It's Complicated

We've all seen the Facebook status, "it's complicated." We've heard about situationships, and I'm sure that there are certain situations and even relationships that fit within these guidelines. However, most relationships are easily defined. We just choose not to define them. We know exactly what we signed up for in the beginning. We ignore the voice in the back of our head. We ignore that feeling in our gut. We tell ourselves, "it's complicated." 

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."- Confucius

Believe in Yourself

I woke up this morning with The Wiz on my mind. I don't know why. I like The Wizard of Oz, but I love The Wiz. I watched this YouTube clip of Lena Horne belting out, "If You Believe." I love stories like The Alchemist and The Wizard of Oz because the main character goes on this epic journey all to find out that they possessed the very thing they were searching for all along. Dorothy was wearing the very thing that could bring her home. Santiago's treasure was where his journey began. Most of us have to go on our own journeys of discovery before we truly believe in ourselves. We let fear and doubt hinder us from taking leaps of faith. We let our insecurities stop us from liberating ourselves. Believe in yourself. Trust your journey. 

Accountable

Who holds you accountable? Is it your husband? Is it your wife? Is it your sister or brother? Is it your mother or father? Is it your friend? Is it God? There should be someone in your life who you respect to keep you in check. There should be someone who can encourage you when you are down, chastise you when you're wrong, and celebrate you when you are victorious. If you don't have someone, I challenge you to find an accountability partner. You need someone to show you the man or woman in the mirror. You need someone to give you a gut check with love. Be present. Be accounted for and be accountable. 

Patience

One of the first attributes to describe love in 1st Corinthians is patience. Love is patient. Patience is defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. So, I won't get mad when things don't go my way because "I love you." I understand that delay is not denial, and trouble doesn't last always. Love is long-suffering. So, the next time my tween gets short with me or my husband forgot to do something on his "honey-do" list, I will exhibit patience. Patience is a virtue that is learned by trial and error. 

Love Works

I facilitated a Lunch and Learn series at my old job based on the book, "Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leadership" by Joel Manby. The principles in this book are based on the biblical principles of love discussed in 1 Corinthians: patience, kindness, trust, unselfishness, truth, forgiveness, and dedication. For eight weeks, we discussed and brainstormed strategies on how to improve the workplace and implement the principles of Love Works. Each week, it became clearer that I worked in a toxic environment with ineffective leadership that had no desire to let love work. How many of us work and live in toxic environments? How many of us refuse to let love work because of fear? I learned that Love Works when you let it. Love Works when you are willing to do the work. Love Works when you let go of fear and doubt and insecurity. Love works when you trust. Love works when you believe that love truly does cover a multitude of sins. Love works when you let love conquer all.

Nirvana

My first introduction to Nirvana was in 1991. Kurt Cobain was singing melodic tunes in a gym filled with tranced-out teenagers. I have to admit that hook was catchy. My second introduction was in ministers training class when we studied the twelve major religions of the world. I often compared my idea of heaven with a Buddhist's version of Nirvana. Not the same. Nirvana is a state of desirelessness whereas heaven is a state of having one's most fundamental desire fulfilled. Similarly, they are both places where one is oblivious to pain, worry, or fear. Nirvana is the most common term used to describe the goal of the Buddhist path. The literal meaning is "blowing out" or "quenching." It's hard to imagine a place with no wants, no needs, and no desires. It's definitely not on Earth. Interesting enough, almost every major religion has their version of this place for some it is a mindset, and for others, it's another plane of existence. Whatever you believe or don't believe, Nirvana, Heaven, the afterlife sounds like a better place. It sounds like a place I definitely would want to go, as long as it doesn't smell like teen spirit. Pun intended.
 

"What we think, we become."- Buddha

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

"Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny." -Mahatma Gandhi


 

Momentum

I hated Physics. In fact, I looked forward to days when there was a substitute. I could care less about a ball rolling down a hill gathering momentum. I never understood why I needed to know the speed two trains were traveling in opposite directions. It was all Greek to me, literally. Interesting enough, I love rollercoasters. I love the build-up before the big drop. I love the quick turns and the loops are the best.

Now, imagine your whole year as this thrill ride. You spend the first part of the year debating whether or not you are going to get on the ride. Then, you finally decide, and you get in line. This is what I like to call the "hurry up and wait"part. You make it to the front of the line, and it's finally your turn. You board the coaster. The anticipation is building. You are having second thoughts, but it's too late. The bottom falls out. You hit that first drop. It's not what you expected, but it wasn't that bad. Next up is a quick turn. You didn't see it coming and before you know it, you're in a loop. Your life has turned upside-down. You're not in control. The car is building momentum. You're going fast, and just when you're starting to enjoy yourself. The ride is over.

What's the lesson? Enjoy the ride. Take advantage of life's momentum moments. They propel you into your destiny. It will be over before you know it.