Saying "No"

I found this link on my cousin's Facebook page, and I really needed this read.  My classes have recently focused on being intentional with our words and actions, but what about taking that a step further... What about  intentional living?

One line in particular struck me:

Intentionality is not so much about saying “yes.” Instead, it’s understanding that saying yes to a commitment or relationship means you will have to say a whole lot of uncomfortable and difficult “no’s.”

This gives clarity to a lot of unanswered questions of my past, and it definitely makes me anxious to be ready to say "no" to all of my other commitments when the right time and person comes along.  For now, I'm praying for peace and readiness.

Really, America?

I wonder what it says about our country and specifically this generation when we are so devastated and shocked by the death of a former CEO of a company.  I get that Steve Jobs was an American icon - as a creator, an innovator, and a businessman, but the hype seems a little extreme.  Case in point: 32 out of the last 50 tweets in my Twitter feed are about Steve Jobs.

Would we react the same way to the death of a member of Congress - a person who is making far bigger decisions on our behalf of our country and has pull in aiding our current economic woes?  I would say that most of our generations doesn't even know about conversations and issues happening in our government right now, and that to me is a huge problem.

Or what about the many soldiers who die in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Surely their families mourn their deaths, but those deaths are on behalf of us.  The sacrifice our soldiers endure is for the protection of our country, and I wonder how many of us are really aware of the effect of their loss.

Honoring people who truly are shaping our world's advancement is important, but let's make a conscious effort to pay attention to other people who are making decisions that are moving our political and economic climate forward too.  Those people have a true impact on the world and its progress.

Point. Set. Match.

I went to my first Iowa State volleyball game tonight, and boy, did it bring back a whole slew of emotions.  I miss the sport, the camaraderie, and the competition.  I found myself thinking about and missing a bunch of things:

• Pre-game dinners with the team
• Playing the rival school and going to five sets (and winning)
• All day Saturday tournaments
• The exhilaration I felt when being in the perfect position to dig a ball
• The thrill of a block, by any teammate
• Post-point cheers
• Being in incredible shape from workouts and games
• The intensity of the competition

Hopefully, I'll find a way to play here sometime soon.   I'm working on being OK with randomly joining a team through the city recreation center, but I worry that I'm going to be way too competitive and not find any fulfillment in playing.  For now, I'll use my energy to cheer on the No. 16 Iowa State team! Go Cyclones!

Sunday Morning Prayer

This morning at Cornerstone, we ended the service with this song. 

It helped me realize that it isn't until I fully know my weakness that I will see the need for God's grace in my life.  And knowing is not just saying I'm in need; I want it to break me, to take my breath away, to devastate me. 

"His spirit is strong in me..."

Seeking Spirituality in our Active World

Working spiritually smarter means seeking wholeness.  Some envision that we are in a "spiritual renaissance" and are recognizing the value of "a renewed search for contemplative values in the flurry of our active lives".  Exploring Leadership by Komives, Lucas, and McMahon

This thought was included in one of my graduate school readings this week, and it got me thinking.  The approach and value of spirituality is so wrong in the world we live in.  People are no longer considering spirituality for their futures (life after death, need for forgiveness and grace, etc.), but instead, people are becoming "spiritual" for the present.  They want health, stability, and calm moments in life so they can feel OK with the lives they lead and go onto the next busy task at hand.  We cannot work spiritually smarter by seeking wholeness in ourselves and in our work.  Complete wholeness can only come from above, from a Creator who is able to do far more than we can ever accomplish in our lowly lives on earth.

Our lifestyles are not going to slow down on their own.  We need to make conscious efforts to look to God and not our spirituality for comfort; find peace in the future life he has planned for us.  Think on that today with me.

Weekend Wisdom

A simple statement but a great reminder.

Fond of Quirkiness

Have you ever laughed uncontrollably all by yourself?  If you haven't, you can stop reading because I'm about to really embarrass myself.  If you're with me, enjoy this commentary and laugh out loud with me!

I seem to do this all.the.time.  My friends will attest to this as well, as I'm often the only one to laugh at certain scenarios.  Sometimes it's just in my head, but other times, it's a full-out laugh.  Most of the time it happens when I'm remembering funny things that have happened to me.  Case in point... two months ago, while making Jiffy Pop in my Blacksburg apartment with two of my friends watching, I proceeded to run in place while I was shaking the metal pan uncontrollably.  It seemed to make the task of popping that popcorn that much easier.  Andy why not get a little workout in before indulging in a butter-drenched snack?  I think I was even singing to myself at one point.  The memory of this adventure cracks me up.  Embarrassing? Yes. Funny? Even more so.

I also tend to laugh out loud with myself when I'm watching a TV show or a movie.  Modern Family gets me every time.  Romantic comedies...of course, but it's usually at lines that no one else would notice like lines from this scene in Two Weeks Notice:



The final thing I tend to laugh with myself about are just situational.  Take yesterday for example.  I was trying to find a card that I bought for my cousin for his birthday, so I ran upstairs to get it.  After coming down, I realized I forgot my pen, and then I found that my stamps were upstairs too, so I made three trips up and down the stairs of my house in a matter of a minute.  The thought of that alone made me laugh all the way up the stairs the third time and shake my head at how silly that minute was.

Maybe it's just my care-free attitude, but this quirky trait of mine doesn't even bother me.  I'm actually rather fond of it.  Keep the hysterical situations coming, God, and I'll keep laughing.