Month: September 2014


Sep
2014

The Struggle is Real

categories: Sincerely Reflected
I was thinking about the challenging times I have at work, in life, in love, in faith, in hope, in self discovery… 
My default response to these struggles has normally been to say something like, “it will get better soon” or “this too shall pass.”. Sometimes that is sound encouragement but sometimes the lesson or the growth is in the struggle.
If that is true, then to wish the struggle away is to wish away -and potentially miss- the opportunity to grow, to expand my personal development, and to become transformed.
Even as I write this, I struggle, because I know it’s true, but hypocritically still want to not struggle. I don’t want to experience emotional turmoil and overwhelming uncertainty. I don’t want to experience financial stress or vocational heartache. I think that’s human nature though… To avoid discomfort.
Interestingly, in my life, growth seems to be more frequently birthed from times of struggle, than from times without struggle. So maybe it’s time I change the way I view the struggle, see it more as a personal trainer for my faith, skills, love, and abilities, rather than as something which seeks to destroy me. Moving forward may I learn and grow in the seasons I’m in no matter how difficult the experience. And may you remind me, as needed, that when I’m struggling I’m growing and being refined. 

Sep
2014

Life in Movie Analogy

categories: Sincerely Reflected

I was thinking about how our lives are like movies.

Someone on the outside looking in could see the mishaps, the follies, and know it’s all going to work out in the end and that there will be a beautiful ending despite the “scenes” of our lives and all their content. But for us, the “characters”, we can’t step back and see that.

Think about:

  • The “soundtracks” of our lives: the music that speaks to us or about our circumstances… 
  • The “supporting actors”: our family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances… 
  • The dramatic climaxes: experiences building in intensity until at last giving way to the revealing of tried but true friendships, self-reflection, self-awareness, overcoming heart wrenching trials and experiencing heartwarming triumphs, expected and unexpected love…

And all these coming together to create an unimaginable outcome resulting in our own realization that everything has not been in vain and all is truly okay.