Reverse Gratitude

If we're trying to be humble, we probably don't want to be acknowledged for most of our accomplishments. Equally true is the fact that we still like recognition.  But what if you had to list those things that people thank you for?  And what if you had to publicly write about those top areas that people keep recognizing in you with praise? Then you may be blogging, like I am right now.  It's an exercise in greater self awareness if you have never done it.

What we like to do can quite often be different than what others think we like. But to give attention to what others are expressing gratitude towards in you can help you see something that you may have not noticed before.  People can see things in us that we would normally miss.  Being aware of them can aid in discovering something about our destiny.  Our identity--and what we enjoy doing--is a key to walking in our purpose. Paying attention to the gratitude related to what others see us doing successfully will give us pointers to our identity and thus destiny.

Here is an example.  People have noticed my desire to serve.  It's an innate willingness to try to meet peoples needs.  Serving others gives me satisfaction. When I humbly accept this attribute for which others seem to thank me for I find fulfillment. What I'm learning is that the sooner I embrace this part of my makeup, the sooner I'm capable of fulfilling Gods purposes and destiny for my life.  Because who we are and what we enjoy doing are intricately linked to our destiny.

Another aspect for which people have thanked me is my teachings.  I'm not that great at it but perhaps some enthusiasm with which I do it conveys something that allows others to learn.  Hence, this blog, which allows me to share what I'm learning, hopefully combining a willingness to serve and instructions for others.  

What has others shown thanks to you for things you just normally do? Is it something for which you see as a significant part of your modus operandi? 

Urgency "Madness" Sandwich of Activity

Not all things that are broken get the attention that is needed.  It depends on the degree of brokenness and the urgency of the issue. And how many times have we heard of someone dismissing what they thought was a small issue for it to become a much bigger and costly one later?  It's been said that time is the currency with which our life is running (and we exchange time for money).  Those things in our life that have the most time urgency get the most attention on the calendar. How much urgency, and in some cases emergency, is attached to a specific item, whether a concrete action or abstract thought, determines how quickly it is realized.  If I accidentally fall off the ladder and break my leg while cleaning out the gutters, my attention towards the leaves is immediately disregarded to address the more urgent and painful limb. Urgency dictates our intentions and actions, and thus our use of time.  In my example, disregarding the leaves was the priority so that there wasn't a permanent leaving of bone to bone. The more urgent a task becomes the sooner it becomes accomplished.  

In our use of time we need to give attention to the appropriate urgency.  I'm also learning that we must consider emotions so that a specific and healthy response is taken.  Not all emotional responses are good. But if it helps in overcoming inactivity then consider it good.  An impression without expression can lead to depression (inactivity or passivity). We want to use our time well, so as not to be run by the tyranny of the urgent nor fall into passivity because we aren't listening to our emotions. Let me give a personal example.

I can get pretty upset over things that are broken--like an injured body part or damaged car.  I could be mad because I want things to work just right, in a perfectionistic and superficial way, which I admit.  But there is a higher motivational response that is triggered from heaven that I'm also echoing.  God created everthing well. And when he was done with creation he called it good.  When creation and all that is within is operating the way its design, it is good. This is what God likes and I like it too.  When things don't work the way that God intended, it's okay to be upset and even mad.  We usually get mad over things that aren't right.  I'm learning how to convert my negative reactions to superfluous brokenness and turn it into a positive emotion of anger towards injustice and lack of health in people's bodies to stir me in more fervent prayers. 

Emotions can help us to identity what things upon which to personally respond and take proper action.  There are lessons for us on how to be stewards of all emotions, even anger, so that we can have right responses that imitate God's heart and will in all situations.

So if you have been tracking with me, we are learning to live our life by the urgency of the hour and avoid the tyranny of the urgent.  We are also learning to use the healthy emotions of our soul to provide motivational and actual steps of activity.  What are the usual urgent tasks in your life that either yield greater or less fruitfulness? What do you often get mad over and could that be an indicator towards how you should use your time?  What other ingredients would you add to this productivity sandwich? What items aid ones ability to make good use of time?

Re-posting as in starting again

What if you don't plan to make a change from the original plan, what happens? What if you accomplish your goals but don't set new ones? I ended up in a rut. I pretty good rut--flying a regional jet--but not really my dream job. For most heading towards an airline career, a regional job is the entry level and the pay shows it.  Since I didn't make a concrete plan to change I ended up much longer at this position than I expected--maybe two or three years longer.  

So here I am at my blog site again--many years later--with the hopes that this will be the beginning to finding a new career job that brings me home every night. I'm not sure how blogging is going to do that, but I'm taking the first steps.

If you have somehow found this and even read it, congratulations.  I'm going to attempt to write more frequently. If there is a subject that interest you, I'm taking suggestions. Until then you'll get something like you just read--my digressions. 

Here's to new and fresh starts!