Hi Friend
I’m writing you from a plane Thursday night on my way to Orlando. I get to spend a day with my mom, brother and his family before jumping into the National Speakers Conference. No they didn’t ask me to speak, I’m just attending, hoping to walk away with one good idea and one good new relationship. I’m excited because Monica is going to be there too. We just keep making effort to get a little bit better.
This week has been a hodgepodge of experiences. Personally and professionally, I’ve had conversations that have challenged and stretched me. I’m navigating decisions and considerations I haven’t previously. Life continually offers the unexpected. As you might recall, I pick a word-a-month, instead of a word a year. I put it on my phone homepage over my third grade class picture.
Don’t ask me how that picture even showed up in my life. Probably when I moved and was going through old pictures. I loved Mrs. Rinehart, my third grade teacher. I was fortunate to have her as a Kindergarten teacher and then she moved up to third grade. Who doesn’t love their third grade teacher?! I attended Grant Street School… same school my dad attended, same school his mom attended. Then progress happened and Ashland University demolished it for a shiny new building.
I digress. The point wasn’t elementary, but faith. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, no one is making their way through the day without a healthy dose of faithbeing applied. The random unpredictability of our days smashing against the seemingly orchestrated serendipitous encounters that occur so frequently, certainly musters hope.
BELIEVE
The daunting UNKNOWN of tomorrow casts a foreboding shadow over today. The UNEXPECTED today disrupts our normal anticipation of routine. The UNANTICIPATED appearance of something from yesterday can startle deeply. Our belief system, structure and strength will guide us well or leave us in despair. Even with my practiced application of faith for many years, each new demand placed on it is a test of trust.
In younger days, I attempted to avoid the difficult. That fear-tendency diminishes the power of faith – which inherently is action. I do my best to lean in as intentionally and quickly as I can to engage reality these days. I’m a gifted procrastinator. I can put off the mundane to the truly meaningful for days, weeks, months and years. However, when it comes to all of the UN‘s (unknown, unexpected, unanticipated AND unwanted) I’ve developed a muscle to jump in head-first.
LOVE
Last month’s word was HOPE, so I imagine I’m going for the summer trifecta of goodness. Love is the key to bravery; Love of a person. Love of truth. Love of justice. Love of ourselves. Does boldness exist outside of love? Can we fall in love with entering awkward spaces? Is it possible to love the Land of UN? We live there so frequently, wouldn’t it be great if instead of dreading all of the UN’s, we made them our home?
The Land of UN simply represents a world beyond our control. When an UN appears it happens to us. Many find great solace and security in control. Interestingly, both love and faith are conscious releases of control. Have you ever tried to control someone you love? It creates the exact opposite of what love should feel like. Again, by definition faith is applying ourselves beyond ourselves; no control there.
Instigating Ideas…
1. Where’s one place you could exert faith intentionally this week?
2. Describe your belief system to someone.
3. Praise someone for being brave in the face of fear.
4. What area of your life do you need to relinquish control?
When they tore down Grant Street School Mrs. Rinehart took several of the bricks. When I went back for one of my high school reunion’s she gave me one. I love the foundational function of a brick. On it’s own, it isn’t good for much. However, combine it with several othersand it can withstand just about anything. The Land of UN can come in like an El Niño Torrential Hurricane Storm, but having a settled belief system rooted in faith and love can offer a shelter of security.
Living in the Land of UN
Every morning I wake up, I express gratitude for being alive. The entire day ahead of me is UN. As much as we make plans, put projects in motion and feel confident about our calendar it’s all a grand illusion. Health, job, relationships, finances and life itself can alter temporarily or permanently in an instant. As I said, whether you are spiritual or not, this animated endeavor is an act of faith. Let’s be intentional about it.
I hope this week you give up all control and experience a freedom in the reality that you didn’t really have it anyways. I hope you become more friendly with the UN’s & choose to lean in when they present themselves.