Quiet...Time to Listen

Why is it so hard to listen, but so easy to speak? As a teacher, I see that students have a difficult time with this. They may say that they are listening or may even look it. As a parent, our children have difficulty listening. Prayer is our direct communication to God, the Creator of the universe. Often times, actually, most times, I find myself asking for things and thanking Him for things, but take no time to listen what He has to say. Speaking is only one side of communication. To truly understand and participate in a relationship, you have to listen. The Bible on many occasions discusses the importance of listening. In John 10, John compares our relationship to sheep and a shepherd. In John 10:3, Jesus says: “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” Jesus is talking about a shepherd leading the sheep. The sheep (us) need to listen to the shepherd’s (Jesus) voice to be kept safe and heading in the right direction. For us to keep on our path towards heaven, we must also listen to the Good Shepherd.

In the Midst of Change

Another long day. I find myself once again In the the midst another change...a good change. More time to write and focus on my teaching job and family. Change can be scary. Change can be unpredictable. Change can be good. Change can be bad. Change makes me yell. Change makes me cry. Change makes me laugh. In Philippians 4:10-12 Paul writes, "I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I should be used to it by now. Change happens everyday and in my life change is not a stranger. He is my best friend. OK, that statement may be stretching it a little. Change has been prevalent most of my adult life. Change asks me questions and I try to answer. Change makes me think and makes my brain hurt. Change makes me react. So, why do people not like change? Change makes me uncomfortable, but I say I like change. Right? Often times, change = confrontation. Confrontation + me= me not liking change. So, in the midst of change I am pushing forward and focusing on things despite the confrontations that might occur. Margaret Mead once said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

My New Word Overwhelmingness

When is it a good time to take a break from things? I am coining/creating a new word. The word is overwhelmingness. Feelings of "overwhelmingness" sometimes invade the space of my ever increasing schedule. Overwhelmingness stresses me out and sometimes makes me grouchy. When does it stop? When should it end? The chaos of additional tasks...additional meetings...additional jobs. During times of excessive "overwhelmingness" one must ask, "what or who is my priority"? In 2nd Corinthians 8:5, Paul writes "And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us". Paul's writing is stating we must FIRST give ourselves to the Lord. Are the extras necessary? Is it worth it? Why is it so hard to say NO!?!? Pushing...Striving...and Desiring to grow in my profession...to a point of where I'm exhausted from the endless thinking that occurs within my mind. Saying no to things would be a HUGE start, but I hate to miss out on opportunities that might give me experience for a future door that might open. "Overwhelmingness"--is the feeling of thoughts overcrowding the brain and stifling the creativity of a professional.

Eliminating Desire

I’m reading an article about Time’s Person of the Year, Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook. Zuckerberg, on his page, uses the terms “Eliminating Desire”. What does “eliminating desire” mean in my life? What does it mean in your life? What does it mean for Mark Zuckerberg? For Zuckerberg, it means to not get caught up in short-term things or material things that do not matter. Eliminate desire for all that doesn’t really matter. This is a very interesting concept coming from a billionaire. I’m really struggling and think that a lot of stuff I do probably does not matter, but I think think it does or feel like it does. What could I eliminate? Where should my focus be? I need to go through and create a list of what is absolutely necessary and what is not. Wow!! This is an amazing concept. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:10, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless". Could eliminating desire lead to absolute contentment? Excellent question! I should probably explore this idea.

The Steve Jobs Challenge--Love what you do.

Am I truly loving what I am doing? Some days no...but most days I love it. It is very challenging some days, but sometimes it clicks with students and I feel like I have achieved something. I watched a speech that Steve Jobs gave at a graduation ceremony at Stanford University in 2005. Jobs challenged the audience to “love what you do”. “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be satisfied is to do what you believe is a great work. And the only way to do a great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it”. These words have been echoing in my mind since watching speech. What defines “a great work”? What does Jobs mean when he says “don’t settle”? I think both definitions depend on the person and his/her personal experiences. I tend to dream big so a great work for me might be different than someone who does not think on a larger scale. A great work can be a small task. I would love to make an impact on every single student that walks through my door, but in reality I know my influence can only go so far. Bottom line...Love what YOU do!