Skip to main content

So many hats...

As working women, we wear a LOT of hats, so to speak.  When I rolled out of bed this morning, I wasn't sure which one to reach for, but I sure needed some kind of hat!
Out of habit--one of my good ones--I picked up my iPad and plopped onto the couch with a cup of coffee, opening up my Bible app (plopped down softly, I should add, since I had no desire to wake the dog yet)...
Reading the daily Proverb really helps grease the wheels in my mind and spirit.  Today's Proverb begins with "The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."  This struck me as being SO appropriate for Day 2 of our revitalization process.  As soon as I read it, I thought about my horrible habit of procrastination, my inclination to be introverted, my reluctance to face daily challenges...what am I afraid of?
What is it in my psyche that cowers from the spotlight?  I absolutely hate to do anything to draw attention to myself--I'm totally happy being in the background of whatever project I'm pushing.  Why is that? 
A long time ago, I told someone that humility has a pride of its own, not completely understanding the wisdom of that statement at the time (I was 16, I think, when I made that profound assessment of someone who was driving me absolutely bonkers with his so-called humility).  It now strikes me that, perhaps, shrinking away from attention is more of an issue than a virtue.
What are we running from?  Those of us in the habit of brushing off every compliment need to reconsider whether we are just being properly modest, or whether we STILL, at the age of 40, even, have the same self esteem problem we had at 13.  Are we so undeserving? 
Instead of allowing our imaginary shortcomings to run away from every simple pat on the back, we should try to find that confidence that is as bold as a lion.  Take a self-assessment today of your abilities.  Don't short-change yourself--look at how much you have accomplished through the eyes of those that appreciate you. Instead of comparing yourself with the ridiculously false images you see on TV, or even with the imaginary self that you think you could have been, if only.... Compare yourself with who and what you were ten years ago.  Have you learned, grown, and changed for the better?  Do you understand the impact, now, of things in your past?  Even if you've made mistakes or wrong choices, if you KNOW it now, then you have grown stronger from that experience.
Pick yourself up today, and smile in the mirror at the lady God intends you to be---happy, peaceful, successful, in everything that you do, in some way or another.  Tell yourself you have nothing to fear, nothing to run from, and you are more that capable of overcoming everything that challenges you today.
You DO wear a lot of hats, and you wear them well!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

#INSUFFICIENT Part 3...Running on empty

Every day, in some way or another, we seem to come up short. Our output exceeds our income, and we are "in the red" when it comes to so many things, such as time, energy, money...even enthusiasm. Being tapped out seems to have become the norm, as we chase every opportunity, pursue countless friendships, enlist ourselves in every new cause, and rack up accomplishments, jam-packing our resumes, calendars, and Facebook friends list until we don't have a single spare moment to ourselves. From the outside, it looks like a "full life;" on the inside, it feels pretty empty. How can something so empty feel so heavy? First of all, "more" isn't necessarily "better." Have you ever been behind a group of tween girls ordering their drinks in a coffee shop? They like the fru-fru girly coffees, with lots of sugar, calories, and every possible option, extra this, extra that...Aside from taking FIVE-EVER (I just learned this term from my daughter-...

Obligations

So, you made it through Monday, presumably... How many days have we wished away, that could have been significant in our life--or the life of another--if we had only "exerted ourselves," as Jane Austen so beautifully described it? So many things we know we should do--yet we don't. Yesterday, my husband traveled hundreds of miles for a 30-minute funeral, but I had encouraged him to go. It was important to the family, overall, but especially meaningful to the immediate family of his great uncle, who passed away.  Many times in our lives, we have these opportunities. Sometimes we take them; sometimes we do not. I have found that I always regret NOT going, rather than the reverse. It made me think -- it's time to look at our social and familial obligations in a different way. Once I read something written by a life coach who encouraged the philosophy of taking each day more deliberately--especially in the way we verbalize it. Instead of "I have to go to the st...

#INSUFFICIENT, Part 2: The underdog.

I think we all experience those moments when we feel like a big fat fraud (not intending to allude to my weight struggles, here, honestly). Those moments when you turn around from your accomplishments and accolades to face your fears and failures, and there you are--just a girl. Nobody special. The underdog. Long before King David was king, he was a ruddy little forgotten youngest brother. In 1 Samuel chapter 17, you can find an account of the day when the illustrious prophet arrived at Jesse's house to anoint the next king. One by one, Jesse proudly lined up his big, strong, handsome sons--educated, accomplished, well-trained for battle...if they had been sons in this day and age, the proud dad would have certainly had racks and racks of towering, gleaming trophies lining the walls of his man cave--scores of monuments to the big strapping boys' accomplishments. One by one, the prophet Samuel looked them over. One by one, he declared, "No, this is not the one."...