I've decided that I'm happiest when I am just me, in all my glory, with all my nerdiness hanging out for the world to see. The more I follow my inner nerd, the more comfortable I feel in my own skin. I've always been pretty self-conscious and worried about what others think about me, and I think that concern has kept me from being more of a light to those around me. Those people who are bold or brave or willing to be in the spotlight...I've always kind of been envious of them. You know the type: They mug for the camera, hit the dance floor first, sing karaoke willingly (without being dragged up on the stage). I wish I had more of that in me, but I don't. It's just not who I am. But I am finding ways to fly my nerd flag without worrying about what others think. Just this morning I was singing my heart out to the car radio, and even though I got stopped at the red light, with cars all around me, I just kept singing. I felt like this was kind of a little victory. And sometimes the little victories feel the best.
Let your inner nerd out, my friends! I wish I had learned that much, much earlier. But it's never too late to try!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Soak up the Light!
Hi again, friends!
Perhaps you remember the old adage, "You are what you eat." I always thought it was an odd thing to say, and as a kid I took it quite literally, believing that I would become (literally) what I ate. My step-brother and I, having been inspired by Saturday morning cartoons, believed that we would become stronger if we ate our spinach like Popeye did. Our aluminum swing set (the inexpensive type that could be purchased at the local Kmart and assembled at home) tipped over in the yard; we raced inside to eat a can of spinach that would fuel our ability to set our swing set upright (we had to use the can opener, I'm afraid, unlike Popeye who could just squeeze the can until the lid popped open). We ate our spinach and raced back outside and easily righted our swing set...the old adage (and Popeye cartoons) held true. At the tender age of 7 and 5 were victorious!
Modern-day Orthodox Jews also believe in the notion that they are what they eat. A few years ago I read an article called "Soul Food," written by a rabbi to kosher-practicing Jews. The article explains the rationale behind Jewish dietary laws which have their roots in Leviticus. He explains that, in part, their kosher laws are in place because what a person takes into her body can impact her soul. He says, "Even the types of animals we eat are chosen in part for their symbolism. The ruminants that have split hooves tend to be tranquil, domesticated animals that have no natural weapons. These are animals whose characteristics we may absorb through eating. We may not eat scavengers, carnivores or birds of prey -- these are not characteristics that we want to absorb at all." They believe that what they spend time eating will manifest itself in their characters...dare I say their souls! (Here's a link to the article if you'd like to read it: http://ohr.edu/explore/explore_judaism/993).
Well, I haven't been paying careful attention to what I've been eating lately (I just snuck down to the refrigerator for a few slices of salami which I followed with four chocolates from the Whitman Sampler my husband was given at Christmas), so I can't say much about healthy eating. But I can say that who you are as a person can be directly influenced by the people with whom you associate.
I've decided that my quest to understand and pursue God's light can be helped or hindered by the people with whom I spend my time and for whom I spend my energy. The right people fill me up with positivity, inspiration, and a desire to impact the world for good. And some people can diminish my joy with negativity, selfishness, or division. I can love both types of people, but perhaps I need to re-evaluate how much energy I am dedicating to the latter group. Is what I am taking in, on a relationship/friendship/acquaintance level, influencing and coming out in my character? Is what I am taking in positively or negatively impacting my heart and soul? Hmmm...something to chew on for sure (har har! I couldn't help grabbing that pun. I do love a pun!).
While I don't have any future plans to clean out my pantry, throw away the Oreos, and fill up the shelves with a stockpile of health foods, I think I can certainly examine where I am expending the most energy, passion, and time, and I can choose to focus my efforts where they will bear the best fruit.
And we all know that fruit grows best with lots and lots of light. May God's light shine on you this week and all year long!
H.
Perhaps you remember the old adage, "You are what you eat." I always thought it was an odd thing to say, and as a kid I took it quite literally, believing that I would become (literally) what I ate. My step-brother and I, having been inspired by Saturday morning cartoons, believed that we would become stronger if we ate our spinach like Popeye did. Our aluminum swing set (the inexpensive type that could be purchased at the local Kmart and assembled at home) tipped over in the yard; we raced inside to eat a can of spinach that would fuel our ability to set our swing set upright (we had to use the can opener, I'm afraid, unlike Popeye who could just squeeze the can until the lid popped open). We ate our spinach and raced back outside and easily righted our swing set...the old adage (and Popeye cartoons) held true. At the tender age of 7 and 5 were victorious!
Modern-day Orthodox Jews also believe in the notion that they are what they eat. A few years ago I read an article called "Soul Food," written by a rabbi to kosher-practicing Jews. The article explains the rationale behind Jewish dietary laws which have their roots in Leviticus. He explains that, in part, their kosher laws are in place because what a person takes into her body can impact her soul. He says, "Even the types of animals we eat are chosen in part for their symbolism. The ruminants that have split hooves tend to be tranquil, domesticated animals that have no natural weapons. These are animals whose characteristics we may absorb through eating. We may not eat scavengers, carnivores or birds of prey -- these are not characteristics that we want to absorb at all." They believe that what they spend time eating will manifest itself in their characters...dare I say their souls! (Here's a link to the article if you'd like to read it: http://ohr.edu/explore/explore_judaism/993).
Well, I haven't been paying careful attention to what I've been eating lately (I just snuck down to the refrigerator for a few slices of salami which I followed with four chocolates from the Whitman Sampler my husband was given at Christmas), so I can't say much about healthy eating. But I can say that who you are as a person can be directly influenced by the people with whom you associate.
I've decided that my quest to understand and pursue God's light can be helped or hindered by the people with whom I spend my time and for whom I spend my energy. The right people fill me up with positivity, inspiration, and a desire to impact the world for good. And some people can diminish my joy with negativity, selfishness, or division. I can love both types of people, but perhaps I need to re-evaluate how much energy I am dedicating to the latter group. Is what I am taking in, on a relationship/friendship/acquaintance level, influencing and coming out in my character? Is what I am taking in positively or negatively impacting my heart and soul? Hmmm...something to chew on for sure (har har! I couldn't help grabbing that pun. I do love a pun!).
While I don't have any future plans to clean out my pantry, throw away the Oreos, and fill up the shelves with a stockpile of health foods, I think I can certainly examine where I am expending the most energy, passion, and time, and I can choose to focus my efforts where they will bear the best fruit.
And we all know that fruit grows best with lots and lots of light. May God's light shine on you this week and all year long!
H.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Enjoy Life!
Alright my friends, I've been continuing my quest to understand what it is to be light in darkness. Being a fairly simple girl, I really want these to be practical things that I can actually build into my life and daily habits. Several years ago I was sitting in church listening to our now retired pastor, Bill Hemenway, preach the Sunday sermon. I don't recall the overarching topic, but I will never forget one simple thing that he said which changed my thinking in a profound way. I suspect that he wouldn't even remember what he said if I mentioned it to him, probably because contextually-speaking it was a side note in the sermon. But I can still feel how those words pierced into my heart and changed it.
So are you dying to hear what he said? Alright, I will tell you. To paraphrase, he said, "God created this world for us to enjoy. He made nature and other beautiful things to bring us joy. So why are we Christians prone to being mopey and sad and overburdened with the cares of this world? God made us to enjoy the life He gave us. So let's start looking like it."
This seems like such an obvious thing, but it was as if I had never thought of this concept before. My God is the creator of the world. He is all-powerful, almighty, and gracious. He made birdsong and sparkling snow, and the smell of newly cut grass in large part to bring us joy. And I'll bet it brings God great pleasure to see us enjoying the world He made in the same way that parents feel great happiness to watch their children open their presents on Christmas Day.
So I think a great way to be a light in darkness is to simply appreciate and enjoy our world and the people I come across every day. I want to open my eyes to the blessings that God has showered all around me. I want to put a smile on someone's face who is having a bad day. Being light can be as simple as a smile at the cute old grandpa walking down the sidewalk, joking with the cashier at the grocery store, or dropping extra change in the tip jar at the coffee shop.
It's usually the simplest things that can bring the most joy and profound change. I love that a side note in a sermon gave me a whole new way to look at things. Time to live abundantly!
Here's a little food for thought from John 10: "[Jesus said] I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
So are you dying to hear what he said? Alright, I will tell you. To paraphrase, he said, "God created this world for us to enjoy. He made nature and other beautiful things to bring us joy. So why are we Christians prone to being mopey and sad and overburdened with the cares of this world? God made us to enjoy the life He gave us. So let's start looking like it."
This seems like such an obvious thing, but it was as if I had never thought of this concept before. My God is the creator of the world. He is all-powerful, almighty, and gracious. He made birdsong and sparkling snow, and the smell of newly cut grass in large part to bring us joy. And I'll bet it brings God great pleasure to see us enjoying the world He made in the same way that parents feel great happiness to watch their children open their presents on Christmas Day.
So I think a great way to be a light in darkness is to simply appreciate and enjoy our world and the people I come across every day. I want to open my eyes to the blessings that God has showered all around me. I want to put a smile on someone's face who is having a bad day. Being light can be as simple as a smile at the cute old grandpa walking down the sidewalk, joking with the cashier at the grocery store, or dropping extra change in the tip jar at the coffee shop.
It's usually the simplest things that can bring the most joy and profound change. I love that a side note in a sermon gave me a whole new way to look at things. Time to live abundantly!
Here's a little food for thought from John 10: "[Jesus said] I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Friday, January 4, 2013
Living in the Light
Hello friends!
I have been thinking a lot about light these days. This world can be pretty dark sometimes (not all the time...I try not to be a cynic!), and I have felt like the cares of the world have been weighing me down for a long time. So, I have endeavored to study light and practice being light in darkness. I went to the Bible Gateway online and did a search for the word "light." There were countless references relating to light. And then it occured to me (duh) that the FIRST thing God created was light.
Here's a passage that inspires me on this quest for light, from Psalm 18:28-30.
"For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him."
And so, my friends, I would like to ask you a question: In what ways do you try to live with light in your daily life? It could be something small, like volunteering at your favorite organization, or something big, like adopting a child who needs a loving family. I anxiously await your ideas!
I have been thinking a lot about light these days. This world can be pretty dark sometimes (not all the time...I try not to be a cynic!), and I have felt like the cares of the world have been weighing me down for a long time. So, I have endeavored to study light and practice being light in darkness. I went to the Bible Gateway online and did a search for the word "light." There were countless references relating to light. And then it occured to me (duh) that the FIRST thing God created was light.
Here's a passage that inspires me on this quest for light, from Psalm 18:28-30.
"For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him."
And so, my friends, I would like to ask you a question: In what ways do you try to live with light in your daily life? It could be something small, like volunteering at your favorite organization, or something big, like adopting a child who needs a loving family. I anxiously await your ideas!
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