Funny yet true story...remember my previous post on Ari and the gate??
Well, less than 4 hours after writing the post, I'm sitting in the room with hubby and was visited by the little black blob. I peak out to the hallway and this is what I found...:))
Apparently, the weekend's situation (when the gate fell down after he accidentally fell on it), really did stick with him and when it mattered, he pushed the limits.
Moreover, since he figured it out that one time, he's pushed through it numerous other times in the past week. He respects it when it matters most, i.e. at night, but if we are in the room and he feels he should be a part of the family time, most likely, he will scratch and push until the gate relents and he has an opening to squeeze through!
So Ari's adventures offers us another lesson: don't forget the instances of the past when you may have broken through. You know, the one time when you may have pushed and gotten a break or a hole (no matter how small)? Or even if it didn't happen to you, but you have 1st-hand knowledge of someone else who pushed through until something happened?
Yes, allow those stories and/or memories to encourage you and propel you to challenge the new(est) "barrier" set before you.
Listen, I know you always hear it...Life is too short. But for real, when you sit to really think through the potential that each of us have... the dreams, the talents and then consider that we don't even have the current moment we are experiencing promised to us- yea, you'll decide to make each moment count. To not settle when you know there is more. To live full and free.
Agency, is the term we psychologists use when we refer to human's ability to do something. We have control over our thoughts, words and actions. We are able to effect change. We can (fill in the blank) IF we choose to.
I've been a bit under the weather and it has been a real act of the "wills" to do a lot of things. Of course, I jump on the moments when I feel semi-normal but even in the moments when I don't, I attempt to "push through". Please note: I am aware of my physical limitations and not pushing beyond them. In Bahamian vernacular- this thing go with sense!
In any event, this made me think about the "I wills". For me, this past week, it's been, I will:
smile through the discomfort (sour face isn't cute on the prettiest of humans)
NOT complain (although if asked, I will honestly share)
get the list of things done (that could be reasonably done)
enjoy time with those I have the opportunity to visit with
rejoice with those who are rejoicing (Yes, just because I feel crappy does not mean that I cannot celebrate others, or celebrate with them!)
Bless the Lord.
Yes, I decided that I will make a special effort to praise. After all, it just doesn't come that easy when things are not going well or in my case, if you aren't feeling well. But as with everything, this is all for a season and through each passing season, circumstance, or experience, my God is still God. He is still good. He is still faithful. His love is still ever so zealous for me. He still watches over me and although He allows trials, sickness and other forms of difficulties, He is still working on my behalf in the background...if I allow Him.
As I reflect over the previous week, I think I did it....I know for one thing, the minute you take your eye off the bad and focus on the good, the bad just seems...less horrible.
After listening to an archived sermon from my home church -Epic Church Bahamas, I was encouraged, challenged and reminded that I must choose to continue to run this race toward my goals.
This was the sound I was awoken to...over and over and over at a little before 5 am. This is Ari's way of saying "I need to potty". Of course he's learned to associate going outside with ringing the bell so every now and again, he rings the bell just to go outside and play. The thing is, if I (or my husband) don't move, he just continues to do this and it becomes more forceful. We sometimes wonder where he gets the strength from in the little body to bang on the bell with the force and fervor that he does.
As I lay in bed just trying to ignore the sound and go back to sleep, I began thinking of this persistance. I fell back asleep smiling at his stubbornness. I found there were two lessons to consider in this experience, the first of which is about our persistence. I'm a firm believer in never giving up. In pressing forwarding or pushing until something happens. My very good friend has a book about this. You can see more about it here. There are so many inspirational or motivational quotes about this that I'm sure I don't need to spend a lot of time convincing you.
Before I leave though, I thought we should revisit a Biblical story that provides clear support for the concept that we should continue praying, seeking, pursuing after the goal or outcome that you desire.
Luke 18:2-8 [The Message]
The Story of the Persistent Widow
1-3Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: 'My rights are being violated. Protect me!'
4-5"He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, 'I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.'"
6-8Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?"
Have you grown tired or weary? Are you about to give up...? DON'T. One of my favorite concepts is hope. I believe there is always hope, well as long as we are living, there are opportunities to pursue and achieve. So be encouraged, however, I suggest you also be wise. If the means you have been trying to get something isn't working, maybe it is time to reassess your strategy...or even your goal. If you are a Christian, how does your strategy or goal line up with God's plans and purpose for you? Even if you aren't a Christian, does the strategy make logical sense? Is your goal attainable?
I would never suggest that you limit your thinking/vision/plans but sometimes (in fact most times), the super big out-of-this-world goal requires smaller goals to get you there. Maybe you can't identify your goals and you have just been chasing the proverbial wind. Well, check out a previous blog post on goals and get to writing and strategizing. However, be reminded that whatever point you are at in your journey, DO NOT GIVE UP.
So on this Friday, the lesson from Ari is to continue ringing the bell until it is clear to whomever is the gate-keeper, that you have a need.
Grace peace and love,
Gia
oh! if you want to see more of Ari and his shenanigans...to really see his persistence, click on the video link above that says Ari & playpen (it should show up after you have watched the short clip). Just know that he did that over and over until he was able to get out.
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