life beyond the well…

Tag Archives: Balance


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Press Reset

I’ve been hoping and praying all year that it wouldn’t come to this.

I started this year out with the best of intentions, and was fairly faithful in my progress- at least initially.

But then, I just got swamped. Late nights and early mornings, trying to balance family life, work life, regular life, and my school life. Finally, the moment came where I’d have to do what I’d been hoping all along would NOT have to happen: I had to press “Catch me up” on my bible reading plan app.

I know for some of you, this may not be that serious.  But for me, it was an immediate and striking reminder of how I had become too busy; of how the “urgent” began to crowd out the “important”.  And the thing is- I recognized it when I was just a few days behind in my reading plan, but instead of taking immediate action to fix it (i.e.: devote some extra time to reading and studying the word), I just kinda casually dealt with it- reading a little extra here, a little extra there; but not enough to be significant or to make any real progress or to see any real results.

The truth is that I viewed pressing that “Catch me up” button as a failure, instead of as an opportunity to learn, grow, and recalibrate myself to prioritize the items that I feel are most important.  By being bound to this mindset, I got further behind instead of making even the slightest hint of progress.

Life is kind of like that.  We hate to press the reset button.  We never want to have to catch up, because having to catch up means having to admit that we were behind instead of “on par” or “ahead”.  But what I learned is that it’s okay to press the reset button.  It’s okay to have to catch up and reorganize your priorities.  It’s better to take the steps necessary to move forward and progress than to stay stuck because you have too much pride to admit that you were behind in the first place.

In what areas of your life do you need to press the reset button?  Let me encourage you to JUST DO IT!  You’ll feel better afterwards- I promise!

Be encouraged!  Peace and blessings!

 


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February Blues

When I was teaching, we used to suffer from this condition that we called the “February Blues”.  It used to hit us toward the end of February, after the newness of the year and semester had worn off, and we realized that there would be many weeks of nonstop school before any sign of a break.  The grind of teaching, grading, correcting, and being physically and mentally present day in and day out starts to wear on you.  You’ve either seen progress in meeting your goals, or you haven’t; and it’s becoming more difficult to stay motivated.  The cold weather becomes annoying and gloomy, and you long for the bright and warm days of spring.

Though I’m no longer teaching, I’ve found myself with my own “February Blues”.  Though I’ve been fairly consistent with my workout routine, and I’m seeing results; I haven’t been as successful with my productivity towards my dissertation.  I’ve been better about getting to work on time, but I’m struggling with being as organized as I feel that I should be.  While I’ve had several thoughts swirling in my head (and drafts written), I’ve found it challenging to complete entries for this blog because I just haven’t felt super inspired.

And yet, I must press on.

I have to press on because the “February Blues” don’t last forever.  I have to press on because I don’t have time to waste wallowing in my feelings.  I’m on a journey, in the middle of a process; and it continues despite how I feel or what I see.  I can’t allow myself to get so caught up in these fleeting feelings during this “gloomy time” that I find myself unprepared when the sunny time comes.  I have to continue to prepare myself; continue to exercise and strengthen my faith regardless of how I feel.  I’m believing for more than I can see right now, so I have to act like it, move like it, talk like it until I DO see it.

And then I have to believe for more.

What encourages me the most is knowing that “February Blues” don’t last long.  Soon, I’ll be at a point where I can’t recall feeling this way, and I’ll be enjoying the blossoms of spring. As my pastor says, “Anything temporary can be tolerated.”  Since I know this isn’t forever, I will continue to trust, believe, and press my way.  And when the next round of “February Blues” come, I’ll be encouraged because I’ve been here before; because I’ll know what it takes to get through- and I’ll hunker down and do it.

“February Blues”- I’m coming for you!  No more holding me back!

Peace and Blessings!