One Way Or Another

I was just reading a blog and this person articulated very well what I've been kind of figuring out on my own lately. She was saying that instead of becoming distracted ' if one shifted their focus on the outcome of their goals maybe one would be more productive.' To some people this may be a 'no brainer' but for people like me it's just not that easy.

We all have our 'to do lists' some are scribbled down on paper, some typed out, some people keep track on their phones, or in their head. Well although having lists has personally helped me be more organized it has also been somewhat overwhelming. I tend to make not just one list but several and put way too much on them. I have the classic 'Today ' to do list 'This week list, the 'fix it' list for things around the home which is a constant. Just when you think you finally finished that list there are four more things to add to it (actually I guess they're all that way). Then there's the grocery list, shopping list, school list. I think I sound way more organized than I really am. This is my attempt at becoming organized and now I'm learning to scale it back and do fewer lists with far less on them. More of just the essentials. Back to simplicity.

I've had some projects that I've been wanting to get done for a LONG time and instead of just taking it one thing at a time like I should I get overwhelmed and don't even know where to start....... so I don't do any of them. I'm going to pick one project for the month of October and get something big off my to do list. I'm thinking I'll start with painting the bathroom or organize my photos. Then I'll go down the list from there.

Bogged Down

I don't know about you but I'm not much for watching the news or reading the paper. I don't think there's anything wrong with staying up to date on current events and in fact I actually think we need to, to some degree. For me though, things seem to stay with me and it's hard for me not to be weighed down and sometimes even depressed by certain stories. I'll pray for the people involved and try not to dwell on the story but it's not always that easy. Sometimes I feel so weighed down and such heaviness that's it really stresses me out. I realize that this is a problem for me that I'm working through but is also the main reason I personally don't keep up on current events regularly. Usually how I will even hear of a story, I'm talking more about personal tragedies, abductions, murders etc.... is if someone tells me, when I check my email there will be news headings that pull me in, if I overhear the news while the hubs is watching it (though he usually watches political shows and stays away from the stories I'm talking about).

Last night I was praying to God about why it's so hard for me to not be so weighed and bogged down by all the stories that seem to flood through the media. This morning I felt like He was telling me that I have a compassionate heart, I'm sensitive and care deeply about people. That's not a bad thing really. He also reminded me that I should pray and then give each situation to God and trust that He will take care of 'them' because it's simply not my job. I think the enemy knows my buttons and besides distracting me, he also knows I tend to take on other peoples stories and he at times can really weigh me down. There are times that I have walked in this and it's such a wonderfully free place to live in, just hard to live there all the time.

I'm thinking of that saying 'you are what you eat' or how about 'garbage in garbage out'. In other words what we allow to filter through us will come out in some way. If I'm constantly being bombarded (some by choice some not) by sad and depressing news, then chances are I'm going to struggle with being sad and depressed.

There are things I do to prevent that very thing from happening which usually is a great help. Besides the obvious of praying and asking for God's help which I try to daily, I listen to worship and/or upbeat music, I do a gratitude journal or at least try to verbalize my gratitude in little throw ups (prayers to God while I'm working) to God while I'm cleaning house. These things really are instruments that seem to help and are how I try to live not because I have to but more because for me, it's just healthier to. Some days/seasons are easier than others for sure but the truth remains that I do have a lot to be thankful for no matter what I'm going through or what the season is!

This morning in my devotional time, I read a verse that struck me and touched me deeply. One that I've heard many, many times and there is even a beautiful song about it but especially after writing the above yesterday and actually stressing quite a bit about my point not really getting across this verse was quite timely for me.

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.