Taking Stock

It may seem cliche to count our blessings or look at all of the accomplishments we have made in the past year, but we need to consider the milestones of achievements in order to chart a new course for the coming year.  If you are in a position where all you can do is to take one day at a time, that is all right, but for many of us, having a direction to go in is most helpful.

I saw a project on Facebook which could be very helpful in allowing us to see our accomplishments or major life events over the course of a year.  It was a jar in which we put little notes every time we had some significant event happen.  I’m not sure if one would only put the positive things or both positive and negative.  I think that would be up to you.

In any case, on New Year’s Eve, then, you can review the notes to see what you have accomplished in the past year.  You can also do this with a journal, but I’ll bet the jar is more fun.

So taking stock of your life, year by year, has benefits that help you see that you are going somewhere.  You then have the choice to see if you wish to remain in the same direction, or if there are changes that you need to make.  The important thing here is to note that you have a choice.  You have a choice in where your life is going.  Circumstances around you may or may not be optimal, but think about what your heart wants. 

Practicality aside, when you are old and gray you do not want to think about having been in a boardroom all your life, do you?  Of course, we all measure happiness and success differently, but much of our satisfaction in life depends on how many lives we touched, how we helped others, brought joy into their lives, made life better for them.  We may or may not be successful with that, but so long as we try and don’t give up, we are doing our part.

Most importantly, you are the one who judges your own life path, whether you are going to where you want to be, doing what you want to do.  If you are doing your best to be the best you, you can be, then you are going in the right direction, and you can keep on keeping on.

May you be richly blessed!

Holidays

There is always a flurry of activity around the holidays to display one’s religious affiliation, it seems.  Everyone wants to have statements of their faith in the town square.  And why not?  That is, so long as everyone has the opportunity to display their decor, so that the governmental body involved is not charged with having preference for one over another.  Truth be told, perhaps not everyone wants to have their faith spread out for the town to see.

In any case, it seems to become a bone of contention, and people are asked to stand up for their faith, to prove themselves as not being ashamed of what they believe in.  It’s something that is even popular on Facebook, to declare your trust in the Savior.  But, my friends, the Holy Bible says that God will try the hearts and reins, not Facebook and our peers. God, being omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, knows whatever goes on in our hearts and minds, that we have no need of these outward declarations.  These things become a matter of our peers judging our faith, and that is something that we have been warned against doing.

So when someone tells you to say, “Merry Christmas” as opposed to “Happy Holidays,” what do you say?  I like to honor all the beliefs of all people.  While not everyone celebrates a holiday this time of year, many do, and it is not only polite to acknowledge them, it is appropriate to recognize that we have freedom of religion in this country, and because we do, we should act like it in an honorable way. 

For those who prefer to declare their own beliefs, and say, “Merry Christmas,” because in their hearts, Christ is superior to everything else, I say, very well.  But I also request that in so doing, that you don’t condemn others in their beliefs.

May you be richly blessed.

Coming Out of the Tangles

When life sends us confusion and loss, we may go through a period of isolation, feeling as if we are alone, even when we’re in a crowd of people.  That loneliness may be due to the loss of a loved one, a job that was central to our identity, or any change in routine that leaves us feeling, for whatever reason, like a fish out of water.  Coping with that depth of loneliness and, disintegration of identity that comes with it, can be a tremendous challenge.

The first step in coping requires that we give ourselves the opportunity to feel the emotions.  Really sit with the painful consciousness that you have lost something of importance.  Don’t worry about putting on a happy face for the people around you.  Indulge the pain.  Cry, scream, shout, punch a pillow (not something hard) and let the anger with the world for taking something away from you pour out of you.  This is something that may one time to purge, or it may take days, weeks or months.  It will take less time once you acknowledge the feelings, truly feel them, and then, let it all out.

The second step is in knowing that life continues, that there are things you are meant to do, which is what you did before, just a little differently.  You may continue to purge some of the negative emotions during this time, but you are probably ready to adapt to your new circumstances.   I have always been a big fan of keeping a journal, a daily record of thoughts and feelings, plans and goals and the progress toward reaching them.  This way, as you progress toward healing, you have a record of where you’ve been, what you did to heal, and a road map to where you want to go. 

Finally, you will want to fill the time that exists due to your loss.  If it was a job, then, certainly, you will want to get a new job.  If it was a loved one, he or she cannot be replaced, but you can make plans to socialize with friends, perhaps others in the same circumstances.  Taking the opportunity to widen your circle of friends and the interests that you have will help you heal and bless your life in ways that are worthwhile and wonderful.

May you be richly blessed.