Inspiration Along The Hard Way

Today I would like to share two blogs from inspiring people: A Dreamer's Wife offers inspirational stories from her own life, as well as from other people's lives. Creative Crumbs is the play-by-play documentary of a young woman pursuing her dream. She has built a business based on decorating cakes and inspiring others in pursuing their dreams.

We live in a world where life can be so easily overwhelming and consuming. Hope is easily lost and only found again when one has the motivation to search for it. Hope doesn't fall in one's lap. Opportunities don't fall in one's lap, unless they have the Midas touch. Any successful person I know has reached their success through hard work and dedication. They don't bow down to trouble and failure; they walk through the fire like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Those three had a secret: there was a fourth in the fire with them. For more information on this traditional Bible story, read Daniel Chapter 3 in the Christian Bible or follow this wikipedia link.

My own story has offered inspiration to others, according to their responses to me, and I hope that one day it will bear the ribbons of success that I seek. As for now, let this brief autobiography suffice:

I was raised in a Nazarene (Christian) pastor's family. It's not easy to live in the fishbowl that is the pastor's family; it's easy to be consumed with what others think rather than with faith in Christ. I could not always do what I wanted to do or what my friends were doing--things as simple as going to the movies or a school dance. I was taught to cling to my faith and believe in the value of the unconditional love of my family, which has since proved worth more than gold.

I graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with a bachelor's degree in management. Fresh out of college and able to make my own decisions, it seemed acceptable in my own mind to explore my curiosities. I have a compassionate heart and a desire to understand the needs and hearts of others; I understand now, as I did not then, that these gifts have boundaries. I more fully understand what is meant by the phrase, "Be in the world, and not of the world."

During college, I strayed away from the Christian church, but in my mid-twenties, I felt the emptiness inside my heart. I knew something was missing. After a time, I began to have physical pains as I read, searched, and discerned answers. I found the Catholic faith a fulfilling answer, though I am supportive of whatever branch of faith brings a person peace. I understand that much of religion is based on culture and familiarity; I can judge no man for what he believes.

In pursuit of love, I moved to Seattle, Washington. I enjoyed the beautiful city with its rich cultural and aesthetic diversity, but I missed being with my family and friends. When the relationship crumbled, I followed my nose back to Nashville, Tennessee.

Since that time I have found it difficult to land fulfilling work that recognizes and utilizes my skill, talent, and passion. I have made some poor decisions along the way, and I have come to appreciate the lessons from each one. Though I still struggle with the guilt and consequences of those decisions, I am glad to have had lessons I will never forget. I am reminded of the DC Talk song, "The Hard Way."

The poorest choices have been made in the last couple of years. I involved myself in a relationship that lead to poor decisions with finances; I found myself living in a tent for six weeks in early spring (meaning there were still some very cold nights). Now, I am very grateful to have a roof over my head, but I long for more definite provisions like hot water and full-time work. I am very thankful for those who have been supportive along the way; without the love and compassion of friends and family, I would not have made it this far up the steep slope I must climb.

Now, I still seek fulfilling work, I find myself in a mountain of debt, and I am uncertain from one month to the next how I will provide for myself. The difference in me now and the difference in me before is that I have a faith and hope more unshakable, I rely on the love and support of friends and family, and I help others whenever I am able. Perhaps the most appropriate opportunity is right around the corner; the uncertainty of this brings heaviness to my heart and mind, but I continue to be sure of what I hope for, and certain of what I do not see. I love photography, writing, editing, and creative design. I seek opportunities in these areas and welcome suggestions.

Your continued prayers are appreciated.

Dear Garrison Keillor

Dear Garrison Keillor,
Thanks for a laugh on the way to work.
Sincerely,
Mandie

I usually am able to catch the Writer's Almanac on the way to work in the mornings. On August 4, 2011, there was read by Garrison Keillor this poem--Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face by Jack Prelutsky.

Tennessee Summer

Wet muggy heat rests in the air

Bright summer sun illuminates my hair

Grass in the field tickles my feet

I, for the mosquitoes, am something to eat

A bird teases a cat just a few feet away

Folks are laughing on such a hot day

Tasty pickles, a little bit tart

Tennessee summer will capture your heart

Everything is Going to be Okay

Everything is going to be okay, my aunt used to say. Such a sweet spirit, such a sweet smile, and it seemed like she didn't let very much bother her. Life wasn't easy, but she knew it was going to be okay.


Those words resound in my head, just the way she said them, when I start to let my feathers get ruffled by life's many inconveniences, tribulations, and stabs. There are so many things that I find it easy to get upset about---not being more successful in a career, not investing more in relationships with family & friends, not being financially peaceful (yet...you just wait, I'll get there), car troubles, and non-achievement of goals. Often it seems like whatever I try to do, life throws a wrench in it before I have a chance to be successful with it.

Everything is going to be okay.

It's hard to stay strong, to keep believing in myself when I see so many obstacles. I overlook my triumphs, I see obstacles as bigger than they are, and I don't take time to count my blessings. But when all is said and done, if I have lived a life of love and kept my priorities in order, it's okay that I never became the big star of whatever I hoped for because I've got family & friends that I love and who love me so much.

Everything is going to be okay.

ABCs of Reality

ABCs of reality makes it all sound so simple to do. Really it's just a simple way of logical thinking. Accept reality, believe in yourself, and have confidence. This, in action, is much more complex than the title makes it sound, but it helps me think through situations in which I find myself; maybe you will benefit too.

There is a saying along the lines, "Everyone wants to blame our generation, but did they ever stop to think who raised us?" That is to say that whatever goodness or badness exists in each person, it will be passed to their descendents not by genetics, but simply by learning those traits through cohabitation unless someone is strong enough to break the chain.

Remember thinking to yourself as a child, "When I grow up I'm never gonna make my kid (fill in the blank with something a parent made you do that you were unwilling to do)." Or perhaps you recognize that a parent handled a situation inappropriately, triggering you to think that you would never respond that way to your children. Did you follow through?

Are you strong enough to break a chain that holds you back, a chain that can hold back your kids? What does it take? Where does the strength come from?

I'm no psychologist. I'm no expert on any one matter, but I am learned and skilled in many areas. Here's my hypothesis: accept reality+believe in yourself=confidence. When you accept certain things of your past and accept your current situation, it's easier to accept responsibility for the things you did to determine your current situation. When you can accept responsibility, it's easier to identify the things for which you can now be responsible in order to make a positive and effective change. When you set your responsibilities and standards reasonably, you can begin thinking of ways you can, instead of ways you can't. When you achieve one small goal, another goal seems easier. When you can accurately identify the realities in your life, you can believe in the reality of you--that's part of accepting reality, accepting yourself. It all builds confidence, but I've learned over the past few years that they seem to go hand in hand.

Sometimes it seems like the changes I thought were so necessary before I took time to evaluate reality turn out not to be changes that need to be made at all. Sometimes it seems like just accepting my own circumstances, accepting myself, were the only changes that really needed to be made.