Skip to main content

On Not Staying Down




If the first thought I have when I open my eyes in the morning is that I didn't do enough the previous day, or didn't put the amount of effort I should have in, or even that I'm a failure in general, I need to change something. That's been my first inclination numerous times, and I'm not talking about changing it only by pressuring myself more. That isn't going to help any. It won't help me, and anyone who struggles with feeling insufficient. 

 One of the best things I've learned from playing a sport, is that the ability to pick yourself up from the floor can save the game. When the other team has a staggering lead and you expect you'll fail, you'll probably not perform well. When you decide that you're going to lose because that's what it looks like, you have a higher chance of loosing.
The best athletes are the ones who can return from making mistakes and succeed because they stay hopeful, they keep their heads up, they keep fighting.

 It's what I want to do every day. 

 But usually, I start out with seemingly good expectations. I begin to procrastinate a bit, and I lose focus. Evening approaches and whatever I've been tackling looks monstrous. I have three assignments due, nanowrimo needs to get done, I need to work on my devotions, I haven't run,  and all I want to do is lie on the floor. 

 Please understand I think resting is necessary. You shouldn't run yourself ragged. The detrimental thing here is thinking you're bound to fail. I keep a mental list of what I feel I should do, and that list has caused me a great deal of anxiety. When I don't get everything done, or at least what other people might be doing, I get overwhelmed. And I'm not the only one.

 Taking a break to cool off is very helpful, but the task at hand won't ever be completed until we come back to it. I might be too optimistic here, but, I firmly believe everyone is more capable than they think they are. The attitude thing, as difficult as it is, can impact the performance. 

 Please do not wake up already in defeat. When we do that, we often fall asleep at night not feeling content but burdened. You can be capable of doing great things, you can find strength from Christ, but you don't have to lose your identity in him by looking for it in achievement. 

Sometimes, I just need to lay on the floor, but sooner or later, I got to get back up.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Labor

But it would be so easy to” -  but we are not called to do what’s easy.  There is none other like it. Sin calls us away from all other good things, our time, our energy, our strength, our allegiance. Sin is one which further brands something deep within our skin, and while we are covered by grace, the word ‘sinner’ seems more applicable than ever while we’re giving in to it. It (sin) seems then to be the whole of our identity. I wish I could tell you how much I've struggled with this, how often I have let sin take the upper hand. Short lived relief is avoiding it . Whatever it may be.  He has called us to a greater light. Anything greater than what we have, than the basic requires a struggle. Forgiveness of sins requires a sacrifice. Victory requires defeat. A peace requires knowing fear.   We are to take hold of the moments we have, with a white knuckled grip. Sin is always a pressing thing, one shining in its momentary glory, promising o...
Post a Comment
Read more

On Writing, this Year

Setting goals and making schedules is a new thing I'm working on this year, these are just a few off the top of my head. Finishing GRAVES, a Christian Crime Novel I've about a third way done writing. Beginning a new novel, and finishing that this year. Editing GRAVES. Blogging once a month, at least. Reading two to three books per month. Expanding the variety of what I read. Getting to know more bloggers !
Post a Comment
Read more

Creativity?

From January until basically April I've always found it difficult to stay motivated. It's still dark outside for longer, it's colder, and definitely windier.  The holiday season and all of its glory lies behind us, and people usually feel pressure to make the new year so much better than before that get burned out by February. The mood I find myself in is once again being tired and stressed all the time, and I'm sure others can relate. I don't want this to become something I just become resigned to. It's my Junior year of high school, and it may be difficult to stay on task but I don't want to be miserable. 2018 may not be the year to complete our bucket lists, and get everything done that we want done this year. If we find ourselves still wrestling with things, trying to start over and leave bad habits behind in February, that's okay. If we're there again in March, April, or May, it's okay. May we be reminded that God's mercies a...
Post a Comment
Read more