Know Thyself

I recently went for a walk and took this photo. The funny thing was I really couldn't see well nor look directly at the tree while snapping the picture because the sun was so bright. Since having cataract surgery I notice that being outside is difficult because the brightness does hurt my eye. I know that will change as my eye heals. But when I got home I thought this was a neat shot with the tree standing alone, the sun shining through the branches and the shadows on the ground. There was beauty in the stark branches against the backdrop of the snow.

I love taking nature pictures. I love getting out and hiking. I enjoy being creative. God has wired me to be able to do many different things, to be able to do them quickly and do them fairly well. And yet, so often, I keep trying to stick to one thing. I think, "I have to stop doing multiple things and only do this thing." And every single time I attempt that I find myself sinking into feelings of being down and depressed. 

It has finally occured to me that while there are times when I need to focus on the task ahead of me to it's completion (which I do), that it's silly to try and be someone that God didn't create me to be. He has given me the personality, gifts, and talents I have. He has allowed experiences in my life that have shaped me into the woman I am today. So rather than fight against that, I'm learning to understand who I am and how I am wired and work within that framework. And I'm also learning that it doesn't matter what other people think about what I should be doing. The only one I should be trying to please is the Lord.

And I think that is something we would all do well to learn  be who you were created to be   Stop comparing and stop trying to create someone else’s life   

Should we try to improve ourselves? Absolutely! But stop trying to conform to someone else’s idea of who you should be.  Be the woman or man God made you to be. 

One of my goals this year is to do exactly that and to do more of the things that bring me joy. 

Of course, I love writing and will continue to do that. I actually have a couple of books in the works.

But I'll continue to create in the kitchen:

In the sewing room:

Through photography:

In ministry: 

In the community (participating in our local farmer's market beginning this Saturday):

I've learned that being alone and isolated is 100% not good for my state of mind. I do enjoy those times of quiet and time alone to recharge, but I also know that 24/7 alone time is not how the Lord has wired me. I get energy from being around people and so that is something I need on a regular basis. It doesn't have to be daily, but it certainly can't only be once or twice a week.

I am taking time each day to sit and spend time in the word and prayer. I spend much time seeking the Lord as I consider opportunities. I do say "no" to many things, but I also say "yes" to those things that fit into the ministry He has given to me. 

Today is a day that I've set aside to do nothing but sit and rest as my second cataract surgery is this morning at 10:15. I worked ahead to prepare for Saturday's market so if I need to rest tomorrow too I can do that. Everything is labeled and ready to go so today can be about recuperating and relaxing.

Knowing who you are and how you are wired is an important step in emotional intelligence. Learning to understand that will also help you know just how much or how little you can do. It also helps you know what things bring life to your spirit and which things zap the energy out of you. 

It's taken me a long time to understand certain things about myself and to be okay with how God has wired me. And my desire is to bring Him glory in all I do. I want to live my life in a way that points to Him.