| Update and Daily Exercises |
| Alright, my friends, I am so behind and so confused that I’ve decided I’ll just do two of these daily exercises per day, starting with July 1, to get caught up.
My BFF’s family is calming down. Her son-in-law and the Army came to some kind of agreement so that’s settled. Everyone, including little 1yo Seth, is getting used to his half body cast. And the new baby is getting all the attention it needs.
I’ve started trying to do lesson plans for this coming school year (for those that don’t know, I homeschool). Why start so early? 1) Because of my condition, I am frequently tired and can’t think straight, so I have to take advantage of the good days when they come along; and 2) we don’t have a lot of money to spend on curriculum, so what we “spend” is time – mine – to hunt down resources and design assignments on my own.
The RIGHT Course through Strength (7-1-07)
A Feather . . . might accomplish it . . . or a Trifle done in the right Spirit. - Diana Barnes
Sometimes it seems as though a decision truly hangs in the balance, with such equal values on both sides that the weight of the feather might tip it either way. "I was close to saying no - or yes - " we say, holding thumb and forefinger a few microns apart.
But that's probably not an accurate version of how we came to make our decision. That close may not be close at all, we knew all along what was appropriate. If we let ourselves be still and listen to our private inner voice, we usually know what's right for us to do.
If we find ourselves faced with a lot of decisions that seem only a feather's-weight apart, maybe we're not acting according to our ideas of what's right. It might be time to reappraise our values. If we're believing one way and acting another, it might be time to change either our behavior or our belief.
Any obstacles to knowing the right course of action are within me, and so is the right course.
Ladies, Ask Yourself:
· What decision hangs in the balance for me today?
There aren’t any. My husband and I make decisions as we become aware of situations and informed of our options.
·What is appropriate for finding a solution to making the proper decision?
I make decisions based on what I know, or feel, to be right. Love God, love my neighbor, love myself. If an option goes against one of those, it’s not a viable option for me. Less morally critical decisions are made as I gain information about my options, but I also listen to my gut instinct.
· What is my private inner voice saying to me?
Right now it’s saying, “Go to bed!” LOL
· Am I acting accorfing to my ideas of what's right?
I do mainly act according to what I think is right with God’s word as a measuring stick. But I have been know to, and probably will again, make decisions that I know are wrong decisions, bad decisions, but for some reason I am pulled to a result I will get from those unsavory options.
· Is it time for me to reappraise my values?
I constantly examine my inner thoughts and motives. Recently, I found myself thinking ugly thoughts about a certain type of people. My inner voice told me that was not how I was raised, that is not what God wants me to be thinking, and it made me unhappy to think that way. I was able to reverse that course before I began saying or doing things that were hurtful.
· Is it time to change either my behavior or my belief?
See above.
· Based on what you just read, what have you learned?
That we really don’t face many decisions where we are truly on the fence and not leaning one way or the other.
· Based on what you just read and replied, how will you apply this to your life?
I’ll pay attention to the decisions I make and I will continue to make them according to what is right/wrong, or what I feel is the best option.
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The Intimacy of Emotional Health (7-2-07)
When once estrangement has arisen between those who truly love each other, everything seems to widen the breach. - Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Intimacy is a bonding agent that softens our exteriors while it hushes the inner rumblings and creates a need for itself. None of us is spared that need. Having at least one another with whom we are intimate heals us, keeps us honest, and strengthens us for whatever lies ahead. When intimacy is absent from our lives, it's terribly easy to lose ourselves - to lose clarity about our identity, to lose confidence and self-assurance. And these losses contribute both to a strong need for intimacy once again, and to a heightened sense of the risk involved in being open and intimate.
Any time we break the intimate bond, we impede progress as growing, healthy persons. Mental and emotional health is directly proportionate to how close we allow another person to be to us.
My emotional health today is in my control. I'll let someone in.
Ladies, Ask Yourself:
· What does intimacy do for me?
It makes me feel cherished and worthy.
· When I intimacy is absent in my life, what do I lose?
I lose a sense of belonging; I have an emptiness that waits to be filled.
· What do my losses contribute to?
I then feel as if no one really cares, and I don’t really matter.
· When I break the Intimate bond, what do happens?
Someone gets hurt, both parties lose the sense of acceptance that they felt from the other person.
· Based on what you just read, what have you learned?
The need for intimacy cannot be avoided. One must be careful, when that need is strong, not to become intimate with a person who is not the right type for you.
· Based on what you just read and replied, how will you apply this to your life?
I will cherish and nurture the intimacy I have with the people in my life.
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