Striving...

Of late, I've been doing a tremendous amount of soul searching.  I feel like I'm going through a mid life crisis trying to pin down who I really am.  It's been one tough journey, I can tell you.  Combine that with premenopause and major upheaval in losing my congregation several months ago.

Yeah, it's been tough, but enough of the pity party - I know this sounds like a cliche, but truly it's all part of that divine plan to bring me to that next level of maturity both emotionally and spiritually.

In my seeking, I've taken on the challenge of defining what I will and will not do in my life.  It's just a start, so bear with me.  I'm sure I'll be tweaking it as time goes on.  I must admit that I originally had 'determine to do my best to' instead of  'will' a the top of my lists.  I know I fail at times, so it was hard to be so definite.  How lame is that, though?  If I avoid being definite, then I always give myself an out for failure... not good. So, here's to making a stand.

I will:

~ honor and obey my G-d in all things - in my relationships especially.
~ give of my time and energy to help those the L-rd puts in my path.
~ pray with and for my friends, family, and others the L-rd brings to my attention.
~ listen.
~ step in and act when I see injustice.
~ work to make the lives of my friends and family easier.
~ offer encouragement and a smile to those who cross my path.
~ cry with those who are hurting.
~ fulfill my vows and obligations to the best of my ability.
~ take responsibility for my words and actions.
~ forgive myself for my failings.
~ forgive others when they hurt me.
~ give others the benefit of the doubt.
~ offer whatever support is needed in my role.

I will not:

~ compromise my beliefs.
~ intentionally disappoint my friends.
~ intentionally hurt anyone.
~ be impatient.
~ allow myself to be disrespected.
~ hold a grudge.
~ blame shift.
~ wallow in self pity.
~ judge others unfairly.

"Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of G-d in Meshiach Yeshua."  ~Paul to the Philippians