Re-reading the Classics

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
--Emily Dickinson

I've been reading Little Women by Louisa May Aclott and Emily Dickinson's poetry lately and am reminded of lessons I tend to forget. Some of that work seems irrelevant at first glance, but the more I think about it, the more I see those lessons still apply. For instance, I find it hard to keep perspective sometimes that I'm not here to please myself. The characters in Little Women struggled with that dilemma as well. Now, more than ever, we live in a culture that is all about self-gratification and instant satisfaction. Even our television viewing is saturated with reality shows about people who do NOT live in reality (thereby causing kids to think this is what life is supposed to be like, by the way). But these attributes are not new to the human race. Greed and selfishness have been around since the beginning of time. And yet, I am so quick to look at society and celebrities and scold for how selfish everyone is, but I have to take time to remember that I need to look at the plank in my own eye first. Instead of worrying what everyone else can do to help people, maybe I should worry about what I can do to help people. Taking care of the less fortunate is not a job for the government. It's a job for the church according to Jesus. And I am the church. We are the church. The church is not a building, it's individuals like myself. I am hoping to retrain my focus from clucking at how awful people around me are. Instead, I'm going to try asking myself, "What can I do to help someone else?" Sometimes, that answer is only prayer, but prayer is mighty powerful.

Morning Headache

Ever just wake up cranky? I had trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep last night. Therefore, I woke up with a headache. The headache is probably also related to sinus issues as our heater has been running nearly nonstop since this winter storm hit. I dragged out of bed 45 minutes after my alarm and let the dog out. I cringed realizing we had not bought enough breakfast groceries. I sat down with a cup of coffee and sighed. But for the first time in a long time, instead of moaning, "Ugh, this is gonna be a bad day," I just heaved a sigh and felt some peace settle over me. I had a rough night, but thank God, I woke up to face another day. I have a gaggle of wonderful family and friends I don't deserve. I have a job and benefits. I have a warm house in which to live and food to eat (there is stuff to eat, just not what I wanted for breakfast). I even have more than I need so I can have a laptop and TV and a fancy schmancy phone. I support two cats and a dog (all of which are rotten - and true, my roommate probably pays more for the cats than I do). I have been so blessed to live in a country where I can be free to express my beliefs and religion. Our country has its problems, but we are still free. And I am still proud and blessed to be an American.

I woke up cranky, and God just wouldn't let me stay that way. He reminded me that He has blessed me and to be thankful. And I am. I really am!

2011

I have read a lot of articles and advice that would indicate New Year's Resolutions are not a great idea. They set you up for failure and make you feel bad if you don't keep with them. It's said you should set goals instead of resolutions, and they seem more obtainable. I suppose that makes sense, but I don't think there's anything wrong with using a specific date to change habits in your life. Using a specific date seems to help prepare your mind for it. I made a couple of resolutions/goals/changes (whatever you feel better calling it) this year. One of my goals is to be more consistant with posts to my blogs. My aim is once a week. If you enjoy this blog and notice more than a week passing without a post, feel free to ask me about it. I'm sure there will be times going forward I won't be able to post once a week, but that will be the goal.

I hope everyone has had a safe and cheerful Christmas and New Year Holiday!