Strength Finder informed me a year and a half ago that I have the strength of "Responsibility." This is no surprise to me and probably not to those who know me, either. It makes me reliable to those who need me. It also makes my life extremely chaotic.
Anything I do, I want to do well. I also do not want to let down or disappoint those who are relying on me. As a result, even when I am over-committed, I find myself pushing through. If I back out of a commitment, the task now becomes a burden to someone else.
Enter Fall 2011.
I am working three jobs, taking 14 credits, auditing an additional 3 credits, involved in ministry at my church, participating with a chapel worship band, working out 3 days a week, meeting weekly with 2 individuals (not counting the 6 mentor meetings which I have as a part of one of my jobs), and trying to take care of my physical and social lives as well. Something has got to give. I barely have time for homework. One friend observed today that they have not seen me working on my homework once since school started 3 weeks ago; instead, I'm working on grading everyone else's (that's my other 2 jobs). His statement was pretty accurate.
So now comes the time when I let someone down. I say 'no' to something. I might even back out of one of my commitments. This stuff kills me.
Showing posts with label strengths. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strengths. Show all posts
September 16, 2011
January 3, 2011
Relaxing Productivity
It seems like an oxymoron. But there is something about scratching off items on a to-do list which can bring such a great relief that I finish the day feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Today was such a day. I am sure I lost count of the loads of laundry I completed - towels, blankets, sheets, clothes... Last terms' notebooks were emptied and the notes were filed away. Summer shoes were packed away for the winter (I still needed them when classes started in August!) and scarves were pulled out. It was a highly productive day!
On top of that, I also was able to stop by my grandma's and visit her for a couple hours this afternoon. With my mom we munched on coffeecake and grandma gossiped about church and her family and reminisced the wonderful days she used to share with grandpa. Its good to have her home and out of the hospital.
What makes a day like today, which was so full, feel so relaxing? On the one hand, I think it feel relaxing because, at 6:30 in the evening, I can relax with a days' worth of tasks completed. Additionally, I can also look at tomorrow and tomorrow's list is extremely shorter than today's list was! Its a breath of fresh air to have accomplished so much. It is a day which was filled with relaxing productivity.
Today was such a day. I am sure I lost count of the loads of laundry I completed - towels, blankets, sheets, clothes... Last terms' notebooks were emptied and the notes were filed away. Summer shoes were packed away for the winter (I still needed them when classes started in August!) and scarves were pulled out. It was a highly productive day!
On top of that, I also was able to stop by my grandma's and visit her for a couple hours this afternoon. With my mom we munched on coffeecake and grandma gossiped about church and her family and reminisced the wonderful days she used to share with grandpa. Its good to have her home and out of the hospital.
What makes a day like today, which was so full, feel so relaxing? On the one hand, I think it feel relaxing because, at 6:30 in the evening, I can relax with a days' worth of tasks completed. Additionally, I can also look at tomorrow and tomorrow's list is extremely shorter than today's list was! Its a breath of fresh air to have accomplished so much. It is a day which was filled with relaxing productivity.
December 22, 2010
The Importance of Involvement
I was reminded this morning of the importance of involvement and serving in the Body of Christ.
Growing up in the same church from the time I was 9 until I turned 27, I became involved in serving when I was 12. While there were brief moments when I was not involved due to my work schedule, for the most part I served at the church for 15 years. In the process of serving, I was fulfilled.
Serving was not only emotionally satisfying, it was also where I built relationships. Every Wednesday evening, Sherry and I would chat between activities with the children. Before I knew it, we were fairly close. A few times a month, I would play bass with the girls for worship. Before I knew it, we would be looking for each other on Sunday mornings.
A few months ago, through a series of events and circumstances, I have been looking for a church to call home. And this morning, it hit me: the reason why I don't feel "at home" in the churches I've visited is quite simply because I am not involved. I haven't invested myself in a home group and I haven't served inside the church either.
Serving and using my strengths will provide me with the opportunity to connect with other members of the church and begin to fulfill my purpose in the Body of Christ. After all, isn't that what we were called for?
Growing up in the same church from the time I was 9 until I turned 27, I became involved in serving when I was 12. While there were brief moments when I was not involved due to my work schedule, for the most part I served at the church for 15 years. In the process of serving, I was fulfilled.
Serving was not only emotionally satisfying, it was also where I built relationships. Every Wednesday evening, Sherry and I would chat between activities with the children. Before I knew it, we were fairly close. A few times a month, I would play bass with the girls for worship. Before I knew it, we would be looking for each other on Sunday mornings.
A few months ago, through a series of events and circumstances, I have been looking for a church to call home. And this morning, it hit me: the reason why I don't feel "at home" in the churches I've visited is quite simply because I am not involved. I haven't invested myself in a home group and I haven't served inside the church either.
Serving and using my strengths will provide me with the opportunity to connect with other members of the church and begin to fulfill my purpose in the Body of Christ. After all, isn't that what we were called for?
October 7, 2010
God's strength and power
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Sometimes I am so thankful for the pain that wracks my body. Those moments are typically preceded by times when I wish I could be free of pain and live like a normal human being.
During the times when I wish for healing, I get frustrated. Recently, the pain has been causing uncontrollable groaning. I wake myself up in the middle of the night because I am whimpering from the pain and discomfort. Sometimes, when I'm not feeling prideful, I ask for prayer.
And sometimes healing comes. Not complete healing. And not permanent healing. But relief comes. God gives me the strength to do the task in front of me (tonight, the task was finishing a paper and studying for a midterm). It is in these moments when I feel God's power rest upon me.
I might still be uncomfortable. I might still be in pain. But God's power fills where my weakness fails.
"The Lord gave and the LORD has taken away.Blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21b)
Sometimes I am so thankful for the pain that wracks my body. Those moments are typically preceded by times when I wish I could be free of pain and live like a normal human being.
During the times when I wish for healing, I get frustrated. Recently, the pain has been causing uncontrollable groaning. I wake myself up in the middle of the night because I am whimpering from the pain and discomfort. Sometimes, when I'm not feeling prideful, I ask for prayer.
And sometimes healing comes. Not complete healing. And not permanent healing. But relief comes. God gives me the strength to do the task in front of me (tonight, the task was finishing a paper and studying for a midterm). It is in these moments when I feel God's power rest upon me.
I might still be uncomfortable. I might still be in pain. But God's power fills where my weakness fails.
"The Lord gave and the LORD has taken away.Blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21b)
August 27, 2010
A feeling of welcome
I am so blessed to be a part of the Student Leadership Team! Not only do I have an amazing team for my program, but my team is a part of a larger purpose within the Student Leadership team. Apart from the excitement of this, I feel extremely blessed...
One of the other teams is the Resident Life Team. These guys and gals are awesome! They give of themselves to the people in their dorm section 24/7 - and enjoy it! Its amazing to watch them at work and see their hearts of servitude and love. Its also amazing to see their strength of includer come out. They've been so great at welcoming and including the new students this weekend! But beyond that, they've also been great at including me.
Tonight, they decided to have a movie night and they invited me to join them. I was a little nervous that some of them might wonder why I was there, since I am not an RA. I needn't have worried. Several expressed their thankfulness that I had joined them. It made me feel so welcomed and, well, included. Which makes me pause to wonder... How do I make others feel?
Part of my job in my new role is to make others feel welcomed and accepted as they come into the commuter living room. This is not a natural strength for me. Will I be able to make the new (and returning) students feel as welcomed and accepted as I did when I came as a new student or as loved and appreciated as I did earlier tonight? This will be my aim in the coming weeks.
One of the other teams is the Resident Life Team. These guys and gals are awesome! They give of themselves to the people in their dorm section 24/7 - and enjoy it! Its amazing to watch them at work and see their hearts of servitude and love. Its also amazing to see their strength of includer come out. They've been so great at welcoming and including the new students this weekend! But beyond that, they've also been great at including me.
Tonight, they decided to have a movie night and they invited me to join them. I was a little nervous that some of them might wonder why I was there, since I am not an RA. I needn't have worried. Several expressed their thankfulness that I had joined them. It made me feel so welcomed and, well, included. Which makes me pause to wonder... How do I make others feel?
Part of my job in my new role is to make others feel welcomed and accepted as they come into the commuter living room. This is not a natural strength for me. Will I be able to make the new (and returning) students feel as welcomed and accepted as I did when I came as a new student or as loved and appreciated as I did earlier tonight? This will be my aim in the coming weeks.
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