I've been enjoying The Message translation of the Bible more and more lately. Today I decided to read Romans 8 which has been my favorite chapter since I was a teen. Back then, I was obsessed with Bible study. We would literally pore over every word, have discussions, challenge each other's thinking...I miss those days.
Here's the passage that really struck me today:
5-8Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.
9-11But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!
12-14So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
I adore the ending image; have a funeral for the old you then move on. No, old me, you're not getting any red cents, not even one! Hear, hear!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
be happy
Today, I am reminded of the Sheryl Crow song 'A change...would do you good.'
Embracing change is not something I excel at. Unpredictability scares me. But in this season of my life, I am learning through my relationship with God and others, that change is necessary and healthy.
I have a book called 'be happy' by Monica Sheehan - 'A little book to help you live a happy life.' Each directive is accompanied by a cute sketch.
Here is what is contained within:
Show up.
Follow your heart.
Stay inspired.
Stop being a victim.
Do things you're good at.
Love your work.
Get a new perspective.
Have a sense of wonder.
Don't isolate.
Find people you love.
Set goals.
Finish what you started.
Help others.
Do a one day news fast.
Dance.
Pamper yourself.
Face your fears.
Go to a museum.
Any decision is better than no decision.
Exercise.
Limit television.
Listen to music.
Get in touch with nature.
Lighten up.
Have a moral compass.
Get a good night's sleep.
Read books.
Buy yourself flowers.
Reach out.
Set up a realistic schedule.
Don't compare yourself with others.
Live in the moment.
Don't beat yourself up.
Accept that life has its ups and downs.
Every night reflect on the 'good' things about your day.
Be open to new ideas.
Believe in yourself.
Be kind.
Let people know how special they are.
Be honest with yourself.
Don't focus on negative thoughts.
Focus on creating what you desire.
Make time just to have fun.
Say thank you to the people who teach you, support you, encourage you, and get you a cup of coffee.
Don't forget...money doesn't buy happiness.
Give away what you don't need, to someone who does.
Value who you are right now.
Be part of a community.
Find a common ground.
Keep the romance in your life.
Make a gratitude list.
Love your Mother Earth.
Do your best.
Don't lose hope. (You never know what tomorrow will bring.)
Keep learning.
Want what you have.
Believe in something bigger than yourself.
Stay close to friends and family.
Be true to yourself.
Then the book concludes with a page that says 'gratitude list' and has lines for you to write on.
Even though they are simple, these are hard orders to follow, but important ones for our spiritual and mental wellbeing.
Considering which to focus on for today, I chose 'Do your best'.
And I intend to.
How about you?
Embracing change is not something I excel at. Unpredictability scares me. But in this season of my life, I am learning through my relationship with God and others, that change is necessary and healthy.
I have a book called 'be happy' by Monica Sheehan - 'A little book to help you live a happy life.' Each directive is accompanied by a cute sketch.
Here is what is contained within:
Show up.
Follow your heart.
Stay inspired.
Stop being a victim.
Do things you're good at.
Love your work.
Get a new perspective.
Have a sense of wonder.
Don't isolate.
Find people you love.
Set goals.
Finish what you started.
Help others.
Do a one day news fast.
Dance.
Pamper yourself.
Face your fears.
Go to a museum.
Any decision is better than no decision.
Exercise.
Limit television.
Listen to music.
Get in touch with nature.
Lighten up.
Have a moral compass.
Get a good night's sleep.
Read books.
Buy yourself flowers.
Reach out.
Set up a realistic schedule.
Don't compare yourself with others.
Live in the moment.
Don't beat yourself up.
Accept that life has its ups and downs.
Every night reflect on the 'good' things about your day.
Be open to new ideas.
Believe in yourself.
Be kind.
Let people know how special they are.
Be honest with yourself.
Don't focus on negative thoughts.
Focus on creating what you desire.
Make time just to have fun.
Say thank you to the people who teach you, support you, encourage you, and get you a cup of coffee.
Don't forget...money doesn't buy happiness.
Give away what you don't need, to someone who does.
Value who you are right now.
Be part of a community.
Find a common ground.
Keep the romance in your life.
Make a gratitude list.
Love your Mother Earth.
Do your best.
Don't lose hope. (You never know what tomorrow will bring.)
Keep learning.
Want what you have.
Believe in something bigger than yourself.
Stay close to friends and family.
Be true to yourself.
Then the book concludes with a page that says 'gratitude list' and has lines for you to write on.
Even though they are simple, these are hard orders to follow, but important ones for our spiritual and mental wellbeing.
Considering which to focus on for today, I chose 'Do your best'.
And I intend to.
How about you?
Monday, May 31, 2010
Suck on this
Last night, I indulged in the wonder that is SATC 2. Slammed by the critics; one even labelled their review 'Sucks in the city'. I truly must beg to differ. The movie was opulent, fantastical, heartwarming, funny, pun-filled, silly and overall very enjoyable despite its predictability (you're hard pressed to find an unpredictable one in any summer releases). We all liked it, not as much as the first movie, but a good hearty thumbs up.
It made me think about the characters and their 'roles' as women. They are all so different, yet I'm sure we can all identify with one or more of the girls at different points throughout our lives. I see myself as Charlotte. Very idealistic, keen, by the book, black and white, not impulsive, worried about the impression she makes on others. She wants to be the best wife and mother and failures shatter her. She married someone she never thought she would (in her second marriage to Harry). She and I are also hopeless romantics.
I can also see some Miranda in myself. Driven, bossy, to the point, tell it like it is, concerned with impropriety and doing the right thing.
Now Samantha...I admire her. She has gumption! She's the most successful, fantabulous tart I've ever seen! I could never be that brazen, but she does it looking fabulous and all you can do is outwardly express disdain and shock, while inwardly envying her.
And last, Carrie. I too am often plagued by indecision. Kooky fashion sense - yep, that's definitely me. I also believe that two people can be lifelong loves despite other circumstances that may come into play. And as an aside, I would jump at the chance to be a columnist, writer or blogger (smile).
Together, these women form an uberwoman. Beautiful inside, beautiful outside, strong, weak, a wife, a mother and a whore (let's call a spade a spade). How more can you describe a woman?
Although much lighter than the first movie, it embodied some real and tough issues: gay marriage (and the ensuing question - how are Liza Minelli's legs THAT skinny), boredom/routine in marriage, tvs in your bedroom in marriage, fear of failure as a mother, fear your husband will cheat with someone possessing perkier boobs... Who among us has not had cause to think on these things?
It leads me to ask: what were the critics expecting? The first one dealt with meatier issues; did they really expect the second to do the same? It's a sequel for God's sake. Don't all sequels make you ask - why did they even bother? And if men will go see sequel after sequel of action/comic book movies that are brain numbingly lame, why aren't we afforded that same luxury without scathing critique?
Admittedly, there was more estrogen in that movie theatre than seemed comfortable, but there's something empowering about being in a theatre with hundreds of other women, laughing, gasping, crying and empathizing together. There is power in being women. As sung in one scene:
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
These words build us up and make us feel like we can triumph. Not many movies have this positive of a theme while showcasing women in their good, bad and ugly stages. So as Samantha said about the four of them: 'loves come and go, but we are soulmates'. Let's raise a cosmo to our girls.
It made me think about the characters and their 'roles' as women. They are all so different, yet I'm sure we can all identify with one or more of the girls at different points throughout our lives. I see myself as Charlotte. Very idealistic, keen, by the book, black and white, not impulsive, worried about the impression she makes on others. She wants to be the best wife and mother and failures shatter her. She married someone she never thought she would (in her second marriage to Harry). She and I are also hopeless romantics.
I can also see some Miranda in myself. Driven, bossy, to the point, tell it like it is, concerned with impropriety and doing the right thing.
Now Samantha...I admire her. She has gumption! She's the most successful, fantabulous tart I've ever seen! I could never be that brazen, but she does it looking fabulous and all you can do is outwardly express disdain and shock, while inwardly envying her.
And last, Carrie. I too am often plagued by indecision. Kooky fashion sense - yep, that's definitely me. I also believe that two people can be lifelong loves despite other circumstances that may come into play. And as an aside, I would jump at the chance to be a columnist, writer or blogger (smile).
Together, these women form an uberwoman. Beautiful inside, beautiful outside, strong, weak, a wife, a mother and a whore (let's call a spade a spade). How more can you describe a woman?
Although much lighter than the first movie, it embodied some real and tough issues: gay marriage (and the ensuing question - how are Liza Minelli's legs THAT skinny), boredom/routine in marriage, tvs in your bedroom in marriage, fear of failure as a mother, fear your husband will cheat with someone possessing perkier boobs... Who among us has not had cause to think on these things?
It leads me to ask: what were the critics expecting? The first one dealt with meatier issues; did they really expect the second to do the same? It's a sequel for God's sake. Don't all sequels make you ask - why did they even bother? And if men will go see sequel after sequel of action/comic book movies that are brain numbingly lame, why aren't we afforded that same luxury without scathing critique?
Admittedly, there was more estrogen in that movie theatre than seemed comfortable, but there's something empowering about being in a theatre with hundreds of other women, laughing, gasping, crying and empathizing together. There is power in being women. As sung in one scene:
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
These words build us up and make us feel like we can triumph. Not many movies have this positive of a theme while showcasing women in their good, bad and ugly stages. So as Samantha said about the four of them: 'loves come and go, but we are soulmates'. Let's raise a cosmo to our girls.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Childless in 2010
As I begin my blogging journey, I've chosen my theme - (da, da, dun, da!) Childless in 2010.
Now, I had dreams for my life. Boy did I ever. Married by 25. Have two children before 30. Be a hot mom in her 40s with teenagers.
So, thus far I was married at 29 and I'm now 33 with no children on the horizon.
The flaws in my first dream are now apparent, and boy am I ever glad I didn't get married at 25. Now when someone gets married at that age I think - wow, they're so YOUNG to be getting married. And same goes for when they have children.
So to allay all concerns/questions/niggling thoughts - yes, Andrew and I do want to have children. We are just waiting for a few reasons. One, we love our life. We eat out, we have date nights, we go on tour, we run ourselves ragged...at least the first part of this sentence must seem appealing to some. But all of this would need to cease should a baby come along. We basically love having the freedom to do what we want, when we want.
There's also the factor of being a starving artist - it doesn't pay the bills. Thus, I have the 'pay for our apartment and extravagant lifestyle' job while Andrew does more gigging than me and is studying to become an accredited graphic designer. He is hoping to finish school this year, then search for a f/t job in this field.
Now, there is no way we're having a baby this year folks, so stop praying, hoping and wishing that I will forget to take my birth control. Ain't gonna happen. It's the one thing I do everyday at the same time, same place. Thus, this will be my year to blog about my times as a happy, childless married lady.
On Saturday I had a fantastic day of reuniting with old friends. I met 7 other ladies who I went to church with when we were youths. Out of the 8 of us, 5 are married, 1 is engaged, 1 is divorced and 1 single, never married. 5 have one child. 1 has 2 children. Only 2 of us are married and childless (and I've been married twice as long!) Thankfully for me, after a brief discussion about not wanting to watch Treehouse on the restaurant tvs (the restaurant was so obliging - since they couldn't change the channel they covered up the tvs for us!), there was little talk of children all afternoon, just a lot of reminiscing and talking about our current mates and stories. Then I moved on to attend my high school best friend's son's 1st birthday (whew). Our other high school friend was there and they both have 1 child. The room was full of children. As a person with no children, take note - 1st birthday parties are not really a scene I feel that welcome at. There's no little person to chase around the room, watch out for, yell at. You know, all the things parents treasure doing at gatherings.
After that day, I thought - would I want this life? And the answer right now is still no. Being a mom would mean I would have to be patient, kind, gentle...and other things that I'm no good at. I need some more time to grow those fruits people.
Now, I had dreams for my life. Boy did I ever. Married by 25. Have two children before 30. Be a hot mom in her 40s with teenagers.
So, thus far I was married at 29 and I'm now 33 with no children on the horizon.
The flaws in my first dream are now apparent, and boy am I ever glad I didn't get married at 25. Now when someone gets married at that age I think - wow, they're so YOUNG to be getting married. And same goes for when they have children.
So to allay all concerns/questions/niggling thoughts - yes, Andrew and I do want to have children. We are just waiting for a few reasons. One, we love our life. We eat out, we have date nights, we go on tour, we run ourselves ragged...at least the first part of this sentence must seem appealing to some. But all of this would need to cease should a baby come along. We basically love having the freedom to do what we want, when we want.
There's also the factor of being a starving artist - it doesn't pay the bills. Thus, I have the 'pay for our apartment and extravagant lifestyle' job while Andrew does more gigging than me and is studying to become an accredited graphic designer. He is hoping to finish school this year, then search for a f/t job in this field.
Now, there is no way we're having a baby this year folks, so stop praying, hoping and wishing that I will forget to take my birth control. Ain't gonna happen. It's the one thing I do everyday at the same time, same place. Thus, this will be my year to blog about my times as a happy, childless married lady.
On Saturday I had a fantastic day of reuniting with old friends. I met 7 other ladies who I went to church with when we were youths. Out of the 8 of us, 5 are married, 1 is engaged, 1 is divorced and 1 single, never married. 5 have one child. 1 has 2 children. Only 2 of us are married and childless (and I've been married twice as long!) Thankfully for me, after a brief discussion about not wanting to watch Treehouse on the restaurant tvs (the restaurant was so obliging - since they couldn't change the channel they covered up the tvs for us!), there was little talk of children all afternoon, just a lot of reminiscing and talking about our current mates and stories. Then I moved on to attend my high school best friend's son's 1st birthday (whew). Our other high school friend was there and they both have 1 child. The room was full of children. As a person with no children, take note - 1st birthday parties are not really a scene I feel that welcome at. There's no little person to chase around the room, watch out for, yell at. You know, all the things parents treasure doing at gatherings.
After that day, I thought - would I want this life? And the answer right now is still no. Being a mom would mean I would have to be patient, kind, gentle...and other things that I'm no good at. I need some more time to grow those fruits people.
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