Susan Call's Blog, page 12

5 Symptoms You’re Overwhelmed (And What To Do About It)

Some mornings start with the best intentions. That was certainly the case for me earlier this week. I was up early hoping to make my son’s birthday special. I hung our family’s “Happy Birthday” banner above the kitchen island and put a note on a fresh baked loaf of banana bread before heading to work.

I was proud of all I had gotten accomplished until… a nagging thought grabbed hold of me. Did I turn off the oven?

I vividly remembered covering the bread with foil and putting the note on top but, I definitely didn’t remember turning the oven off. When I got to work, I sent off what you could say was a rather untraditional birthday text “Happy Birthday and good morning. I made you banana bread but I don’t think I turned the oven off. Can you check when you’re up? Thx”

You could say that it’s been busy as of late. Really busy. Between squeezing in every last bit of summer plans to navigating changes at work, my plate has been full. The banana bread episode left me thinking about what overwhelmed looks like and what to do about it. I thought I’d share just in case I’m not the only one whose ever felt this way.

5 symptoms of “overwhelmed” and what you can do about it:

It’s easy to procrastinate more. When you find yourself putting off things need to get done more than normal, it’s a good time to reflect and ask if you’ve got too much on your plate.

What can you do? Shorten your to-do list. What are the highest priority items on your list? Quite simply, what must get done? Start with those items. And, give yourself permission to let lesser priority items wait for another day. Reschedule them so that you can do what matters most.

We’re more likely to over react or be emotional. When we’re over extended, we can go from zero to sixty with tears, or anger in a split second. Our emotional fuses get much shorter when we’re overwhelmed. Recognize when your fuse is short and take action.

What can you do? Refill. Consciously set aside time to reset. Use that time to pursue things that allow you to refill. Maybe that means curling up with a good book, going for a long walk, sitting on a beach listening to the waves, or kayaking out into the middle of a lake. Find time for the activities that allow you to recover from your state of “busy.”

We can be overly tired. You’ve had your second cup of coffee and neither one seems to have kicked in yet. Or, it’s only 1pm but you feel like you could go to bed and sleep until tomorrow. Exhaustion can be a telltale sign of being overwhelmed.

What can you do? Reestablish your routine. Staying up late to get more done can back fire. Find and stick to a consistent routine so that your body clock can have a rhythm. A routine can help you make sure you’re getting enough sleep, which is essential when your plate is full.

We’re more likely to withdraw. Emails, calls, and texts are far more likely to go unanswered when we’re overwhelmed. We can feel like we’re the only one who feels that way.

What can you do? Connect. It’s ok to tell friends that we’re not ok or that we’re struggling. We’ve all been there. We’ve all had times when we’ve had more on our plate than we knew what to do with. When we’re feeling frazzled by life, reaching out to a friend can be just the thing we need to remind us that we’re not alone.

It’s harder to focus. With our minds trying to track several things that we’d like to do, we can find ourselves more scattered and unable to focus.

What can you do? Focus in bursts. Choose what you need to work on next. Set a timer for 15, 20, or 25 minutes and only work on the task at hand during that time. Anything that tries to distract you other than an emergency during that time will need to wait. You’ll be amazed how much you can get done when you’re focusing to beat the clock.

With the crazy schedule I’ve kept the past few weeks, I’ve needed to consciously work on keeping a balance and doing each of these. Recognizing my pace and the need for margin has kept me adjusting to keep me from becoming overwhelmed. I may have forgotten if I turned the oven off, but I did manage to make it through a busy week with less stress as a result.

What about the oven you ask? Sometime later that morning I got my reply. “It was off! Thank you for the banana bread!”

What do you do to help keep your balance when you’re overwhelmed? Does one of these tips sound like it would work for you? I’d love to hear from you. Comment and join the conversation.

Can One Minute Really Be Significant?

I had just settled in to my seat at gate B4 for my layover when drama broke out in front of me. It started unassumingly enough but, that was all about to change. The gate attendant glanced down the hall of busy travelers. Then, without any ceremony or fuss she walked over and shut the door to the jetway. No sooner had she returned to her counter and began clicking on her computer when a harried traveler rushed the scene. “I’m here!” she exclaimed in quite a panic.

Her arrival to the gate was so soon after the attendant closed the gate that I couldn’t help but think she probably saw the door close as she rushed to the gate. After a pause that must have felt like an eternity for the weary woman, the attendant stopped typing and looked up to engage in a dialog that took only moments to become intense.

Right there, at the B4 counter, it saw first-hand the value of one minute. To the desperate traveler with plans to be hundreds, or thousands of miles away, that one minute was remarkably significant. Instead of being onboard with her roller bag safely tucked in an overhead bin, she stood at the gate desperate.

I’ve heard it said:

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

A great amount of significance can be found in smallest of time. On that day in the airport, the fleetingly brief minute between the latch of the door and the arrival of the stressed traveler was significant. But, on a daily basis we easily cast aside 15, 20, or 30 minutes as though it’s nothing.

I was tempted to do just that the other day. I had hoped to dedicate a full hour to writing on my next book project. Unexpected issues popped up whittling my available time down to a mere 20 minutes. It felt too short to get done what I had hoped. Temptation shouted ‘don’t bother.’ Surely the time left isn’t enough to make meaningful progress.

But that’s when I caught myself. If I’m working on something important, something I feel called to do, even the smallest amount of time, even the smallest action, or the smallest step forward IS significant.

Don’t let the enemy convince you that small amounts of time, small efforts, or first steps are insignificant. The cost is too great!

So what can you do?

Remind yourself that even the smallest thing God nudges you to do is significant. Say it out loud if it helps you remember – simply say “This is significant.”
Reclaim your productivity by using small blocks of time to make progress. Over time, it will add up.
Use a tool like the Pomodoro Method. It’s a 25 minute “focus” timer. I’ve started using one at marinaratimer.com. Or, you can find an app for your phone.

Resist the urge to discount small steps in the right direction. And the next time you find yourself thinking the amount of time you have to make progress is insignificant, remember the woman from gate B4. Even a minute can be significant!

Have you ever been tempted to discount your efforts or the amount of time you have as not enough to matter? Have you had to overcome self-talk that a small impact is too small to make a difference? Join the conversation, I’d love to hear from you!

5 Surprising Habits that Made My Summer

 

Maybe you’ve heard of Christmas in July, but have you ever heard of New Year’s in August? When I reflect on where I am right now, that’s exactly what it feels like. No, I’m not getting ahead of the seasons despite seeing snow blowers out at Home Depot this week.  My sense of New Year’s comes from the momentum I’m gaining from establishing five new habits.

Each habit started from a single small step in the right direction. I didn’t come up with some elaborate scheme to attack all of them at once, rather I made small changes and allowed the momentum to build. With time it has become easier to continue each habit. Now, they’re becoming far more a part of the fabric of my life rather than a distant goal. The great thing about attacking goals at this time of year is imagine how much progress can be made before January! So what did I do? I’ve sent out to adopt these five habits:

Writing more physical cards and letters. Handwritten notes are a treasure in our social media and mobile phone world. Several months ago I bought an old school address book and I’ve been working to add addresses of friends and family. I’ve bought a few sets of notecards that are on the ready. Randomly when people come to mind, I jot them a note and send it off with my well wishes. They’ve been received well and make me feel like I’m doing something to spread a little joy.
Reading more, watching less. This summer I’ve gone from one book to the next, to the next. I often use my commute and morning prep time to listen to audible books. I’ve also enjoyed catching some quiet time out on the deck in the morning or evening with my current read. The books have fostered growth in a variety areas of my life. A few books I’ve read this summer include Crash the Chatterbox – Hearing God’s Voice Above All Others, Goliath Must Fall, Communicating for a Change, Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer, Sun Stand Still – What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible, and How People Grow. What we feed our minds and spirits with matters.
Decluttering more, storing less. I’ll be honest, this one is a work in progress. But, after years of holding on to too many sizes in my closet, I’m getting rid of what I don’t wear. Enough already! I plan to continue working through the closets, drawers, and storage areas in my home. The boxes tucked in the garage from my last move can’t be that important if they’ve remained untouched. It’s time to move them on. With each bag I donate, I can feel my house getting lighter. It’s an amazing feeling!
Practicing mindful eating. A warm gooey brownie really doesn’t make a bad day better. Trust me, I’ve tested that theory for years! I’ve stopped using food to celebrate or to provide comfort. It’s taken a very conscious choice to make this change. I’m likely to connect with a friend over a cup of tea or coffee rather than a big dinner. I get just as much connect time without the extra calories or cost. I’ve been using an app to track what I eat each day to help me stay on point. Is it working? You bet,  so far I’ve lost 17 pounds and a stack of clothes that no longer fit.
Writing down goals. I’ve returned to writing down my goals each month. The difference is noticeable. I pick three priorities for the month and schedule time each week so that each is achievable during the month. I’ve made traction in areas that previously I just couldn’t find time for. Did you know you’re 42% more likely to achieve a goal if it’s written down? Looking for a good way to track your goals? Subscribe to my blog and get my free downloadable goal calendar. Don’t forget to check your email for the confirmation to subscribe. You’ll get new encouragement delivered to your mailbox each week.

Where are you in your journey? Do you feel farther ahead than you were a few months ago? Or, are you wishing for change but haven’t yet made traction? The great news is that habits start with small choices. When we set out to be victorious one decision at a time, we gain new habits that help us grow.

What habits do you have or wish you had? Have any of my new habits hit home? I’d love to hear from you. Click to join the conversation.

My Shooting Star Experience TOO Good to Not Share!

I laid back on the blanket and focused my eyes on the star-filled sky above.

“There! Did you see that?” my Mom exclaimed pointing above us to the left. My eyes re-focused, now on that patch of the night sky.

“There’s another one!” My sister squealed pointing in an entirely different direction. Nope, I thought. I didn’t see either one or, the next half dozen they tried to point out.

I laid there quietly, my eyes still fixed on the vast expanse above us. I so desperately wanted to see what they had. But then, after feeling left out, shooting star after shooting star, it happened.

A magnificent brilliant light darted across the summer sky right in front of me, “there goes one!” I shrieked, claiming victory. I saw my first shooting star.

As I remembered that sweet moment from my childhood, I thought of the expectation, the excitement, and the sense of wonder it left us with. It’s a life experience that seems to beg to be shared.

This past week, I had a shooting star experience. It was fleeting brilliance that left me in wonder, impacted, and changed. It was the type of “moment” that I can’t help but share. Where did this happen you ask? At Carol Kent’s  Speak Up Conference  in Grand Rapids.  It’s an amazing, equipping conference for speakers and writers that has been one of the highlights of my summer for the past five years.

If you were at Speak Up or not, I think you’ll appreciate my favorite takeaways:

Failure is a powerful teacher. What do you do when you wake up in a rain-soaked tent, frazzled, only to then miscalculate the time difference between two states? You show up for your video critique only to deliver your message with such speed that professional auctioneers would shrink with envy. But, if you’re a professional communicator, you’d want to pack your bags and call it quits. That could have been Bruce Martin’s fate last year. While he may have wanted to forget last year’s fiasco, this year he boldly shared it from the main platform. “Sometimes failures create some unexpected opportunities,” Bruce shared. His presence on stage, a testimony to his quote after last year’s debacle. What failure do you want to run from, or forget? Is there a lesson or opportunity tucked in it that you’d not otherwise receive? Failure can be an incredible stepping stone! Embrace it.
We’re on the same team! When we compare and criticize others, we’re focused on tearing down, not building up. That misdirected energy prevents us from really being the light and love we’re called to be. We’re not called to agree on everything, but we can be respectful as we work together. Our growth will never come from tearing down another or from focusing on envy of what they have. Instead, we need to encourage and celebrate one another. (Thank you Cindy Bultema for this great teaching!)
Resilience is an attitude. Resilient leaders don’t lead struggle-free lives but instead learn from their experiences and embrace the benefits of their challenges. They exercise humility and find the courage to shine despite life’s difficulties. Carol Kent’s message on fostering a resilient attitude left me with a valuable reminder that our attitude is a choice. Are we open to the lessons that come in our struggles? Are willing to say ‘yes’ to small opportunities as a result? And, are we humble in our situations? When life hands us difficult circumstances, we can choose despair or bitterness. Or, we can choose to adopt a resilient attitude and learn, grow, and persevere, becoming stronger than we once were.
There’s power in prayer. Hearing the first hand story of Don Piper (90 Minutes in Heaven) brought new meaning to pray without ceasing. Don’s car, containing his lifeless body was covered with a tarp while they waited for a coroner to arrive. Multiple first responders confirmed, he had no pulse and passed away. Despite the appearance that it was too late, one pastor crawled into the mangled heap and began to pray. A full 90 minutes after Don’s life slipped away and his heart stopped, he began singing praise songs along with the pastor who refused to stop praying. What desperate situation are you facing that you have given up hope on? God is still very much in the miracle business. Pray without ceasing. Pray beyond what seems possible. It’s in our most desperate moments that God’s brilliance shines brightest.

Of course my days at Speak Up were filled with amazing connections with both new friends and old. I’ve learned that time and miles do not matter when it comes to sincere connection with great friends. I look forward to keeping in touch and watching where these dear friends go as a result of being part of this incredible conference.

In many ways, the Speak Up conference is like a shooting star. It left me changed. It left me in awe. Just like a shooting star, I can’t help but share the experience. And, I wouldn’t want you to miss the next one! Next year’s Speak Up Conference is June 28-30, 2018. I’d would love to see you there!

Where you there? What was your favorite part? Let’s keep in touch! Follow me on Facebook or Instagram and I’ll follow you back.

Or, if you weren’t, which one of my takeaways hit home with you the most? I’d love to hear from you and connect online.

To read more about this great conference, check out the other Blog Hop posts about it:

A Powerful Proposition – Share Your Story

My travel plans have been double checked. I’ve confirmed my accommodations. In just another two days I’m beginning a busy 10 day stretch that will take me from New England to Pennsylvania, back to New England, then off to Michigan. It’s easy to get tired just looking at my schedule for the next week and a half. Despite all that’s packed into the coming days, I’ve been looking forward to this for months. Why? Because I’m looking forward to sharing some of my story!

It’s an excitement that has only built in the past few days as I’ve been reading and studying the book of Exodus. It has reminded me of three important reasons we each should share our story:

It reminds us how far we’ve come. As a child, my family had a doorway where my parents would periodically mark how tall we were. It felt so good to see the small lines with my name inch up the wall over time. Even the smallest incremental growth showed that I wasn’t where I used to be. Sharing our stories does the same. It reminds ourselves that we’re not where we once were.

 

It reminds us of answers to prayer. Sharing our stories keeps answers to prayer that we’ve experienced fresh in our minds. We’ll need those reminders when life challenges us again. When we read Exodus, it can feel a bit like the Hebrews forgot answers they had received. God performed several miracles to break them free from slavery. Then, as they fled, He split the Red Sea so that they could walk through on dry ground. Safely on the other side, the complained and even said they’d have been better staying slaves. We need to resist the temptation to forget the answers to prayer we’ve had so that we do not get stuck when new challenges roll into our lives.

 

It shares hope with others. Have you ever been inspired by someone’s before and after picture? Seeing someone’s transformation inspires. Sharing our stories does the same. Our words paint a picture with the images of the struggles and challenges we’ve faced and the hurdles we’ve needed to overcome. By sharing, we’re allowing others to “see” our before and after pictures to share hope and inspiration to others for their journey. You may be surprised by how many times you hear “me too” as others respond letting you know that they’ve shared similar struggles.

 

When we share our stories, our audience may be to one friend over a cup of coffee, or it may be to an entire audience, or through a blog, video, or book. It may be informal or structured. How and what you share is individual.

If you want to learn how to write or speak about your story, there are many great conferences each year. A few that I’m looking forward to include:

http://speakupconference.com/ (July 13-15 – There’s still time to register!)
http://www.maranathachristianwriters.com/ (Sept 28-30)
https://renewwriting.com/ (October 6-8)

I hope you’re encouraged to share your story! Have you ever shared your story? If you have, was it easier than you thought? And, if you haven’t, does this post make your reconsider? I’d love to hear from you!

Why We Procrastinate and What to do About It

I meant to start last month. That was the plan. Then I was going to make progress a few weeks ago. Definitely, I intended to make up for lost time this past weekend. But, I started yesterday morning. The funny thing is, I expected it to be hard but it was easy. Suddenly, I wish I really had started last month. I could be so much farther now if I had.

Procrastination. Recognize it? It disguises itself as motivation for everything else but that thing you want to do, need to do, or even feel called to do.

None of us are proud of it but, most of us deal with it at some time or another. So why do we do it? A few of the many reasons we struggle with procrastination include:

The task seems daunting or overwhelming.
You don’t know how to do it.
You’re worried about failing.
You’re distracted.
You don’t feel like you have time.
You just don’t want to.

Have you ever noticed that when you finally hit panic mode and you are done procrastinating, the task most often ends up being easier and quicker than you had imagined it would be?

This week as I pondered procrastination, I realized it comes at a cost.

Procrastination is like a credit card with your time. We “spend” or allocate our future time today. We pay interest by the stress and anxiety it costs  to carry around the unfulfilled task until it’s completed.
Procrastination can steal future opportunities. Because we defer until later something that should be done now, later we are not free to do what could have been doing then instead.
Procrastination can cost us financially. Waiting to set aside money for college or retirement robs us of interest our money can earn. Procrastinating a payment can come with penalties and fees.
Procrastination can make small issues bigger. Putting off addressing some tasks can make them grow to be bigger than they would have been if they’d been addressed when we intended.
Procrastination can impact our impact. If we put off working on an area of influence or something we feel nudged or even called to do, we’re robbing ourselves of valuable time necessary to develop or grow in that area.
Procrastination can show us areas where we lack discipline. When we put off healthy habits, desired patterns, or needed change in our lives, we reveal where we need to develop stronger discipline.

So what can you do? Ask yourself two key questions: Is it urgent? And, is it important? Prioritize your time to address the items that are both urgent and important first. Don’t let yourself be distracted by things that are neither urgent nor important. Re-prioritize as needed, but resist the temptation to allow distraction today to rob your tomorrow.

The next time you feel the urge to procrastinate, ask yourself what’s the real reason you’re procrastinating, what’s the cost, and is it urgent or important, then decide what to do next.

What kinds of things cause you to procrastinate? How do you over come it? I’d love to hear from you!

3 Heartwarming Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

I sat across from my dad, parked in a wheel chair in the middle of my parent’s living room. This wasn’t the norm. Until that day he had used a cane or a walker to get around. That day was different. He fought to keep his eyes open, despite wanting to visit. I clicked on my Pandora app to give us a musical backdrop for our time together. Within a few minutes later a familiar refrain began. My dad smiled.

“In the Mood” instantly conjures images of my dad reaching for my mom’s hand. Both glowing, they’d make their way to the dance floor and escape into a world of their own. I’d witness the sweet interaction more times than I can count.

That morning I reached over and took Dad’s hands and began to sway our hands to the music. A smile swept across his face. As the music grew, I took his other hand and swayed with him hand in hand until the music ended. “We danced dad!” I proclaimed. “Yes we did,” he responded in kind. It was a sweet moment that will be forever more etched in my heart. Maybe you could even say, it was the last gift I had the chance to give him. Dad left us just a few days later.

Father’s Day is fast approaching, stirring beautiful memories for me. I’m thankful for the close relationship I had with my dad. But instead of feeling somber this year, I wanted to share a few gift ideas with you in case you’re still looking for ways to celebrate your dad. 

The Story of Dad. Write out a list of memories and ways your dad has impacted you in the shape of the word “Dad.” I used a fine point sharpie on card stock, but you could use any fine point marker on paper. Frame your “Dad” with a frame from your favorite store – Target, CVS or wherever you shop. No artistic talent needed, just an open heart, pen, paper, and frame.

Outstanding Dad Lifetime Achievement Award. Type up your tribute to your Dad identifying his accomplishments as a dad. Print it on certificate paper found at Staples or supply stores. Frame as desired. For this project you’ll just need computer with any program you can add text to, certificate paper, and a frame.

Let Me Count the Ways. List out memories, and lessons learned from your dad. You can make it as fancy or simple as you’d like. I created mine in a small scrapbook album I found at Hobby Lobby. Depending on how fancy you go, you may need a little crafty perspective along with an open heart and memories.

Make the most of your Father’s Day. If your dad is here to spend it with you, it’s a day worth treasuring!

How will you be spending Father’s Day? What’s your favorite gift to your dad? I’d love to hear from you!

PS If you need specifics on how to make any of these, or need ideas for the certificate, contact me.

Dear Graduate – What I Wish I Knew When I Was a New Graduate

It’s the time of year for Pomp and Circumstance. The rite of passage has proud parents across the country straining to find their child in a sea of caps and gowns. The recent flood of postings on social media celebrating both college and high school graduations, has caused me to become a bit reflective. If I could time travel back to my own commencement, what would I say to the younger me?

Do your best no matter what your job. Your current job is likely not your dream job but, it might be a critical step on the path to that dream job of yours. Do your best, be respectful, and dependable, always. Treat every job as though your dream job depends upon it. People notice, doors open and, future opportunities come out of today’s efforts. Take for example Xerox’s CEO Ursula Burns, she started out as an intern. Her dedication and hard work paved her path taking her from intern to CEO.


Don’t live life on a predetermined timeline. You don’t need to be married by 30 and have children by 35 or any other age. You may have friends that get married or have kids long before you. It’s ok! It is far better to wait for the right relationship than to get married, or choose other life steps because you think it’s “time.” Don’t live the life you think you are “supposed to live” rather truly live your life.


Never stop learning. Learning doesn’t stop once you’ve gotten your diploma. To get the most out of life, continue to learn and grow at all ages. Take advantage of professional development opportunities at your work. Explore new hobbies outside of work. And, don’t be afraid to try new things.


The best lessons and the best opportunities are often hidden in “failures.” Disappointments will be part of your journey. You can allow them to break you or you can allow them to propel you. The choice is yours. When something doesn’t turn out the way you wish it had, step back and see how you can learn from it or how it might launch you on a better path. I was once laid off from a job I loved after 17 years. Instead of allowing it to devastate me, I went back to college, got my master’s degree, published a book, and changed careers. My lost job opened a new door with fabulous opportunities I’d never trade!


Seek feedback from trusted or respected sources. Proactively ask “What can I do to improve?” or “How could I do this differently to get an even better result?” Opening communications for feedback will help you become a better version of you. You will encounter people who know more than you. Tap their knowledge so that you can grow. The future you will be glad you did. 


Find something to be grateful about every single day. Even on your worst day, you have something to be grateful for. Before your head hits the pillow at night, recall three things you are thankful for that day. In research studies, psychologist have found participants who find three things to be thankful for each day have an immediate increase in happiness measures. Don’t you want to be happier? Take time to be thankful. It works!

I can’t time travel back to encourage younger me but, I can continue to share the lessons I’ve learned over the years. I’m happy to say that I’ve become a lifelong learner and I do work to be grateful even on the days when it feels hardest to do. I refuse to let a bad five minutes ruin an entire day, and to interpret a bad day to mean the week, year, or my life is awful – because it’s not! Enjoy life. Live it! Celebrate your milestones and victories. And, if you’ve just graduated, Congratulations!!

Or, if you like me have a few years between you and your commencement, what wisdom would you share with younger you? I’d love to hear from you.

 

 

Other Duties as Assigned – a Messy Life Lesson

I was squeamish as I slid the thin cardboard beneath the overturned bowl. After considering my options, I had exhausted any other possible course of action. This was necessary. I carefully applied pressure to the bowl as to not upset it with my motion. I really didn’t want to do this. Even more so, I didn’t want to do what I knew was my next step. This was just the beginning.

My detour down this undesired path followed a text I had received from my daughter while at work. You could sum her message into a good news, bad news kind of text. Stick with me for a moment, I’m going somewhere beyond the squeamishness.

The good news was that our cat had defended our home against an unwanted invader. The bad news, the “gift” left by our cat didn’t appear to be fully deceased when my daughter flipped the cat’s dish over it.  The very bad news, when I arrived home, I knew I needed to do something about it. After all, this situation wasn’t going to resolve by itself. As a responsible adult, I’d encountered what is affectionately included in job descriptions as “other duties as assigned.”

I took a deep breath and pressed the bowl tightly against the cardboard before lifting them together. I walked to the edge of the woods behind my house. With a swift motion… yeah, I’ll spare you the details and just say, the problem was solved.

There was no applause. There was no Mother-of-the-Year Award. The world didn’t notice. That’s when it hit me, often in life we’re nudged, even called to do things in our every day life that yield a similar feeling to the one I just had. We’re nudged to do something that challenges us but there’s no fanfare. It’s often what we choose to do when no one else is watching that we define who we are. It’s those moments that can shape our character and define our integrity. It can also be important in those times to remember:

Sometimes there’s no applause. The world may stay silent when you do the right thing. But, the right thing is right even if no one notices.
Sometimes we’re called to do “messy”. I merely needed to clean up after my cat. In life we might be called to help clean up after a big storm or flood. Or, we could teach our children to cook, or paint with toddlers. Kindness and love may take us to the intersection of compassion and messy. Embrace it!
Sometimes our victories don’t appear glorious, but they are still victories. Success is following through on the things we’re nudged to do despite our own insecurities, fears, and doubts. Victory may be taking a dinner to a neighbor in need despite past differences. Victory may simply be the discipline to follow through on that thing you know you need to do. Take the next step and be sure recognize which steps are victories.

I never expected that the overturned bowl in my kitchen would yield wisdom. I’m hoping beyond the ewww-factor it’s blessed you too.

Click to comment and join the conversation. What wisdom have you found true about doing the right thing? I’d love to hear from you.

The Surprise I Found at the Bottom

I tilted the container to get a better look. Something was hiding in the grey cement-like sludge at the bottom. I had already run my fingers through the thick muck to pull out each piece of glass that had sunk to the bottom of my rock tumbler.

Hoping to get a better look, I added a bit of water and swished it around. Slowly a piece began to emerge in the goo leftover from tumbling a batch of sea glass.

I added more water.  Soon the piece became even more pronounced. I had definitely missed it, nestled down in the muck. As the shape became visible, I was certain that it was a pale white, grey or light blue.

Imagine my amazement when I washed it off… the piece wasn’t white or grey at all, it was instead a brilliant Kelly green! I was shocked!

But isn’t that how it is in life?

When you get pulled in to the muck and mire, you no longer resemble yourself. You no longer resemble who you were created to be. You’re purpose, your impact, and your brilliance become hidden beneath the sludge of life.

A few symptoms that you’ve been pulled in to life’s muck:

You hide how you really feel.
Your fuse is short.
You just don’t feel like yourself.
You ignore your gifts and talents.
You’re living inconsistent with your values or beliefs.
You’ve lost your voice, your smile, or your humor, or all three.

What can you do to get out of the sludge?

Recognize it. Before you need a solution, you need to see there’s a problem. If you could answer ‘yes’ to some of the items in the list above, you’ve already taken the first step and recognized that something needs to shift.
Value yourself enough to seek change. Make getting out of the muck a priority. Search for opportunities to smile, laugh, be grateful, and use your talents. Also look for opportunities to shake off some of the things weighing you down.
Find people in your circle that you can be real with. Life isn’t meant to be lived as a pre-filtered social media-ready snapshot. It’s far messier than that. In life you can’t retake a moment ten different times and only keep the one you like the best. Find a few people you can trust and confide in. It will lift your spirits and you’ll likely find they have similar struggles.
Add margin. Find a way to regain margin. Margin is that ‘blank space’ that lets you come up for air. You wouldn’t read a book with no margin because if the words went all the way to the edge of the page with no space, it would be overwhelming. Find a way to add ‘breathe’ time to your schedule and bring back your margin. The space gives attention and value to the content that matters most.
Pray for discernment and peace. It can be hard to recognize how our patterns, and the people and things around us can weigh on us. Pray for the vision see the situation around you for what it is. Then pray for wisdom to help you move forward.
Get additional resources or help. If you’re feeling stuck in life’s sludge and can’t seem to move forward, it might be time to consult a life coach or counselor to help you navigate to a better place.

The piece from the bottom

The next time you’re feeling stuck or pulled into the trenches of life, remember this piece of glass. It didn’t look like itself and needed to be freed from the muck to reveal its beauty. You’re worth so much more to this world. You’re valuable and have a purpose. If you don’t look like yourself, adjust and show the world who you were created to be!

What do you think, would you have thought the piece was green from the above pictures? How do you recognize when you’re stuck in the muck of life? What do you do to get free? I’d love to hear from you. Why not join the conversation.

Wondering what I’m doing with glass in my rock tumbler? Check out my previous blogs with what I’ve been up to:

The Message I Found in a Bottle
The Unexpected Treasure in My Dad’s Shop: My Surprise Lesson in Brokenness