Sunday, July 07, 2019

The Illusion of Control

Control. It's something that keeps pulling us in a different direction.

I struggle with letting go. I try to control people and situations, but it ALWAYS ends in bitter frustration.

Do you want to know why? Because I can't control another person. I can't control circumstances, no matter how hard I try. I could say all the right things and do something with a pure motive and things still end in disaster.

Some days I am fine letting go. My head doesn't spin. My heart doesn't race. I am just content to let things be. Content to not mess with the messiness of life.

Other times I feel like I have my hand firmly on the reigns, only to realize I was grasping at air. It was all an illusion.

Recently, I finished a book by Rebekkah Lyons called Freefall to Fly. I think that's why I try to control things. I am afraid of the freefall that will inevitably happen if I just let go.

I am afraid to let the chips fall where they may. But, tonight, I've realized on a deeper level that growth never happens standing still. It happens in the tulmultous swinging of chaos. It happens deep beneath the surface where nothing can hinder the process. A seed's growth happens underground. You only know something has happened when stalks and leaves and buds appear.

Growth happens in uncharted waters. It happens when all plans are thrown out the window.

When I had multiple surgeries and years of prolonged sickness, I could not control what was happening to me. I shifted my focus to controling my enviroment. Picking the paint colors for my walls. Little things, but they meant so much to me.

Tonight, I am focusing on letting go. I have realized it's not a decision I have to make once a week. I have to make the choice to let go every day. When I feel myself getting anxious, it's more than likely because I'm trying to control something. I am now going to take a deep breath and remind myself to let go. I was not created to carry burdens. I am supposed to release them. Then and only then, can I be a better daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.

Do you have some things you need to let go of?

My Signature

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Daily Challenge: One Thing I Love About Myself

Today is day 7 of the Love Myself challenge...the last day! One thing I love about myself is my ability to remember things. One of my friends in high school said I was a "walking dictionary."

I can remember dates and little things that most people forget. My mom says I have a photographic memory. Whatever you call it. my memory has served me well throughout my life, especially while I was in school.

My Signature

Monday, July 01, 2019

Daily Challenge: One Thing I Love About Myself

Day 6 of the Love Myself challenge. One thing I love about myself is I love people well. I try my best to encourage people and let them know I am there for them. 

What does it mean to love people well?

It means you love people differently, because no two people are the same. When I embrace a person's differences, it gives them the chance to truly be themselves. They might even embrace their quirkiness and start to love who they are. 

When I love them well, it's a two way street. They will start to draw things out of me that I didn't know I had. I will start to see myself and my gifts in a different light.

Loving people well means to be a pillar of support. A shoulder to lean on. Loving people well means creating an environment where people can be vulnerable. Vulnerable means leaving your facade at the door. It means being given the chance to be raw and real.

Loving people well means being there when life throws you into the deepest waters. Loving people well means you shine a light on hidden truths within the person. Things that they thought were buried, never to come to fruition.

Loving people well means asking hard questions...of yourself and others.
Loving people well means staying when it's messy and there are no simple answers.

Do you have someone in your life who loves you well? How do they do that?


My Signature

The Longest Goodbye

This is what I said it felt like when describing what we have gone through with my grandmother. For four years, we've watched her slip a...