Sparkle Snuffers

I came across this in my book last night, and actually thought it quite sad to read these statistics. I think it’s quite clear that many of us are not living in our Sweet Spot, or we are still struggling to find exactly what that spot is. Unfortunately, it appears that for many, someone or something, has stolen our sparkle.

In an epidemic of commonness… here are some statistics for you*:

1. Unhappiness on the job affects one-fourth of the American work force.
2. One-fourth of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives.
3. Seven out of ten people are neither motivated not competent to perform the basics of their job.
4. Forty-three percent of employees feel anger toward their employers often or very often as a result of feeling overworked.

This makes me sad. Life is too short for so many people to be living in these statistics… day in and day out. Let’s take back our Sparkle, fellow Bloggers.
*Source: Cure for the Common Life, sources on Page 215.

Hey, Y'all... check out my super cute new signature!! Isn't it beautiful (and so me?)

This was a beautiful creation by Penny Lane Designs... if you want a professionaly-made signature (or blog design) that matches your personality, then visit the Penny Lane Blog... she is amazing and so creative!

I LOVE IT!!!!

How Compelling...

Compel. It’s such a strong word. When you wake up in the morning… what compels you? In the words of Webster’s Dictionary, what “forces and drives” you to a “course of action”? What “overpowers and influences” you to get out of bed and go about your day? I was lying in bed yesterday thinking of all I had to do. Thinking of the 7 page, To-Do List sitting on my desk at work. Thinking about how I want to be completely unpacked in my new apartment. Thinking about how I need to go on a diet. Thinking about all sorts of things… but especially, thinking about how all I want to do is live my life in my “sweet spot.” [If you don't know what I mean about Sweet Spot, read the rest of my Blog!] So... This verse came to mind…

“For the love of Christ compels us…” (2 Cor. 5:14)

I started thinking… Is it really Christ’s love that compels me? Is He really the “force” that drives me? Is His love in me the very thing that overpowers me to want to get up and out of bed? And most of all, is it His love that drives me to live in my “sweet spot”? Does Christ’s love in me give me the passion to love others and to want to help them and change their lives? Encouraging them to be the best they can be and live in their God-given destiny? Is it because of God’s love that I want to live in a place where I use the gifts He has given me to bring glory to His name? The answer most of the time… is No. It’s usually NOT God’s love that compels me. So many times, it’s my selfishness. The desire for MY life to be what I want it to be. To be able to do what I want to do and when I want to do it….

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…” (Phil. 2:3)

In reading this verse, consider the definition of Ambition:

1. an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment
2. the object, state, or result desired or sought after

So often, it is my own selfish ambitions that get the best of me… my OWN “earnest desires for some type of achievement”. I'm not fooling myself in to thinking that it's always for "God's best interest" that I pursue the dreams in my life. I think it's ok that we have our own goals & hopes for our future, but my point is... to keep selfishness out!

When I consider the verse below… it makes me want to run far, far, far away… from my selfish ambitions, and instead seek Christ more so that His love will compel me in all things!!!

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16)

I know, I know!

I've been bad at keeping up with the BLOG! My friend Erin helped me make a pretty page and I'm not even putting it to work. :) Now that I've finally rested from my move... I will start reading my book again, which of course, is the inspiration for this blog.

I promise to do better... so that the 2 people that actually keep up with my blog, won't be disappointed when they don't see any updates.

JOY!

You know what? I'm tired of letting man steal my joy! The only reason he can do it, is because I've let him. My joy, my true inner peace and rest, comes from Christ. My joy is not based upon my circumstances or based upon how others treat me, or mistreat me. Friends will hurt you. Family will hurt you. Spouses will hurt you. Co-workers will hurt you. However, at the end of the day, my JOY remains, and I need to just get over it.

I am so blessed. God has provided for me in so many ways and given me such an amazing life – surrounded by fabulous people. Loving, healthy family, and friends. An awesome husband who adores me, and a sweet little puppy dog that adores me too. My life is amazing. Sure I've had my share of hard times, but God has been so good to me and so faithful, through every stinkin hard time!! He is the One that “infuses me with strength and makes my way perfect” (Ps. 18:32). My life and my dreams are in God’s hands… And everything is in His perfect timing…

Today...

Today I need strength, and I'm asking God for an extra dose of it. For some reason, (well, actually for many reasons), this week has been hard for me. I have alot going on in my life right now, and I'm struggling to find joy, stability, and work/life balance. I'm asking God to take my emotions right now, and to tie them in a really tight knot - and then toss them out somewhere into a deep sea.

I am loooonging to live in my "sweet spot"... but I need patience. I need to "bloom where I'm planted" now. I need to be a light, and remain diligent and thankful........... BLAH!