Become Part of the Solution Instead of Part of the Problem . . .

“For everyone who much is given, of him shall much be required.”  Luke 12:48

When I went on my mission trip to Dulac, Louisiana in October of 2009, we had to come up with a verse that was our mission statement and this is the one we chose.  I never really thought much of it before leaving . . . but it had a whole new meaning when I returned from seeing the devastation that Louisiana was still left in years after Katrina with no more government help being offered. 

My thoughts before leaving on my first mission trip (my second was to Minagua, Nicaragua in September 2010), was that I was going to go in and help all of these people and, my, how grateful they would be!  I had visions of holding children and feeling somewhat “superior” because we were coming to “save” them.  Looking back, it sounds so egotistical, but if I’m being truthful (and vulnerable – which I’ve been working on), that’s exactly what I thought.  Little did I realize that even among the devastation that they were living in, they were the ones who gave me more than I could have ever hoped to give them.  I actually felt small compared to them. 

Our group of around 16 was broken up into 3 separate groups to help three different homes.  The group that I was on was to side a house and help in cleanup for a couple in their 60s – Ed and Helen.  I remember the first day after we said a prayer, Ed said to us, “I’m am really grateful for all of you coming to help us, but I want to let you know that even if you didn’t come, we are happy and grateful for everything that we have and have been given.”  And, I can tell you, he truly meant every word he said.  I wondered to myself if I would be that grateful if I was living in that house having to endure all that they had been through.  This leads me to my discussion for this blog.

I’ve been talking with a lot of people lately who are in a lot of pain in life.  I myself am going through some transformation in my life trying to figure everything out.  On top of our own pain, we are bombarded with nasty election campaigns, Aurora, Colorado, Syria, the wars in the middle east still and local tragedies.  How do we make any sense of all of this and how could we possibly find a sense of being grateful out of it?  I can tell you . . . its how we choose to process it and then figure out what we can do to help in our own corner of the world is where we will find gratefulness.  Instead of sitting on the couch complaining about what you think should be changed, why don’t you DO something about it to make it better?  I’ll give you a suggestion . . .

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION INSTEAD OF PART OF THE PROBLEM.

I always find it intriguing that people can post things on Facebook about the “wrongs” of their opposing party, can tell you in a conversation what’s “wrong” with your party and what’s right with theirs but yet it’s still all rhetoric . . . it’s no part of a solution to what they want to change.  Take the time that you post, spend on Facebook or try and persuade someone to believe what you believe (after all, that is what is great about this Country – the United States of America – is that it is a democracy and that each and every one of us has a choice in who we feel we believe our leader should be), and get out there and join a caucus or run for a local seat or office.  We all have freedom of speech, and I truly believe in that – it’s how I can write this blog.  But, unless you actually take action to change what you want to, then how can you complain? 

There are so many other ways to help people to become part of the solution helping globally or locally.  To support the troops in the middle east, adopt a soldier or a troop to support.  You can get a soldier to adopt from Soldier’s Angels at http://www.soldiersangels.org/.   Or, you can donate cups of coffee to the soldiers overseas at Green Beans Coffee (Cup of Joe) at http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/coj/.  If you want to help feed starving children in other countries you can serve at your local outlet for Feed My Starving Children at http://www.fmsc.org/.  Locally, you can help shelters like Simpson Housing at http://www.simpsonhousing.org/.  If you can’t serve, you can donate to them.  Whatever you are passionate about, believe me, there’s a place that you can find to help in donating your time or money.  I’ve served or given to all four of these and I’ve found that I’ve received much more in return than I ever gave to them – I receive gratefulness that I have what I have and that I can serve and donate. 

So, here’s my challenge to you.  Next time you just want to tell someone what should be changed in your area or in the world, instead of just talking about it . . . what can you tell someone you did to make it better?  I would love to hear about it! 

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”  Mother Teresa

“Not all of us can do great things.  But we can all do small things with great love.”  Mother Teresa   

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

Mother Teresa

Wishing you a life of love and gratefulness . . .

Tracey

What Does Independence Day Mean To You?

Happy 4^th of July!  Independence Day!  We celebrate with fireworks and parties.  Here in Minnesota it’s actually warm so we are usually grilling and out on the lakes celebrating our independence from the cold weather for at least another three months.  But have you ever really, really ever pondered what true freedom means for you?  Do you feel shackled in the situation you are in now and need to declare your own “Independence Day?” 

What is it that you want to declare your independence for?  Do you feel trapped or uncomfortable in your  body?  Are you in a relationship that has zapped you of your independence?  Is it an addiction you are shackled to?  Your job?  What is it in your life that you need to declare your independence from?

Most of us haven’t read the whole decree of the Declaration of Independence.  The one thing we do remember is the statement from it, “. . . that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”  These are your Rights.  Have you found your own Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of your own Happiness?  What is your Life like?  What makes you feel Liberated?  And most of all, have you pursued your own Happiness? 

What I know and what I keep realizing in doing life coaching is that the opinions of others may be well intentioned, but most of us don’t want to tell other people our dreams or our plans, for fear of others negating them – or having their own opinions about them (solicited or not).  I’m hopeful that most opinions of others are well intentioned, but usually miss the mark because of their own fears.

I have to admit that one of my personal (kind of embarrassing) indulgences is watching some reality TV.  I have been watching this show called “Miss Advised.”  It’s about a successful Matchmaker in New York, a Sex Columnist in New York and a Dating “Expert” in California.  What I have found amazing about this show (and disheartening) is that these people put themselves out as “experts,” telling people how to find love and having STRICT rules (when none of them are actually in a committed relationship themselves).  Here are some of the rules:  Don’t accept a date when they call the same day to ask to go out that evening, don’t call them after the date, wait for them to call you, don’t go out with anyone that doesn’t fit your “list.”  And, in actuality, all have broken every single rule themselves!  But what does make me optimistic about watching this show is that we all have the same habits.  Trying to tell someone what would be best for them but never following our own advice.

I love this quote from Dr. Wayne Dwyer, “Opinions are like armpits.  We all have them but most of them stink.” 

So, can you start working towards finding your independence in the area that you need to?  And doing this knowing that you don’t need others opinions to decide what you need to do?  I’ve talked about it before, but we all have a “gut” instinct about what is right or wrong for ourselves.  These feelings are based on our own, individual Core Values.  What someone else says they would put up with, may not be what you would.  What others say they would resolve themselves to, shouldn’t be what you do if you don’t feel it is right for you.  Follow your instincts and your heart.  And if those “well meaning” people can’t support you in your journey to your independence, then maybe it’s time to let them go in a loving way and find people that you have in your life or new people who are going to be supportive to help you with your journey towards independence. 

So, today is the day to declare your independence from what is holding you back!  You’re job is to decide what that is for you and to start taking steps to move towards gaining that independence back.  You’re journey starts . . . NOW!

“Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good.”  Thomas Paine

“Being happy doesn’t mean your perfect.  It just means you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”  Unknown

“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.  I can choose which it shall be.  Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet.  I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”  Groucho Marx

Love, Happiness and INDEPENDENCE . . .

Tracey