Focusing Outward
Here we are a few days before Christmas.
I have it in the back of my mind I'd like to write every day. I love to write. I wish I could communicate all of these thoughts in my mind to a person or place where they could do some good in the world.
The last few weeks threw A LOT at me that I wasn't expecting. I had calendared in a stress-free Christ-centered December.
If I posted, I can't remember if I just journaled, about my recent findings, I had recently come (probably not for the first time) to the conclusion that I DO BETTER when I'm outwardly focused. I do better when I'm thinking about others, and helping others, and loving others. I do better when I read the scriptures that give me those ideas. I do better when I'm busy, either helping people or doing my things that make my life feel solid.
I'm happy to report that at this point in my life, getting things thrown at me is welcome and brings joy because I keep my base, knock them out, and don't let go of my previous plans to make it happen.
So my December might not have been clear of unexpected stresses, but it was still filled with so much giving to neighbors and friends and strangers. It was filled with quality time with a lot of unexpected people. I was able to reach out to help people who needed it. And I was able to do it with love in my heart that I'd been hoping to give to someone.
I think the most important thing I was able to teach my daughters through example, after countless visits to peoples houses for so many different reasons, is that there is no need to be worried to talk to someone you don't know, and that in 99% of the cases, you will be welcomed in and leave feeling grateful for that human connection, and they'll be grateful too. I try to bring them with me ALWAYS if I'm on a mission to help, talk to, visit, or give so that they see that its a thing that I'm doing each day and it is easy to incorporate into their lives. I think they'll thank me some day. :)
Merry Christmas!
I have it in the back of my mind I'd like to write every day. I love to write. I wish I could communicate all of these thoughts in my mind to a person or place where they could do some good in the world.
The last few weeks threw A LOT at me that I wasn't expecting. I had calendared in a stress-free Christ-centered December.
If I posted, I can't remember if I just journaled, about my recent findings, I had recently come (probably not for the first time) to the conclusion that I DO BETTER when I'm outwardly focused. I do better when I'm thinking about others, and helping others, and loving others. I do better when I read the scriptures that give me those ideas. I do better when I'm busy, either helping people or doing my things that make my life feel solid.
I'm happy to report that at this point in my life, getting things thrown at me is welcome and brings joy because I keep my base, knock them out, and don't let go of my previous plans to make it happen.
So my December might not have been clear of unexpected stresses, but it was still filled with so much giving to neighbors and friends and strangers. It was filled with quality time with a lot of unexpected people. I was able to reach out to help people who needed it. And I was able to do it with love in my heart that I'd been hoping to give to someone.
I think the most important thing I was able to teach my daughters through example, after countless visits to peoples houses for so many different reasons, is that there is no need to be worried to talk to someone you don't know, and that in 99% of the cases, you will be welcomed in and leave feeling grateful for that human connection, and they'll be grateful too. I try to bring them with me ALWAYS if I'm on a mission to help, talk to, visit, or give so that they see that its a thing that I'm doing each day and it is easy to incorporate into their lives. I think they'll thank me some day. :)
Merry Christmas!
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