LIFE IN BLOOM

Learning How to Flourish in God's Grace

Tag Archives: Life


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Better.

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 3:12-14

I want to be better.

That’s not an unusual desire for someone like me, who has nudges of perfectionism oozing out of their pores.  Things must be JUST right.  All the time.  If I’m submitting work, it needs to be excellent.  Why? Because my name is on it.  I want my name to be associated with quality.

This is a great desire to have in a place like school or work, where you can be constantly rewarded for your excellence; thus feeding this sense of perfectionism in a way that can be unhealthy.  But in life, it’s a little different.

It’s so easy to settle.  So much so that it’s frustrating.  I often lament my frustration as I watch beautiful, intelligent, wonderful women settle for guys who are SO undeserving of their time and energy.  Or watching students settle for a B (or lower) because they don’t want to work for the higher grade that they are capable of having.  In today’s society it requires a lot of discipline to refuse to settle.  And unfortunately, discipline isn’t taught or practiced like it used to be.

But I want to be better.  Better disciplined at my life practices.  Better focused on my dissertation.  Better at managing my finances and building wealth.  A better daughter.  A better sister.  A better friend.  A better me.

I’ve started by being better at my health, and getting back on the workout routine after abandoning it in the busyness that comes with starting a new job, moving, and getting settled.  I’ve been eating better, getting more sleep, watching less television, and being more active overall.  And I already feel better.

With anything though, I have to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint.  And as such, I have to pace myself.  Will I always be perfect?  Not at all.  But I’ve got to keep moving, keep learning, keep growing; keep desiring to be better.

Here’s to pressing towards the mark- in all areas of life.

Until next time…


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Go With What YOU Know

So I wouldn’t normally advocate for “going with what you know”, mostly because I recognize that what we think we know can be flawed based on our perspective, our circumstances, our life history, and a zillion other things.

However, I’ve faced some challenges recently that have forced me to follow this “go with what you know” advice.  As I’ve begun to move forward, making and preparing for different changes in my life, I’ve faced resistance.  While this is to be expected, it’s forced me to also reexamine what I know- and HOW it is that I have this knowledge. 

The challenges that I’ve faced this year have forced me to plug in (even more) to God and to trust where He is guiding me and what He is telling me.  I’ve been forced to not only trust God, but to go with what I know He has told me, shown me, and promised me; moving confidently in that direction regardless of the dissatisfaction of others.

It’s not to say that the dissatisfaction of others is meaningless.  I strongly believe in seeking Godly counsel.  At the same time, there’s a point where relationships change because people change and are headed in different directions.  Sometimes as relationships change, we’re not able to provide people with the best advice for them because we’re examining them through a lens that is no longer applicable.  That said, I believe in taking advice from people who have been where I have been and who are where I desire to be.  Those are who I believe that I can trust to help be the bridge between my now and my future.  

But ultimately, despite who’s been providing me with Godly counsel, praying for me, praying with me, and supporting me; this has really been a time where I’ve had to rest in God and go with what I know through Him. 

Until next time- peace and blessings!