Catalyst - Part 2

I'm a little behind but here is my second Catalyst posting.

Recap: Catalyst is a change that takes place when two or more elements are brought together.

The second Catalyst that each of has in our lives is the Catalyst of Connection. It is our human nature to connect with people as well as God's desire for us (Gen. 2:18).

The benefits of connecting with other people is endless. Connections result in community that provides encouragement, support, love and relationships. Most of, connecting and community results in friendships that can last a lifetime and have a significant impact in one's life.

So how do we connect with people? There are four primary areas where we connect: public space, social space, personal space and intimate space. Each 'space' has characteristics but for me, I connect the best either in the personal or intimate space. I focus on being intentional with a friend, being a great listener and providing unbiased advice based upon the situation and advice being seeked. Many people are less comfortable in these situations however this is where my personality thrives. There is something about being intentional in relationships that seem to provide greater value and understanding for each other.

To establish this relationship, you must first connect with other people, create a community and then develop your relationship from there.

Things I'm pondering...
... Can you have too many catalyst's working in one's life?
... Can you reach a point where you have too much community that results in detraction from relationships?
... Friendships are amazing and are a great support.

Catalyst...Part 1

When I was younger, I loved reading the book title The Way Things Work and always learning new things. Through this book and many other life experiences, I have had the opportunity to learn about how things works, cause and effect, interactions between two or more things. One component of all these things I've learned is that each requires a Catalyst. With a catalyst, something will have an effect on something else. You may not always know what will happen but you'll need to anticipate it.

My church started a new series this week called Catalyst: Anticipate What's Going to Happen. We discussed some of the core catalytic christian beliefs or God's deeply held beliefs. One that was focused on in the sermon was based on the following: Nothing I do or that I have done can earn or help merit my salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).

This catalyst, if believed, will affect the decisions that I make in my life. This deeply held belief is a foundation of God's working in my life and my personal spiritual development. I for one do believe in this catalyst - that nothing I do can earn or help merit my salvation. Works one earth does not 'get me farther' than someone else.

When you bottom line it, if you believe in these beliefs, you are drawn closer to God. It was stated, the more I [you] understand the beliefs, or for example, Grace, the closer you are to God.

So what does this mean? Living a Godly life is not about what I do, where I volunteer or the attempt to impress people. Instead, its about being Christ-like in all I do and continually seeking after Him through everything I do. Could this be through volunteering or acts of service? It could but doesn't have to be.

Take this and ponder it yourself and see how it impacts or changes your life. I've noticed a difference already.

Things I'm pondering...
...Attitude has a great impact on ones life....
...I'm hoping to find new ways to travel economically...
...I find opportunities to help people...its just a gift...and that's good, right?...

I'm really gonna try now...

How many times have I attempted to start a new thread of blogs with high hopes of having a more consistent, or should I say frequent, posting regime. Well, lets give this a try again.

I'm going to start a new topic shortly but first, with regard to my last post...regarding (wow, just used regarding twice)...living life to the fullest.

Have I done it? Yes...to some extent but not to the fullest. Will I attempt to do this in the future, absolutely. When will I start? I'd like to say today, but its late at night, so will tomorrow work? Sure will. But I gotta do it.

So, a new topic....let's see...how about something that I've talked about before? Not new, of course not. I always post on something that is somehow related to a prior post.

So, tonight...let's talk about internal motivation or sometimes, I like to call this 'internal marketing'. the essence of marketing is to sell or convince someone else to buy something or try something, that they may not be familiar with. So, what is internal marketing? Its the same concept but when you do it on yourself.

I'm trying to sell myself on the idea that happiness only comes with contentment. Is it true? Well, sure it is...if you believe you can achieve contentment. I honestly think I can and that is what I'm striving for. To reach this awe-struck feeling where I realize, I am happy for no other reason, than to just be happy. Let's see if it really happens or not.

Things I'm pondering...
...dreams...what do they really mean? especially when you wake up and say...that was weird...
...rest is a good thing...really...it is...but why I can't I do it?
...can jealousy be a motivator to pursue dreams?

Dreams

My church began a new series this week entitled 'Six Weeks to Live'. Now, before you read on, this is NOT a series about preparing to die, as so eloquently noted by my pastor but a series to encourage living life to the fullest. The first week, we focused on dreams.

So, what are your dreams? Have you even thought about them? Please note, dreams are not your 'goals' but rather aspirations of your life. Dreams are special and specific. So, when thinking of your dreams, be sure to identify what it looks like to YOU! If you have a dream of being wealthy, what does that look like to you? Be specific...

The next step is then to become intentional about pursuing your dreams. If say for example, you have a dream to start your own business, what steps are you taking to make it happen? Are you networking with other entrepreneurs and learning what works and what doesn't work? Are you reading up on the industry you are interested in?

Dreams are attainable but you must commit to seeing the dream become a reality. Take steps to first, identify your dreams and then become intentional towards attaining them.

Things I'm pondering...
... can you have too many dreams?
... is there anything wrong with wine and cheese being a dream?
... its so easy to become an enabler of dreams but why are we so hesitant about taking those next steps? You can't fail if you don't try!

where did the time go

It's been five days since I last posted about creating time to 'redesign' my life.  I don't even remember what I was going to do, let alone schedule the time to do it. Where did the time, and this week go?

I also am realizing that Christmas is 13 days away.  Seriously, is time just moving and warp speed. 

Things I'm pondering...

...can I seriously just slow time down a bit....

...Does life get easier as you get older?

...I haven't had a good glass of wine in quite awhile...why is that?

Redesigning Life

I took a step back tonight from the stress of a paper and a fast approaching deadline to recalibrate life. It had been awhile since I had even a moment to make myself a nice dinner, clean my desk (which is where I found mail two weeks old) and just get things organized again.

On my desk I have kept a book that I have mentioned previously.... A Minute of Margin. So, why not, let's open it up and see where the bookmark was last left.

'Redesigning Life" -- how appropriate for me. A few excerpts that seem pertinent:

Civilization, in the real sense of the term, consists not in the multiplication, but in the deliberate and voluntary reduction of wants. This alone promotes real happiness and contentment, and increases the capacity for service. ~~ Mahatma Gandhi

I even used a common statement today....less is more...but yet I can't grasp that concept in my own personal life. I push and push but sometimes I wonder what for? Is it all worth it? Am I truly living? Is this the plan God intended for me?

Another excerpt (paraphrased).... "write down everything you have in your life that consumes time on a piece of paper....then throw it into the fire and wipe the slate clean. Allow God to redesign our lives by that which is fully spiritually authentic...'

Not a bad idea. Now I just need to schedule time to do that!

Things I'm pondering....
....what is the underlying reason that I push myself so hard? Ah yes, I know and was reminded by my mother...my unyielding desire to right my life's failures....
... how can I learn to not be a perfectionist?
... are there advantages to being lazy? If so, what are they?

Musings from a Snowy Day

It snowed again today. A few more inches added to the count. It feels like I've been stuck in winter for months already and yet according to the Gregorian calendar, the winter solstice does not begin until December 21st. How can this be? Why does this season always seem to start so early and last so long? Ah yes, I am reminded where I live in the midwest. Maybe I should move away to warmer climate?

I recall from last year, a record-setting snow fall year, the over abundance of snow and how I felt the same with regard to it. Will this year be a repeat? I was reminded today while driving that there are benefits of driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Now, if only I had one to deal with the elements.

With all this being said about the snow, difficulty driving in it and the bitter cold, when I'm warm and inside, the snow has an elegance about it as it flows smoothly from the sky above. Its actually soothing in away to just watch it fall and being peaceful.

If only life could be as simple, elegant and peaceful like snow falling. But yet, life is complicated. I do it to myself. The expectations and requirements I put on myself and the constant minimizing of my accomplishments just beat a guy down over time. But yet I always pick myself up only to fall down again.

One day, life will be easier and resemble the calmness of a fresh snow. One day...


Things I'm Pondering...
... is there a world record for the tallest snowman? If not...should I attempt to set that record?
... I wonder if there is a big enough bottle to bottle up all of one person's feelings for a lifetime in.
... I've been told to stop letting life get in the way of life...I wonder how I do that?