Two types of people

When it comes to a lot of things, it seems there are two different types of people who exist. Sure, some people probably fit somewhere in the middle, but I think they usually sway more in one direction. I guess we could look at it like a spectrum. Anyway...
When it comes to sickness and injury, there are those who revel in it and there are those who try not to let it affect them. Some people love the attention and sympathy that sickness and injury brings them, so they make sure everyone knows about it, they play it up, and they make it an excuse to not do things... just because they can! On the other hand, there are people who ignore their sickness or injury the best they can and try to get on with life, often to the detriment of their healing and future health! I definitely fit into the second category.
When it comes to responsibility, there are those who blame everything on other people and there are those who take on way too much themselves. Some people think it's not their responsibility to clean up their mess (let alone someone else's! gasp!), and if something goes wrong it's definitely someone else's fault (even if they're the one who didn't put in the effort required to succeed). On the other hand, there are people who take the worries of the world on their shoulders or do so much for others that they either begin to be taken advantage of or they burn out. I think I'm somewhere in the middle here.
There are so many personality trait spectrums, but those are just two examples.
I find personalities and traits fascinating. I love people.

Maintaining Friendships...

I just came across this article about friendships, and think it's great! Some good advice and encouragement. I love friends. You should probably read it too.

Saying what you mean

It happens all the time. Someone says, "let's go out for coffee sometime," or "I'll text you this week," or "I'm planning a trip (insert place name here) in (insert time here), you should come too." But do they always mean it? Honestly, no. I'm sure I do it too, although I really have tried not to, because I know how disappointing it can be to find out they didn't mean in. I've found myself in foreign places at certain times because others said they'd be there at the same time I did... but apparently I was the only one that meant it. Then there are those who are always like, "come over for dinner," so I say, "love to, let me know what day works for you," and then never hear anything about it until the next time they say, "come over for dinner." One day maybe that dinner will happen!
I think it'd be much easier on the emotions and plans of others if we all only said these things if we genuinely mean them. Do you agree?

Double Whammy

Just a little extra something encouraging for you tonight... (please excuse the American spelling... can't be bothered fixing it. Haha.)

The Savior Self

By Michael Warden

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"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 TNIV

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SOMETIMES THE DAYS become war. They blindside us with unrelenting blows from the mundane corners of everyday life. There is too much to do, too many fronts to defend, too many fires to put out. So what deceives us into traveling the days as though we have strength enough to be the savior of our own lives? Do we conclude (quietly, secretly, where even our own thoughts can barely hear) that since God is doing nothing, then we must somehow make a way for ourselves?

Too often, we miss Jesus. Striving the way we do always makes the distance between us and Him ache with inconsolable longing. But the damnable part of that is that it doesn’t have to be so! He is there with us; He remains still. Patient. Waiting. Being God.

Of the pressures and distractions and decisions we must face each day, there is (it seems) no end. But there is only one decision that truly matters. And that is the decision to cling close to Jesus, to hang trembling to his garments, whatever battle-lines form against us at our backs. Choosing not to fight in our own strength. But to believe, and to rest.

Critic's math

I recently read a Jon Acuff blog about Critic's math, where someone receiving feedback from others can't help but apply the following formula:
1 insult + 1,000 compliments = 1 insult.
The insult is the thing that sticks and often overrides a multiple of compliments even if you don't want it to.
I was thinking, this can apply to other areas in life, but with some possible variation, and I think it can be built on further. For example, if we are hurt by someone, often that hurt is what the mind dwells upon despite all the good times and kind words. However, I also find that, with time, these hurts are forgotten to varying degrees and it is the good memories that remain. I guess that's the beauty of forgiveness and reconciliation. While we need to forgive, we do also need to learn from these situations, though, and not just let ourselves drift back into them again.
Another example has happened to me when I've been travelling. Sometimes tricky things happen to me when I'm in some foreign country, and there's just no option of going home to the familiar and safe. Whether it's being told my booking wasn't processed properly and so I may be out on the street for the night, or I'm in a strange town where no one speaks English and I need to find some transport but no one can tell me where or when to find any! In these moments I just want to give it all up and go home. In these moments I wonder what I'm doing, why I'm here, and maybe I just want to cry. Looking back on travels, though, these are not the moments that stand out, but it's all the good times that take over my memory.
Is this the same as the critic's math... does the equation or the power of the equation change with time?

Lonely, but not rejected.

I love it when you read something that captures many of your thoughts in words. This article contains some stuff I've been thinking about and talking about lately, and you should read it, especially if you're single. It may not be exactly how I would've worded things or angled the topic, but it has some good thoughts in it.

Momentous occassions!

Two significant and momentous things occurred in my life today... it snowed at my house, and I watched the BBC's Pride and Prejudice for the first time. All 6 hours of it. Noone I know- even those who have lived in the area for years and years- have seen snow in Korokoro. So that was exciting! And not only did it snow here, but it snowed down in the Hutt Valley. Craziness! Only once in my life have I experienced snow at my own house, and that was when I lived with my parents in Normandale- a lot further above sea level! And even that was considered a bit of freak weather. Snow on the mountain is fun... but the fun level is increased a hundred-fold when it's at your own house!
I love Jane Austen, and don't know why I've never actually watched the BBC series of Pride and Prejudice before! Many people were shocked I hadn't seen it before now. Of course, I loved it. Gah. The scene near the end when Elizabeth is talking to her dad in his office even brought a tear! It would be so weird if people actually talked like that now. I can't imagine it! Beautiful.

In other significant news... on Friday night we had our big fashion show that we've been planning for months- Shabby Chic. It was all clothes from the Salvation Army Family Store, being modelled by a wide variety of women, of various ages, shapes and sizes, and it was a huge success! Being out the back dressing all the models and all of that, I didn't actually get to see much of the show itself, but from all the positive comments we received, I am assured that it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening! I even got to have my hair and make-up done, which is always fun! The whole idea behind the show was "joy, transformation and beauty," and was based on Isaiah 61:3. We had a fabulous team working together on the event, and all $4100 that we raised is going towards the Community Ministries at our church.

There are lots of positives going on in my life at the moment, and I am unbelievably thankful for that. Life is good. God is great.
Even this morning at church we were reminded to put God first in our finances, interests, relationships, schedules and troubles, which is something I've been thinking about lately. Especially about turning to God first before relying on other people or other things to fix stuff or make us happy. Love his timing.

Dreams

I have been challenged this week, by several influential people in my life, about what my dreams are for the future. Now that I've completed my degree and am in this period of limbo leading into transition, this is something I get asked a lot. The problem is, I don't have an answer to this question. As I've been thinking about it, I've realised that the only real dream I've had for a while now is to be a parent and a foster parent. I don't have a career dream. However, for several reasons, this would be very difficult on my own. Then, this lack of husband situation leads to a couple of other things:
- I have endometriosis and I am 27 years old. The chances of getting pregnant beyond the age of 27 for someone with endometriosis are somewhat slim. I find myself bawling my eyes out just as I type this fact. I know that anything is possible with God, but still the medical science factor weighs on my mind.
- This leads into the idea of God having a plan for our lives versus God blessing and honouring our dreams. I know he's in control. But not knowing what the purpose of these dreams are if they only cause me distress the longer they go unfulfilled is tough.
- Then there's the fact that everyone around me is married, in a relationship, or heading that way, and this only makes me feel worse about myself. Of course I'm happy for them, and love knowing that they're happy. But I'd also like a tiny bit of that happiness for myself for a change. I know that I'm not alone in feeling like this, but for a long time I was happy doing my own thing and enjoying independent life, so now I fully understand what it's like to be on the other side of the coin. It's shit.
Everyday I turn my anxieties, dreams and insecurities over to God. And I trust him with my future. I really do. I'd just love a little reassurance that I have these dreams for a reason, and that my life in this current state of limbo really does have some purpose.

Dirty Feet

Wow. <-This resonates with me.