Destiny. Anthony Robbins touts about his "blind date with Destiny". We all are pursuing it, actively or passively. What is "my" destiny? How will I find it? Does God have it written out for me? Is it in pieces like a puzzle in front of me waiting for me to put all the edges together first and then fill in the middle?
My eyes and heart scan the horizon for stories of Destiny. How did other women find theirs or essentially carve theirs out of life like a stone David . . .
And I find the story of Jane Goodall. The woman who single-handedly set the scientific community in an uproar over discoveries in the monkey community and whose name will go down in history as the woman who lived among them. Did she know at the start that would be her legacy, her destiny? I think not. She just knew she liked monkeys. That was all.
A young Jane Goodall went into the jungles of the Gombe Stream Game Reserve with basically no education to speak of, not even an undergraduate degree. She just wanted to watch monkeys.
As she observed she found "Greybeard" - the old chimp that opened her eyes to the depth of the monkey connection. From him she learned insights, patterns and habits that would put in question previous understanding. Greybeard changed paradyms in Jane's mind, as well as the paradyms in science and history. What she thought she knew, what the scientific community thought they knew, was about to change forever.
And thus is the pattern. A desire, a "like" an attraction, a "love" draws us to a new place. In that new place we find teachers and lessons that change us. And that learning, that changing, is our destiny.
What are you being drawn to? What new unconquered terrain are you compelled to explore? And who are the teachers around you? Are your paradyms shifting? Is your thinking being challenged?
Your destiny requires you to move out of your comfort zone and learn and change.
The root being love - because love draws us out. It compels us to stretch.
Great women of destiny have been drawn out for love - Ruth Hadler in her creation of Barbie, Princess Diana in her love of those sick with AIDS, Mother Teresa in her compassion for the dying, "Daisy" Low who founded the Girl Scouts of America in her encouragement of teenage girls discovering the great outdoors....each a destiny which drew them out for love.
A blind date with destiny doesn't have to be so blind. The heart sees it clearly. Follow love and your destiny will follow.
All Jane knew was she loved monkeys.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Hmmm...Paris. One more item on my life list - check. Never thought I could ever go back. Beautiful. Magical.
This song brings muted images in black and white . . . it's been 20 years and still the thought of the Eiffel Tower in the back drop, the bridges, the culture, the taste . . .
Here's the link to Benton Paul's song "Paris" . . . feel the cobblestones . . . homesick for a black and white life - and an understanding for the shades of gray.
http://www.myspace.com/bentonpaul
There comes a time for everyone
To find a place where they belong
Feeling alone out on the ocean
Yours and mine are different yet the same
Go out, come back again
Harboring most of the emotion
Quand tu arrives a Paris
(when you arrive in Paris)
Tu ne veux pas partir
(you won't want to leave)
Quand tu arrives a Paris
(when you arrive in Paris)
Tu ne peux que sentir
(you can't help but feel)
L’amour, la joie
(love, joy)
Tu veux jamais rentrer
(you won't ever want to go home)
L’amour, la joie
(love, joy)
Tu veux jamais rentrer chez-toi
(you won't ever want to go home)
You climb aboard and sail away
Beyond the stars of everyday
Searching for some clear direction
The shore gets closer everyday
The clouds begin to fade
The compass reveals your destination
Quand tu arrives a Paris
(when you arrive in Paris)
Tu ne veux pas partir
(you won't want to leave)
Quand tu arrives a Paris
(when you arrive in Paris)
Tu ne peux que sentir
(you can't help but feel)
L’amour, la joie
(love, joy)
Tu veux jamais rentrer
(you won't ever want to go home)
L’amour, la joie
(love, joy)
Tu veux jamais rentrer chez-toi
(you won't ever want to go home)
Beautiful. Magical.
Homesick in black and white.
This song brings muted images in black and white . . . it's been 20 years and still the thought of the Eiffel Tower in the back drop, the bridges, the culture, the taste . . .
Here's the link to Benton Paul's song "Paris" . . . feel the cobblestones . . . homesick for a black and white life - and an understanding for the shades of gray.
http://www.myspace.com/bentonpaul
There comes a time for everyone
To find a place where they belong
Feeling alone out on the ocean
Yours and mine are different yet the same
Go out, come back again
Harboring most of the emotion
Quand tu arrives a Paris
(when you arrive in Paris)
Tu ne veux pas partir
(you won't want to leave)
Quand tu arrives a Paris
(when you arrive in Paris)
Tu ne peux que sentir
(you can't help but feel)
L’amour, la joie
(love, joy)
Tu veux jamais rentrer
(you won't ever want to go home)
L’amour, la joie
(love, joy)
Tu veux jamais rentrer chez-toi
(you won't ever want to go home)
You climb aboard and sail away
Beyond the stars of everyday
Searching for some clear direction
The shore gets closer everyday
The clouds begin to fade
The compass reveals your destination
Quand tu arrives a Paris
(when you arrive in Paris)
Tu ne veux pas partir
(you won't want to leave)
Quand tu arrives a Paris
(when you arrive in Paris)
Tu ne peux que sentir
(you can't help but feel)
L’amour, la joie
(love, joy)
Tu veux jamais rentrer
(you won't ever want to go home)
L’amour, la joie
(love, joy)
Tu veux jamais rentrer chez-toi
(you won't ever want to go home)
Beautiful. Magical.
Homesick in black and white.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Reverse Psychology - Run The Other Way
Run the other way. I'm learning I say that to myself.
There is such a tendency to pick up your bat and ball and go home. It's natural. We get our feelings hurt. We feel discouraged. We want to give up.
And wow. Isn't that our ultimate demise in achieving any great pursuit? Giving up or giving out robs us of victory.
Sometimes we see our losses and close our hearts. "I don't want another puppy" as we bow our heads and decide love and dreams will never grow where despair and hurt reside. It's too heavy. It's too hard.
Yet, when we fall to our knees and unpack those bags of hurt and pain and loss at the feet of Jesus . . . what consistantly happens is from behind His white robe He extends a warm hand, holding a newborn fluffy yellow chick. A new dream. A dream that needs us. A dream with a future.
And He asks us to stay and nourture it and love and grow . . . and He trades our filthy rags and clutter for that baby chick.
And we don't want to run anymore. We want to participate and be needed and make a difference.
God has an irresistable influence in our lives by the way He changes us when we want to run away. Running is OUR nature. HIS nature is the opposite - He draws us out by our bigger desire . . . to be used in the hand of God.
Wanting to run away in your life?
Hold out your hand.
God gave me a little yellow peeping fluffy chick to give you . . . smile. God knows you. And He knows in your heart you don't want to run. You want to stay. You want to love. You want to grow. You want to be amazing. It's as easy as holding your dreams as sweetly as you would this little baby chick.
There is such a tendency to pick up your bat and ball and go home. It's natural. We get our feelings hurt. We feel discouraged. We want to give up.
And wow. Isn't that our ultimate demise in achieving any great pursuit? Giving up or giving out robs us of victory.
Sometimes we see our losses and close our hearts. "I don't want another puppy" as we bow our heads and decide love and dreams will never grow where despair and hurt reside. It's too heavy. It's too hard.
Yet, when we fall to our knees and unpack those bags of hurt and pain and loss at the feet of Jesus . . . what consistantly happens is from behind His white robe He extends a warm hand, holding a newborn fluffy yellow chick. A new dream. A dream that needs us. A dream with a future.
And He asks us to stay and nourture it and love and grow . . . and He trades our filthy rags and clutter for that baby chick.
And we don't want to run anymore. We want to participate and be needed and make a difference.
God has an irresistable influence in our lives by the way He changes us when we want to run away. Running is OUR nature. HIS nature is the opposite - He draws us out by our bigger desire . . . to be used in the hand of God.
Wanting to run away in your life?
Hold out your hand.
God gave me a little yellow peeping fluffy chick to give you . . . smile. God knows you. And He knows in your heart you don't want to run. You want to stay. You want to love. You want to grow. You want to be amazing. It's as easy as holding your dreams as sweetly as you would this little baby chick.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Peace-Loving in the City
At night I love to open the blinds to my master bedroom window and fall asleep watching the lights of the city twinkling on the horizon. It is a peaceful feeling that is comforting in a way I can't quite explain.
In my bible time I came across a story in which a specific phrase keeps echoing in my mind. Here is the setting:
2 Samuel 20:14-22 Sheba was an evil wanted man. He escaped to a city called Abel and hid himself among the people there. Joab and his army was searching for Sheba. Recognizing that in their pursuit of Sheba, the entire city of Abel could be destroyed, a woman of wisdom came to the wall of the city and had a very straitforward conversation with Joab. "I am one who is peaceloving in this city. Why do you want to destroy us?" (paraphrasing)
To which Joab replied "I do not want to destroy your city. I only want Sheba."
The story concludes with the woman and her fellow citizens giving Joab what he needed and peace in the city was maintained.
In our relationships we often become defensive and build walls. We can feel threatened and frustrated when we feel attacked. This is normal.
What shows wisdom however is when we say what we need concisely, and find out what the Other needs. How can we maintain our city, our boundaries, our sovereignty, and also give the Other what they need? Is there a way to do both? Many times both parties are looking for resolve and peace.
Ponder the statement of that wise woman . . . "I am one who is peaceloving . . . " If your goal is to be at peace, grow peace, flourish in it, and nourture peace . . . stand in that place firmly and listen.
That is powerful holy ground. Find it.
Before I close my eyes tonight I will open my blinds and God and I are going to have a conversation. As I drift away in the glimmer of twinkling lights, my heart will be asked, "have you been peaceloving?"
God bless me to be that person today -
In my bible time I came across a story in which a specific phrase keeps echoing in my mind. Here is the setting:
2 Samuel 20:14-22 Sheba was an evil wanted man. He escaped to a city called Abel and hid himself among the people there. Joab and his army was searching for Sheba. Recognizing that in their pursuit of Sheba, the entire city of Abel could be destroyed, a woman of wisdom came to the wall of the city and had a very straitforward conversation with Joab. "I am one who is peaceloving in this city. Why do you want to destroy us?" (paraphrasing)
To which Joab replied "I do not want to destroy your city. I only want Sheba."
The story concludes with the woman and her fellow citizens giving Joab what he needed and peace in the city was maintained.
In our relationships we often become defensive and build walls. We can feel threatened and frustrated when we feel attacked. This is normal.
What shows wisdom however is when we say what we need concisely, and find out what the Other needs. How can we maintain our city, our boundaries, our sovereignty, and also give the Other what they need? Is there a way to do both? Many times both parties are looking for resolve and peace.
Ponder the statement of that wise woman . . . "I am one who is peaceloving . . . " If your goal is to be at peace, grow peace, flourish in it, and nourture peace . . . stand in that place firmly and listen.
That is powerful holy ground. Find it.
Before I close my eyes tonight I will open my blinds and God and I are going to have a conversation. As I drift away in the glimmer of twinkling lights, my heart will be asked, "have you been peaceloving?"
God bless me to be that person today -
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Sky Is Falling
Our family went to Lake Powell for a few days last week. The weather was amazing and the water was perfect. We squealed as we tubed the lake, sweated as we hiked the incredible red rocks, and enjoyed friends and random silliness. We camped our tents a 20-minute boat ride from the marina and soaked up the scenery completely.
I'll never forget being awaken during the night by boulders pulling away from their settings and crumbling to new places. In all of my trips to Lake Powell I'd never experienced that. The thundering echoed like the cracking of a bowling ball into pin after pin - only louder - shaking the ground. In the dark we could not see the boulders cracking and tumbling but the reality left us all speechless. We were not in danger's way . . . but as the waves of breaking rock echoed, we all had a sense of awe and smallness. That night the landscape changed.
This morning I received a text from my daughter that a dear friend had passed away in the night. As well, the news reported that a handfull of homes had been lost to a tragic wildfire just cities away from ours. And on facebook I sadly noted two police officers were killed in their vehicles as they sped to help others. The landscape has changed forever overnight for many families.
To realize we are simply visitors here, that we are surrounded by forces we do not control, and that the landscape is always changing, ebbing, flowing, building and falling . . . it is powerful.
What is my part God? What DO I control?
We control relationships. That is all. We get to choose who we love and how we love on this journey. We affirm our character and our humanity by the way we reach out and encourage, bless, and carry those who suffer when the landscape does change.
Today the landscape is forever changed for someone. Be there.
It's all part of the big picture. In reality, that IS the big picture.
I'll never forget being awaken during the night by boulders pulling away from their settings and crumbling to new places. In all of my trips to Lake Powell I'd never experienced that. The thundering echoed like the cracking of a bowling ball into pin after pin - only louder - shaking the ground. In the dark we could not see the boulders cracking and tumbling but the reality left us all speechless. We were not in danger's way . . . but as the waves of breaking rock echoed, we all had a sense of awe and smallness. That night the landscape changed.
This morning I received a text from my daughter that a dear friend had passed away in the night. As well, the news reported that a handfull of homes had been lost to a tragic wildfire just cities away from ours. And on facebook I sadly noted two police officers were killed in their vehicles as they sped to help others. The landscape has changed forever overnight for many families.
To realize we are simply visitors here, that we are surrounded by forces we do not control, and that the landscape is always changing, ebbing, flowing, building and falling . . . it is powerful.
What is my part God? What DO I control?
We control relationships. That is all. We get to choose who we love and how we love on this journey. We affirm our character and our humanity by the way we reach out and encourage, bless, and carry those who suffer when the landscape does change.
Today the landscape is forever changed for someone. Be there.
It's all part of the big picture. In reality, that IS the big picture.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Rocks Float
There are seasons in our lives when it seems our BIGGEST personal demons surface and shout in our faces - it's as if the skeletons in that dark corner closet come out and demand to be addressed. They taunt us, tempt us, insult us and scare us . . . reminding us in the most venomous ways that we've failed before. They want us to fail again and speak so convicingly that we will always be bound by them.
These could be money failures, relationship failures, sins, self-destructive habits, secret passions, anger issues, or trust issues. At certain seasons even a combination of these smack us with a 1-2 punch and we feel down for the count. Even though we want success, when these issues come to the surface so big, so loud, so obvious . . . we can't help but doubt our own strength against them.
My friend Kirk Weisler, a motivational speaker and phenomenal story-teller, told me a principle that has made all the difference. He told me about a truth that occurs in nature that baffles - until you understand the reality behind it.
"Rocks float." That's what Kirk told me. "Yeh, they do! It's the craziest thing! You wouldn't think so, but they do. You see, when smaller pieces of dirt, sand, small pebbles shift with the movements of the earth, they settle in and the larger size rocks move up. The boulders are not really floating, but they are moved out by the settling . . . the layers settle and the rocks at the top become visible."
That understanding has helped me greatly when I feel barraged by "issues" that surface in my life. As I sit in my bible/prayer time with God, I realize large boulder size issues come to the surface when I am making progress, when there is movement and transition - good transition and growth in my life. WHEN I am at a pivitol point in my life or my career and WHEN I am about to see UNPRECEDENTED success emotionally and spiritually, that settling brings the rocks, the boulders, the big demons, the unfinished business, the personal dragons, straight to the top.
I get to choose what I will then do with them.
In the past I have often chosen to burry those big boulders again - deep down so I don't have to do the emotional work and drag them off my property. But I've found if I don't deal with the boulders they just find another time to pop up in my face.
I'm learning I must push and hoist and heave and sweat and get rid of the big rocks.
I want my life to grow more than just boulders. I want to sleep at night with no demons, no secrets, no addictions, no cracks in my integrity, no fear.
So let the rocks float.
And God give me the courage to see them for what they are.
Proof that I am settling. Proof that I am growing. Proof that they give me the opportunity to be more than I ever was before.
If I rely on THE Rock...the one true keeper of the vineyard...the one who wants to grow abundance in my life...and the one who knows my burdens better than anyone. The only one who can help me move those heavy boulders forever.
Jesus.
Who's helping you with your big rocks?
These could be money failures, relationship failures, sins, self-destructive habits, secret passions, anger issues, or trust issues. At certain seasons even a combination of these smack us with a 1-2 punch and we feel down for the count. Even though we want success, when these issues come to the surface so big, so loud, so obvious . . . we can't help but doubt our own strength against them.
My friend Kirk Weisler, a motivational speaker and phenomenal story-teller, told me a principle that has made all the difference. He told me about a truth that occurs in nature that baffles - until you understand the reality behind it.
"Rocks float." That's what Kirk told me. "Yeh, they do! It's the craziest thing! You wouldn't think so, but they do. You see, when smaller pieces of dirt, sand, small pebbles shift with the movements of the earth, they settle in and the larger size rocks move up. The boulders are not really floating, but they are moved out by the settling . . . the layers settle and the rocks at the top become visible."
That understanding has helped me greatly when I feel barraged by "issues" that surface in my life. As I sit in my bible/prayer time with God, I realize large boulder size issues come to the surface when I am making progress, when there is movement and transition - good transition and growth in my life. WHEN I am at a pivitol point in my life or my career and WHEN I am about to see UNPRECEDENTED success emotionally and spiritually, that settling brings the rocks, the boulders, the big demons, the unfinished business, the personal dragons, straight to the top.
I get to choose what I will then do with them.
In the past I have often chosen to burry those big boulders again - deep down so I don't have to do the emotional work and drag them off my property. But I've found if I don't deal with the boulders they just find another time to pop up in my face.
I'm learning I must push and hoist and heave and sweat and get rid of the big rocks.
I want my life to grow more than just boulders. I want to sleep at night with no demons, no secrets, no addictions, no cracks in my integrity, no fear.
So let the rocks float.
And God give me the courage to see them for what they are.
Proof that I am settling. Proof that I am growing. Proof that they give me the opportunity to be more than I ever was before.
If I rely on THE Rock...the one true keeper of the vineyard...the one who wants to grow abundance in my life...and the one who knows my burdens better than anyone. The only one who can help me move those heavy boulders forever.
Jesus.
Who's helping you with your big rocks?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Know How YOU Learn
I've been bit by the fishing bug in the last couple of months. Yeh, hook line and . . . Barbie pole.
I bought it at Walmart - ok, it's not a "Barbie" brand fishing pole, but it is pink and it is for beginners. I bought it as a starter pole because the line is enclosed in a cute pink and silver ball, helping me avoid the problematic and frustrating rat's nest that I seemed to consistently create while borrowing Scott's more "advanced" open spooled reel.
That worked peachy for basic fishing. Now I want to grow in my level of fishing from the once-a-year fisher girl to the oh-yeh-she's-a-pro fisher girl. So, I bought an open spooled reel and we headed up to our favorite mountain lake.
It was bad. Very bad.
Within minutes I had twenty-two feet of tangled line. Then the confusion set in. Followed by the situational tourettes, the swearing, the getting frustrated, and the ensuing disgust at myself for spending the money on the new reel when I clearly could not do it.
And then the practicing. Casting for the 99th time. Then the 100th. Then 101st. And finally . . . ugh. I could do it.
I've never been a fast learner. I swear it takes me 101 times to get good at stuff.
But my learning always takes the same route:
Want something.
Take a leap and commit.
Get really confused.
Then get ticked off because I'm stuck.
Then I swear.
Then in frustration I usually lash out at the people around me.
And I keep trying.
And KEEP trying.
And tell myself over and over to KEEP trying.
And then I get it.
And then to a stranger it looks like it was easy for me.
Ya right.
I'm working on the NOT lashing out in frustration at the people around me as I learn things. And, I'm working on being more patient with myself as I struggle to learn.
But one thing that really helps me achieve my goals is to know HOW I learn and then with any given goal, understand where I am at in MY learning curve. Understanding me, understanding HOW I learn, and understanding that I CAN grow and achieve what I really really want . . . that is helpful AND empowering.
Friend, perhaps you need to map out YOUR learning pattern. Because right now you might just be one good cast from achieving your goal. I know you want to grow in your competencies at things. I know you want to feel successful. You'll never get there if you give up today. Just keep casting. 99. 100. 101.
Keep, keep, keep casting. Today just might be the day. And it's gonna feel so good to retire that pink Barbie pole. ; )
I bought it at Walmart - ok, it's not a "Barbie" brand fishing pole, but it is pink and it is for beginners. I bought it as a starter pole because the line is enclosed in a cute pink and silver ball, helping me avoid the problematic and frustrating rat's nest that I seemed to consistently create while borrowing Scott's more "advanced" open spooled reel.
That worked peachy for basic fishing. Now I want to grow in my level of fishing from the once-a-year fisher girl to the oh-yeh-she's-a-pro fisher girl. So, I bought an open spooled reel and we headed up to our favorite mountain lake.
It was bad. Very bad.
Within minutes I had twenty-two feet of tangled line. Then the confusion set in. Followed by the situational tourettes, the swearing, the getting frustrated, and the ensuing disgust at myself for spending the money on the new reel when I clearly could not do it.
And then the practicing. Casting for the 99th time. Then the 100th. Then 101st. And finally . . . ugh. I could do it.
I've never been a fast learner. I swear it takes me 101 times to get good at stuff.
But my learning always takes the same route:
Want something.
Take a leap and commit.
Get really confused.
Then get ticked off because I'm stuck.
Then I swear.
Then in frustration I usually lash out at the people around me.
And I keep trying.
And KEEP trying.
And tell myself over and over to KEEP trying.
And then I get it.
And then to a stranger it looks like it was easy for me.
Ya right.
I'm working on the NOT lashing out in frustration at the people around me as I learn things. And, I'm working on being more patient with myself as I struggle to learn.
But one thing that really helps me achieve my goals is to know HOW I learn and then with any given goal, understand where I am at in MY learning curve. Understanding me, understanding HOW I learn, and understanding that I CAN grow and achieve what I really really want . . . that is helpful AND empowering.
Friend, perhaps you need to map out YOUR learning pattern. Because right now you might just be one good cast from achieving your goal. I know you want to grow in your competencies at things. I know you want to feel successful. You'll never get there if you give up today. Just keep casting. 99. 100. 101.
Keep, keep, keep casting. Today just might be the day. And it's gonna feel so good to retire that pink Barbie pole. ; )
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