Tolerance

I love people.  I love to watch people.  I love to study people.  People are so interesting.

One very interesting thing I see repeatedly is this: A conservative will tolerate a liberal; a liberal will not tolerate a conservative. 

Now this is not to say that this is true 100% of time, always forever every time.  There are no absolutes. 

But for the most part, I find it true.

Simple Rules

I love simple "rules" that can be applied in any situation. 

Peter McWilliams, author of the book Life 101, says "Pain (any pain--emotional, physical, mental) has a message. The information it has about our life can be remarkably specific, but it usually falls into one of two categories: "We would be more alive if we did more of this," and, "Life would be more lovely if we did less of that." Once we get the pain's message, and follow its advice, the pain goes away."

The 10 Commandments are great, but no one can comply all the time.....though they are lofty aspirations.  Simple things, like "love others".  If we all did that, imagine what this world would be like.  The book of Proverbs is full of these simple solutions to life.  Sometimes, you'll see history repeat itself and come up with a few words that sum it up. 

So, here are a few that I have found to be applicable ALL THE TIME and help life be more lovely with less pain.

1.) Proverbs 3:7, "Do not be wise in your own eyes".  No explanation needed here.

2.) Be careful with words.  Keep the main thing, the main thing. Say what you mean,
     and mean what you say. 
          Words are powerful and carry a lot of weight.  If your word cannot be trusted, what can be 
          trusted about you?  Communication problems in relationships occur when people beat around
          the bush, try to make it feel good, do not say what is on their heart, or say words that are not in
          their soul. 

3.) Again: words, words, words!  "Those who choose murmuring will live their lives in the wilderness", by author James MacDonald.  Read the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" and find out what the wilderness attitudes are and replacement them with "promised land" attitudes!  Examples: Replace a  complaining attitude with an attitude of thankfulness; or Replace a critical attitude with a loving attitude.  These are not simple, quick fixes but if you try - you will be a much happier person!

I suppose I could go on, but these are the things I want to dwell on and try to live out each and every day. 

And just to add my own flair, (because, really, I am so not even close to the first 3 items listed) I'll leave this final word.  This ESPECIALLY applies to women, but really I guess it could apply anywhere. 

If someone says they are an asshole, believe them.

It's Been A Year

It has been one full year since the last blog post I composed. 

That day was my last Friday at State Farm. 

I was headed out of the insurance industry into the Lord's work. 

The person I was dating and I were ........what.......engaged?  Not exactly.  He gave me a ring the following Wednesday after that Friday, but he never asked the question, and it was like....strange.....idk......  Subsequently, he made the decision to get it on with Young and Delicious, his very young and attractive, temporary secretary (I call her Y&D for short).  He was sure of the choice he made then, but then he changed his mind (they always do, don't they?)  I, on the other hand, wasn't sure about it then but am 110% sure now that it was the best thing to ever happen.......I guess you could say it became Krystal clear........hahaha.

I had no idea what to expect heading into a new job working as the office manager at a church.  I wasn't scared, but looking back now I realize I was quite ill-prepared.

One thing I've learned: do not confuse church business and being a christian.  The two are totally seperate things.  And it is best to keep it that way, really.  Someone recently told me that they bet I had the best "quiet time" ritual, after all......I work at a church.  That could NOT be any further from the truth.  The truth is that I never have a free minute and devotions are crammed into the beginning of a meeting so we can feel good about having had one.  I have had to find my spirituality outside of my job. 

I do not want to make it sound like church work is of the devil, though some might argue........ha!
I have met some of the most wonderful people and made such good friends.  I've even found some old friends, who through course and time have just fallen off my radar.  Then, somehow, the church where I work brings them back into my life.

All of this to say: I thought I knew the plan.  My life was mapped out.  Surely at 18 I knew exactly where I was headed and how I would get there.  Right?

Wrong.  I have NO idea where I am going or how I will get there.  But I don't have to.  I am getting better at giving everything up to God.  Human nature is flawed and there is no way we can ride the road He had for us.  That was ruined a long time ago. 

Even though the road is broken, God has blessed it. 

"Hindsight's 20/20", don't waste your time.  If it is to be, there will be a U-turn for it.  If not, leave it behind.

My old blog was broken and irreparable in it's decay.  It was time for a new "vehicle" if you will.......

A new blog for a new time in life.