Fill the void

We all take up space in this world, but are we using the space we take up wisely? Is there something that you see that needs to be done that just doesn't get done by someone else? I pick up pieces of paper that I see on the floor at work and put them in the trash, but I often wonder how many other people just walked past it. It is not like you have to be an employee to know where to put the trash, but people just move past that responsibility because it is "not their problem" or they are in a hurry. I love those commercials where someone helps someone and other people seem to notice it and then repeat a kind gesture to someone else. That's called paying it forward. I know I have gotten myself involved in things that others either ignored or didn't get anywhere. It is not like I have some special powers or something, but if you believe in something so strongly that you want to say something or do something, then maybe that is the void you are meant to fill. The G.I.F.T. is a perfect example of filling the void. All these women were lacking in finding their direction and I am sure that the majority of them either dismissed those thoughts are dumb and felt that they were alone. That no one else must feel like I do. Everyone else looks like they are holding it together, so what's wrong with me? Yes, these women are coming to realize that they all have something in common - they are trying to fill the void in their life. Now, we all don't have a void to fill that is so enormous that the planet's inhabitants' well-being rests on our next decision. It can be something so much smaller...and so it begins with being aware of what is around you and what you can do to make your world better. I think most people enjoy serving others in some capacity, but are unsure how. Serving others does not have to be a long committment but can fill us with such joy that it gets carried over into other aspects of our life. My love of service came by accident and is was not my major in college. No regrets. Ask yourself what void you could fill and do it. It will also fill your heart. And then you will reach again...and again...

What God gave me...

Today at work, I was kidding around with a co-worker and she told me that it was a good thing God gave me patience. My reply was, "God gave me lots of things, but it is my choice as to when I use them." Then, I started thinking...Rocky tells me I get a funny grin on my face when I do that. Apparently the smile and brain work simultaneously. Or at least when I get into "my mode". You and I both know you have many talents, even those we really do not want others to see or want to acknowledge. Regardless if those talents are used for good or bad, we choose when we use them. We choose to smile at strangers and wish them to "Have a Great Day" when we pass them along the trail at 5:30am. We choose to give a waiter a little extra in their tip because we overheard them talking about a new baby on the way. We choose to give away our talents, freely and unconditionally, because that is why God created us. My job includes service and I use the word serve when I talk to clients and their parents. I use it when I talk to co-workers or people that need a little direction to find what they are looking for. I serve my family, my friends, my church, and my community. I serve you, the readers of this blog that has now taken on a meaning that is so much more than a couple of random thoughts here and there. I choose to use this talent for you. I have to admit...I am always surprised when people tell me they read what I have to say. Not that I believe that it isn't important or that they don't get something from it. In no other way to explain it, I guess I have to say that it truly humbles me. God has a plan for each of us and we have to let him drive the bus, even if His destination is not where we think we need to go. If you do that, you might as well pack for a vacation...but you have no idea of what to bring because you do not know where you are headed. For years, I thought I had to have it all figured out. I needed to know the end destination before I got the ticket. Then, I could pack and prepare for where the ticket would take me. 20 months ago, I gave that up. Not because I had to, but because I was ready to receive it then. Are you ready to receive it? What has God given you that you don't use? Why don't you use it? Because it is easier not to? (How many of you picked that as your answer? - Be honest!) BE YOU! God created you with many talents and skills - you cannot serve the world or those closest to you when you hide them. What is the point of having the most beautiful flower bloom if no one ever sees it? I am grateful everyday for what God has given me and I show my appreciation when I use those gifts for people. That is how I serve Him.

I don't get it

Sometimes, we make things harder on ourselves than it needs to be. I don't get why we do that. Sometimes, people that we love the most can say the most hurtful things. I don't get why they do that. Sometimes, things aren't that complicated. I don't get why people make it so. Sometimes, people are mean and jealous of others. I don't get that wasted time and effort. Sometimes, people change their minds. I don't get how you think I knew that. Sometimes, people look for something to catch you on. I don't get why pointing out mistakes is a good thing. Sometimes, people can look you in the eye and lie to you. I don't get dishonesty. Sometimes, people need to stand up to bullies and put them in their place. I don't get why people don't tell others when they are wrong. There are many more...I sit here shaking my head because of these scenarios seem dumb and a waste of life itself. I had a really nice conversation with a young man yesterday and he has made some bad choices in his life, yet he seems to be understanding of what will come his way because he has accepted responsibility for his actions. He is not making excuses or blaming others. He is being a man. Way to go, KT, I am proud of you. Why is it so hard being the kind of people we really want to be? Yes, I already answered my own question - because it is DIFFICULT! Sometimes, we have our own agenda because we need to take of us - I get that - but not all the time. I tell people that I am here to serve and some of the people that I work with are surprised by that but it is the truth. I am here to serve not just at work, but in my family, with my friends, at my church, in this world. I am built that way. There are takers and givers in this world - which one are you? If you are a taker, do you want to give more? Are you unsure of how to go about making that change? Start little, but it starts with you and your heart. Take "you" off the agenda and put others first. It is amazing what you get back. It will fill your heart with such joy, that you will never want to be a taker again. All of the things I mention above are choices that people make and I will never understand most of them. But it has to change. We want it to change. We have to work at it and never give up. We get frustrated when we feel like we fail at something we are trying to be, so we want to throw in the towel and walk away. "Running is easy...staying is hard." But what if we keep trying to be something that we are? That I get.