My Dad has a nickname for me; it's busy-bee. You see, I'm good at staying busy. Busy-ness is not the same thing as being productive, and when it comes down to it, it simply isn't healthy. It creates this unbalance in my life and it's taking its toll on me. For the last several weeks I have been running from one thing to the next and when I do have a free moment at home I'm spending my time looking at time-wasting things online (facebook or blogs, anyone?). Instead of feeling truly connected with people I'm left feeling overwhelmed.
I wonder how much of this is attributed to our non-stop American culture that says to get ahead or fit it all in you can only sleep 5.5 hours per night because you simply have too much going on in your life for anything more. When I was working two jobs working very hard to make a goal happen it was a luxury to sleep more than 6 hours a night. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Thankfully, that part of my life is behind me (hopefully forever). When I was in Africa last year it struck me that I liked being so disconnected from constant technology and was able to live more simply.
I'm being gently nudged that the time to rest has come. And, as much as I have been kicking and screaming to avoid this from happening it has come to the point where nothing sounds better than a vacation from the busy-ness of my every day life. Who wants to live with that thought?
I've been contemplating giving up facebook during Lent as a way to free up some time and let go of the hold that it has over me. Just in writing these words I've decided that my actions need to go a step further to address the actual problem instead of a symptom. I'm not entirely sure what that will look like, but I think it is time for me to release some things I've been holding onto. After all, someone once said that you can't receive anything new from God until you're holding out empty hands for God to fill them.
Here, God, are my empty hands for only you to fill.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Update on #21: Train Whisper. Oy.
This is more of an update to the "Oy" part than the "train Whisper" bit.
I'm frustrated. Really the only one to blame is myself, but it's been a frustrating weekend with Whisper. I dearly love the little guy and the sentiment that I keep saying to him is, "it's a good thing you're so cute" but the cuteness factor is losing its luster. It's time to make some changes and follow through on what I've been saying for awhile now. He needs more play time than I can give him right now since it gets dark so early still. He needs some discipline and I need lots of help in setting up those boundaries and help with the follow through.
He pulls on his leash while going for a walk. He chews on everything. Seriously. He would put Tigger to shame with the bouncing. He's taken to barking frequently, and loudly. Generally, it's all part of having a puppy, but at some point he's got to grow up and that time, my friends, has arrived.
He doesn't know what he's in for (insert evil laugh).
By the end of February:
*Whisper will be joining Puppy Camp (doggy day care) for at least one day a week until Spring hits and we can get to the dog park during the week and more frequently.
*Whisper and I will be participating in some sort of structured training.
Oh, and while we're at it, let's do a quick rundown of Whisper related numbers:
3: number of people he has made bleed from "playing"
11: number of times he has pooped inside (most of this happened when I was sick and could barely function, let alone take a dog outside for extended periods of time)
6: number of leashes that have been chewed through
2: number of baseboards chewed
6: number pairs of ruined shoes
3: number pairs of gloves chewed
It doesn't end there, but for my sanity I should stop.
Donations accepted. Please make checks payable to me with "whisper fund" in the memo line.
p.s. I know you can't tell from this post, but I actually love the little guy. *sigh* Reminds me of Marley and Me and their "clearance puppy".
I'm frustrated. Really the only one to blame is myself, but it's been a frustrating weekend with Whisper. I dearly love the little guy and the sentiment that I keep saying to him is, "it's a good thing you're so cute" but the cuteness factor is losing its luster. It's time to make some changes and follow through on what I've been saying for awhile now. He needs more play time than I can give him right now since it gets dark so early still. He needs some discipline and I need lots of help in setting up those boundaries and help with the follow through.
He pulls on his leash while going for a walk. He chews on everything. Seriously. He would put Tigger to shame with the bouncing. He's taken to barking frequently, and loudly. Generally, it's all part of having a puppy, but at some point he's got to grow up and that time, my friends, has arrived.
He doesn't know what he's in for (insert evil laugh).
By the end of February:
*Whisper will be joining Puppy Camp (doggy day care) for at least one day a week until Spring hits and we can get to the dog park during the week and more frequently.
*Whisper and I will be participating in some sort of structured training.
Oh, and while we're at it, let's do a quick rundown of Whisper related numbers:
3: number of people he has made bleed from "playing"
11: number of times he has pooped inside (most of this happened when I was sick and could barely function, let alone take a dog outside for extended periods of time)
6: number of leashes that have been chewed through
2: number of baseboards chewed
6: number pairs of ruined shoes
3: number pairs of gloves chewed
It doesn't end there, but for my sanity I should stop.
Donations accepted. Please make checks payable to me with "whisper fund" in the memo line.
p.s. I know you can't tell from this post, but I actually love the little guy. *sigh* Reminds me of Marley and Me and their "clearance puppy".
Saturday, January 15, 2011
30 before 30
It's no secret that I heart lists. I've been cultivating my "Life List" for the last month or so, whenever I have time to think about it. This morning I came across a blog post of "30 before 30". It's pretty self explanatory, but the idea is to compile a list of 30 things to do before you turn 30 years old. I've got about six months until my 30th birthday, so I'm gonna give it a shot. It's actually making me re-think my Life List. I may ditch that and continue an annual birthday list (31 before 31, 32 before 32, and so on).
This list is pretty ambitious, but here goes:
1. Take a spontaneous road trip.
2. Pass the Series 7 Exam.
3. Lose 30 additional pounds. (my goal is actually higher than this, but 30 is more realistic and it goes with the theme.)
4. Grow some of my own food. I'm hoping to join a CSA this year, but we'll see. Anyone interested in sharing a CSA share?
5. Splurge on myself by buying something solely because I love it.
6. Host a game night.
7. Learn to bake bread from scratch.
8. Take some modeling photos; This isn't because I want to be a model, but b/c I think it will push me out of my comfort zone.
9. Go on a hike. I actually kind of dig hiking, but I haven't done it much. Here's to more hiking in 2011!
10. Go on a blind date. I've never been on a blind date and while the thought is somewhat frightening, it is also a little exciting. Alright, friends, I guess I need your help on this one...be nice to me.
11. Invest in creating community. This is ongoing, but it's worth a slot on the list.
12. Put pen to paper and express my love for someone. Mail the letter. One of my goals of my life has always been to make sure that the people I love never have to question that I love them. I want to express that love in both words and actions, and often.
13. Be kind to someone that has caused me pain.
14. Grow in my forgiveness of x.
15. Take my nieces and nephew somewhere fun.
16. Commit to reading my Bible often. I'm contemplating the idea of a "read through the Bible in a year" type of thing.
17. Volunteer with an organization that I care about.
18. Create tree painting for my living room.
19. Take a dance class. I've secretly always wanted to be a great dancer. I'm not very graceful and my rhythm could use a little (a lot of) help. I can't believe I'm actually admitting this right now. 2011 is my year to be bold.
20. Cook an entire "from scratch" dinner.
21. Train Whisper. Oy.
22. Blog at least once a month.
23. Enjoy the sunrise over the Ohio, or somewhere more glamorous.
24. Travel somewhere new.
25. Jog a mile. I don't care how long it takes at this point, I just want to be able to do it without dying.
26. Finish CD gift for my brothers that I started a long time ago.
27. Use the envelope system again.
28. Change the Game. Live it.
29. Get a tattoo. Maybe. I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to pain.
30. Celebrate my 30th birthday. Enjoy it. Live it out.
I'm really glad I took the time to make this list. It took some restraint to not copy some cool things that other bloggers wrote, but I think this list is very authentic to who I am or at least the person I am growing into. The list is also indicative of some of the things I am currently pursuing. Things like facing fear, living with boldness, growing in confidence, pursuing forgiveness, creating community, loving people, and loving the life God has given me.
Over the next six months I'll update the list and maybe even expand on a few of the more ambiguous ones. Here's me giving you permission to hold me accountable. This is gonna be a great end to my twenties!!!
This list is pretty ambitious, but here goes:
1. Take a spontaneous road trip.
2. Pass the Series 7 Exam.
3. Lose 30 additional pounds. (my goal is actually higher than this, but 30 is more realistic and it goes with the theme.)
4. Grow some of my own food. I'm hoping to join a CSA this year, but we'll see. Anyone interested in sharing a CSA share?
5. Splurge on myself by buying something solely because I love it.
6. Host a game night.
7. Learn to bake bread from scratch.
8. Take some modeling photos; This isn't because I want to be a model, but b/c I think it will push me out of my comfort zone.
9. Go on a hike. I actually kind of dig hiking, but I haven't done it much. Here's to more hiking in 2011!
10. Go on a blind date. I've never been on a blind date and while the thought is somewhat frightening, it is also a little exciting. Alright, friends, I guess I need your help on this one...be nice to me.
11. Invest in creating community. This is ongoing, but it's worth a slot on the list.
12. Put pen to paper and express my love for someone. Mail the letter. One of my goals of my life has always been to make sure that the people I love never have to question that I love them. I want to express that love in both words and actions, and often.
13. Be kind to someone that has caused me pain.
14. Grow in my forgiveness of x.
15. Take my nieces and nephew somewhere fun.
16. Commit to reading my Bible often. I'm contemplating the idea of a "read through the Bible in a year" type of thing.
17. Volunteer with an organization that I care about.
18. Create tree painting for my living room.
19. Take a dance class. I've secretly always wanted to be a great dancer. I'm not very graceful and my rhythm could use a little (a lot of) help. I can't believe I'm actually admitting this right now. 2011 is my year to be bold.
20. Cook an entire "from scratch" dinner.
21. Train Whisper. Oy.
22. Blog at least once a month.
23. Enjoy the sunrise over the Ohio, or somewhere more glamorous.
24. Travel somewhere new.
25. Jog a mile. I don't care how long it takes at this point, I just want to be able to do it without dying.
26. Finish CD gift for my brothers that I started a long time ago.
27. Use the envelope system again.
28. Change the Game. Live it.
29. Get a tattoo. Maybe. I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to pain.
30. Celebrate my 30th birthday. Enjoy it. Live it out.
I'm really glad I took the time to make this list. It took some restraint to not copy some cool things that other bloggers wrote, but I think this list is very authentic to who I am or at least the person I am growing into. The list is also indicative of some of the things I am currently pursuing. Things like facing fear, living with boldness, growing in confidence, pursuing forgiveness, creating community, loving people, and loving the life God has given me.
Over the next six months I'll update the list and maybe even expand on a few of the more ambiguous ones. Here's me giving you permission to hold me accountable. This is gonna be a great end to my twenties!!!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saying it out loud...
While we were in Mamelodi my friend Devon was relaying a story to me about a woman and a dream that she had that included doing something radical and new in her life. She told her friend to continue to say it out loud and tell people about it because that would make it more real, more attainable, less scary. Okay, so some of those might not have been her words exactly, but they were the words I took away from her story and what is incredibly relevant right now.
It’s been just over three months since I’ve been back from Mamelodi. If you’re looking from the outside you might not notice much has changed in my life, but I can tell you that it’s been a bit of a whirlwind and I’m on the cusp of some very big changes. I’m excited. I’m terrified. I’m hopeful. I’m uncertain. God’s bigger than all my hopes and He’s certainly bigger than all my fears.
Through the course of a conversation with a friend I blurted out that I would be doing missions full time if money didn't matter (and other fears didn't hold me back). I say blurted out because that is essentially what happened. It's the first time I ever admitted to myself or to anyone else verbally what I think I've been desiring for probably the better part of the last ten years. My immediate reaction was both emotionally and spiritually freeing. I had been holding this in for so long, not even fully aware because I had put so many other things in the way of this that I didn't think it was even possible.
The next step, as far as I can see right now, is to start doing some volunteering while looking for opportunities in the non-profit world. Ideally, I'd love to work with World Vision or CARE or similar organization, especially those that partner with Africa.
There's a lot more to this story, but I wanted to go ahead and say it all out loud and then I'll come back and fill in on all the details.
God's shaking up my world and when I surrender to what He has in store I find that it is exhilarating and even better than I could have imagined.
It’s been just over three months since I’ve been back from Mamelodi. If you’re looking from the outside you might not notice much has changed in my life, but I can tell you that it’s been a bit of a whirlwind and I’m on the cusp of some very big changes. I’m excited. I’m terrified. I’m hopeful. I’m uncertain. God’s bigger than all my hopes and He’s certainly bigger than all my fears.
Through the course of a conversation with a friend I blurted out that I would be doing missions full time if money didn't matter (and other fears didn't hold me back). I say blurted out because that is essentially what happened. It's the first time I ever admitted to myself or to anyone else verbally what I think I've been desiring for probably the better part of the last ten years. My immediate reaction was both emotionally and spiritually freeing. I had been holding this in for so long, not even fully aware because I had put so many other things in the way of this that I didn't think it was even possible.
The next step, as far as I can see right now, is to start doing some volunteering while looking for opportunities in the non-profit world. Ideally, I'd love to work with World Vision or CARE or similar organization, especially those that partner with Africa.
There's a lot more to this story, but I wanted to go ahead and say it all out loud and then I'll come back and fill in on all the details.
God's shaking up my world and when I surrender to what He has in store I find that it is exhilarating and even better than I could have imagined.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Whirlwind
It's been three and a half months since I've returned from Mamelodi and I can tell you that it has been a whirlwind since that time. LOTS of things are happening in my life and honestly if I sit and think about the possibilities that are opening up for me I get really excited.
This is just a short little note to tell you that there is more to come and that I will be updating more frequently in the coming months. So, check back often. I promise to have a post up within the next week!
Dream Big!
This is just a short little note to tell you that there is more to come and that I will be updating more frequently in the coming months. So, check back often. I promise to have a post up within the next week!
Dream Big!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Dumela!
Hello from Mamelodi! Words are not coming quickly because the experience has been somewhat of a rollercoaster of emotions. God is good and I am blessed. I wanted to let you all know that I am safe and well and cannot believe some of the things I've seen and experienced.
The South African people have welcomed us with open arms and are teaching us many things. These people have faith that can move mountains; they are prayer warriors, relying on God for their livlihood.
Momma, I'm dancing! (I got your message last night and it made me cry. I love you.)
I hope to share more stories and experiences when I have more time. Thankfully, I'm getting ready to go take a nice hot shower to wash all the dirt off.
much love to each of you. keep praying!
p.s. happy late birthday, Scottie man...I didn't forget your birthday; I sent many well wishes your way.
The South African people have welcomed us with open arms and are teaching us many things. These people have faith that can move mountains; they are prayer warriors, relying on God for their livlihood.
Momma, I'm dancing! (I got your message last night and it made me cry. I love you.)
I hope to share more stories and experiences when I have more time. Thankfully, I'm getting ready to go take a nice hot shower to wash all the dirt off.
much love to each of you. keep praying!
p.s. happy late birthday, Scottie man...I didn't forget your birthday; I sent many well wishes your way.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
in mere hours...
...I'll be on a plane to Africa. I can hardly believe it. It's been weird saying goodbye to everyone; it seems surreal that I'm leaving. I'll make this post brief since I still have some last minute packing to do.
Jump over to the crossroads blog to keep up to date on the happenings in Mamelodi as they are happening.
I'll post some stories and photos when I return!
much love and joy!!!
~dana
Jump over to the crossroads blog to keep up to date on the happenings in Mamelodi as they are happening.
I'll post some stories and photos when I return!
much love and joy!!!
~dana
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