A co-worker of mine commented yesterday that the two books I have chosen to use during this time are not religious and that perhaps I should be reading the Bible instead during Lent. Let me be frank, I have read the Bible and it is not what I am looking for. I don't mean that in any sacrilegious way: what I mean is that I want something I don't have to interpret as much. The Bible is a confusing animal, look at all of the various religious sects and interpretations of scripture that have spun from it. I am not looking to go there. I am looking for simple messages that I can use daily to live a happier and less stressful life. I believe that in doing that, I am showing appreciation to God for the things I do have.
Second, why the blog? Why not a personal journal? For me, the blog is about accountability. If I had a personal journal it would still be sitting on my nightstand blank. A blog is a way for me to make myself focus every day. By putting "Day__" in my subject, I am forcing myself to keep up. It would embarrass me to fall short on this.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program.
Today's practice is from DSTSS and letting go of the idea that gentle, relaxed people cannot be super-achievers. I just read this, so forgive me while I free-flow my thoughts.
For me, this one is a tough pill to swallow. My gut is telling me that you have to be a go-go-go person in order to get things done. So now, I am sitting her thinking of laid back people that I know and whether or not they are achievers. Two co-workers come to mind immediately. One is laid back, slow moving, and never gets in a hurry. We will call her Jody. The second is a hipster chick who really doesn't get her feathers ruffled-ever. If things mess up, they mess up. She goes home to her little happy family and that is what's important. We will call her Polly (as in Polly Sunshine).
I am the polar opposite of these two, I am high strung and go-go-go all the time. However, it really hasn't benefitted my life. Both Jody and Polly hold positions that are similar to mine: I am no better off than them as a result of my hurried and competitive nature. However, we have a major difference in attitude. The difference is that they seem to enjoy life while I walk through it anxious and stressed. My frantic thinking does take an enormous amount of energy.
So what will I take from today's lesson? To relax. To breathe. To not get so worked up. The world will not end if I chill out. I can still be successful- maybe more-so professionally -if I wouldn't worry about it so much. Perhaps my Master's degree is currently going to waste, but big deal. I work in a wonderful office with at least two people who I consider to be my best friends (one is Jody). I also have a mentor in my office who I think of as my substitute dad. And another friend who would bail me out if I got into financial trouble. These people are blessings. Relax, Heather. Relax.
-As I pray today, I want to thank you, God, for the people I have in my life. I want to thank you for this workplace you have brought me to. Please help me to not be so anxious about the lack of clout in my position. Please help me to relax and not be so uptight in it. Please allow my energy to be a positive contribution to these people who I love. Let me learn to relax more in all aspects of life and realize that achievement isn't measured by job titles and bank accounts. Amen.
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