would be ever so easy to let my sarcasm take over to deflect the icky parts. The people it would be easier to not deal with, the situations with no clear path, the decisions with no real "right" answer, the conversations with no happy ending.
Reading Tim's story has reminded me that God only calls me to say "yes" to Him. To care for the people I would rather not deal with, to follow the path that benefits the most people, to make the decisions that protect others, to carefully consider the conversations.
To open my heart and be stupidly brave in my love for others.
~ Liz
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Living Intentionally
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To live with intention. To be proactive rather than reactive.
I'm not a natural planner, more of a "wing and a prayer" type, so my last few months of attempting to plan, be proactive and get organized have been a series of hits and misses. Made some routine checklists, but have only been slightly effective at implementing them. (Mostly a miss.) Tracking what I eat and how much I exercise, every day! (Hit! Yay!) Writing a budget, coming close to sticking to it. (Mostly a hit!) Keeping my kitchen, bathroom and living room de-cluttered, well, the bathroom is clean. (Half and half.) Finishing my to-do list for promotion at work, every day! (Another hit, Whoop!)
Even though I've made some good progress, I find it so easy to get derailed and disheartened by the things I haven't yet succeeded at. Thankfully, I have some amazing people in my life to keep me moving and motivated! My best friend recently relayed a story to me from a blog she had read. The woman in the blog talked about how she didn't like who she was, (prior to a weight-loss), and that now she knows who she is and likes herself. Both my best friend and I are on a quest to be healthier people. Losing weight is a nice side-effect, but we both just want long, healthy and happy lives.
I like who I am, and even if I stayed at this weight, this level of organization, unable to quite stick to a budget or keep my house clean, I will still love myself. My goal to be more proactive, organized and healthy isn't going to be measured solely in quantifiable ways, but in the added enjoyment I find from having an extra hour from my planning to spend with my daughter, or an extra $20 for a trip to the zoo, the extra energy I have to play outside with my family from eating healthy and exercising.
~ Liz
To live with intention. To be proactive rather than reactive.
I'm not a natural planner, more of a "wing and a prayer" type, so my last few months of attempting to plan, be proactive and get organized have been a series of hits and misses. Made some routine checklists, but have only been slightly effective at implementing them. (Mostly a miss.) Tracking what I eat and how much I exercise, every day! (Hit! Yay!) Writing a budget, coming close to sticking to it. (Mostly a hit!) Keeping my kitchen, bathroom and living room de-cluttered, well, the bathroom is clean. (Half and half.) Finishing my to-do list for promotion at work, every day! (Another hit, Whoop!)
Even though I've made some good progress, I find it so easy to get derailed and disheartened by the things I haven't yet succeeded at. Thankfully, I have some amazing people in my life to keep me moving and motivated! My best friend recently relayed a story to me from a blog she had read. The woman in the blog talked about how she didn't like who she was, (prior to a weight-loss), and that now she knows who she is and likes herself. Both my best friend and I are on a quest to be healthier people. Losing weight is a nice side-effect, but we both just want long, healthy and happy lives.
I like who I am, and even if I stayed at this weight, this level of organization, unable to quite stick to a budget or keep my house clean, I will still love myself. My goal to be more proactive, organized and healthy isn't going to be measured solely in quantifiable ways, but in the added enjoyment I find from having an extra hour from my planning to spend with my daughter, or an extra $20 for a trip to the zoo, the extra energy I have to play outside with my family from eating healthy and exercising.
~ Liz
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