I stopped doing things that appeased my family when I went to college. New Problem: I started doing things with others in mind. That isn’t a problem some of the time…but it can become cumbersome when it’s ALL the time. The word teaches us to please God because pleasing man #1 isn’t possible and #2 isn’t the right focus (we are to please God). The biggest issue with recognizing this, is realizing HOW MUCH I still do it. To add salt to the wound…most of the people that get considered have a big stamp across their character that reads: TEMPORARY. ::insert shaking head here::
This would be an easy problem to fix if I didn’t realize that when I do get married (date unknown at the present time) my priority after God will be my husband. So temporarily turn off this “issue” and suspend with temperance until after name change? Right? Any married or soon to be married ladies want to chime in on this?
To add to that…it’s not limited to romantic interests. My family (again), friends, business partners, mentors, I want everyone to be happy. The problem is..someone is ALWAYS unhappy. That someone used to be me, mainly. But if the “crew” (insert any group of people here) is happy, then I’ve done it again. I’ve pulled it off. Cyclical Pleasing (can I coin this?) is a problem because it isn’t realistic. I can remember asking myself several “what if” questions that had to do with MAJOR changes in my life. By the time I figured out that I was really on my earthly own with these decisions, that person had exited stage left. Most of the time it was a peaceful exit that was already in the script, and sometimes, they left with a bit of pyrotechnics. While family is permanent, most of the other folk in my life are seasonal. Long or short, seasons change. So as we march gladly out of 2012…I will begin to be conscious of these little cycles of my life. Those that don’t bring progress will be reformed or removed.
Good News Cometh: I have some awesome people around me. Some are miss-labeled…but that two is a reform process. These people have the gall, boldness, and permission to correct me, edify me, polish me, and knock out the kinks where need be to help me be a better me. Every day that I live and breath is a new opportunity to grow. I am grateful for these that take the responsibility of friendship seriously. Those who offer biased, jaded, or otherwise unwanted information to my life discourse will be muted. God chastises His children because He loves us…He also has ONE HECK of a sense of humor.
*The picture above was taken by one of my MUA mentors (Elroy McDaniel) who is also a fabulous photographer. I couldn’t see the image he was capturing at the time. I had to trust his instructions and his “eye”. When the finished product was produced I was blown away. Isn’t trusting God JUST like that? We can’t see it as we walk..and then all of the pieces fall into place and we step away from the frame and admire God’s handiwork.
Andonnia's Truth 