everybody else is doing it

No doubt that as a child you probably looked at your parents and whined, "but everybody else is doing it!" Often, it seemed like a compelling reason (to you, not them). We haven't lost that whine. That same phrase still lies within us. Ever heard of "keeping up with the Jones'?" Yeah, that's the "everybody's doing it" mentality. The trick is to funnel that whine into something good.

Courtesy
www.TogetherWeFlourish.com

My pastor presented a powerful sermon this morning challenging us to live the life that will get us to heaven. One of the tasks laid out for us is to be His witness. As Christians, we're to go into the world and share the plan of salvation. That's tough sometimes, but one positive step to getting there is to display Christ-like characteristics - put others before yourself:

• hold the door
• let someone with less items go ahead of you in line
• say "please," "thank you" and utilize other manners yo' mama taught you
• buy the homeless person on the corner a cup of coffee as you're getting one for yourself
• share whatever you have - money, food, etc. - with someone who has an obvious need

Why are self-less tasks like I've mentioned above so hard for some people to fulfill? Because they're not the normal things to do (anymore). They're kind, humble and personal ways to show you care, which is not what our society is about anymore. No one cares about anything. Actually, I take that back. People care about saving animals, global warming and other causes that aren't important for The Kingdom.

How is it possible that we've lost the "human element" and elevated animals above each other? I'm all for adopting pets instead of accessing puppy mills, but I'd much rather my money and real efforts be used to help those who don't have hope somehow find hope. Make tomorrow count for more than yourself and the next stray animal.

I say, let's start a revolution beginning with the small stuff. Let's look to those who curl their nose and ask why we're being so nice and tell them, "everybody else is doing it." And we should add to that, "and because it's the right thing to do." Doing the right things in life are the first steps to receiving a heavenly reward. When you begin to take care of others, the walls will fall and you'll be able to move on to the deeper conversation of salvation.

What will you do for someone in need this week?

Gettin' Her Groove Back: 2/60
On my mind for tomorrow: showing compassion

a new project. y'all ready?

Last year I created an account at the site http://365project.org/, a site where users can share a photo each day for 365 days. It's a creative outlet for amateurs and professionals alike. Wellll ... I have 47 entries with my last being in November.

My 365 Project photo for August 21, 2010 of my precious
niece who is still waiting on her baby blanket.

I have good intentions when I begin projects, it's the follow-through that gets me. For instance, I began knitting my newest niece a baby blanket in either late 2009 or early 2010. She was born this past August and I have yet to finish her blanket. It's almost done! Only a few more rows! But ... I laid it down and have not yet picked it back up.

Does it come from being held to high standards at work where it's not acceptable to not complete a task? Is it just laziness? Why can't I ever finish anything I start unless I'm being paid to? I'm not going to let the questions and negativity keep me down. I'm starting a new project (smirk).

This just might drive you crazy, especially when only God knows what the content will be, but I'm setting off on a journey that begins today. A blog post a day for ... 60 days. (Let's start small. Achievable goals are always better, and not just in weight loss.)

My reason for blogging each day? I'm always near a computer and love to write anyway (heck, I get paid to write). Why didn't the photo-a-day project work out? I was always on the hunt for the perfect photo, unable to settle for a simple snapshot. That hunt equals time, plus then sitting down to weed through my captures and upload "the one". Writing is definitely more of my forte than photography, although it's a love I will always have and pursue, just not on a calendar.

To help you keep count on this project, or in case you drop off the grid for a few days or plain ol' start ignoring me, I'll add a line at the bottom of the post below my signature, just as you see on this one. It's a momentous occasion! Pray for me!

Gettin' Her Groove Back: 1/60

you know what to do. do it.

Have you ever taken a step back and looked at yourself?
I've heard it said that you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have. That's a relevant comment in all facets of life, not just the workplace. However, what do you do when 'looking the part' painfully smashes into reality?

Don't read more into this than what it is. My job is fine; I feel (fairly) secure. What I'm alluding to is the 'walking the walk' mentality. Many of us know the right words to say, but when the rubber meets the road, do we actually put those words in motion?

I can spout good stuff at you all day - scriptures, positivity, reasons to look on the bright side - but when I encounter challenging moments, that good stuff and positivity, often times, flies out the window.

Copyright John Bell

I'm known (in my immediate family) for having a little bit of road rage and I experience a twinge of it daily. I don't know if a majority of people traveling the same road I am are illiterate or if they just choose to break the rules. I feel confident it's the latter. What about "Do Not Block Intersection" don't they understand? Or how about the general rules of the road, like slower vehicles should travel in the right lane? Or, it's illegal to pass in the right lane? Or, it's illegal to change lanes while going through a stop light? (These apply to Virginia, anyway.)

I digress on the traffic frustration ...

Another aspect of my life that is better in words than in action is parenthood. I know I'll get nowhere yelling at my kids. I know it's better to count to at least five (preferrably 10) before responding to some comments or missteps. Do I always heed what I know to be true? Heck no. I know my kid will prosper in her school life if I am able to spend uninterrupted time with her, being available for her every answer and quip. Am I? Nope. I'm a working mom and none of the four of us pass through the door until 6 p.m. every night. Can I change anything about that? Maybe. Have I tried to adjust my schedule to change it? Ahem. No.

Courtesy Wallet Pop

Much of this boils down to a question I often ask of myself. Am I too career-minded to be a good mom? Actually, I don't beat myself up over it. Yes, I'm passionate about my job and want to excel at it. I want man's praise (yes, Lord, I know I should only seek your praise). I'm convinced that the first seven months of my son's life is really all the stay-at-home-mommying I was good for. I don't think I have the patience for any more than that and I know that it wouldn't be as gratifying for me as I see it being for some of my friends. So I trek on with my career and do the best I can to be mom, wife and housekeeper (yes, in that order).

Bottom line, we all know how we should act but a majority of us act contrary to that knowledge. It's not just me, right? Anybody? Anybody? Bueller?