God's Providence

I can't sleep, so I figured that I might as well write down what's running through my head.

I am in complete awe of God's loving mercy and incredible grace. I have had some of the biggest challenges of my life in the last 6 months. Yet, I still know that I am profoundly blessed by God's grace. Even through the struggles and the hardships - God has revealed His glory and brilliance.

I have always believed that the devil attacks those who strive to do God's work. The devil especially attacks those who are in close communion with God. I have always believed this to be true. However, after being exposed to the devil's attacks... I KNOW this to be true. I did believe before, but it has become SO real.

Ever since I began my new job, there have been ups and downs all throughout. I know that successes and failures will come and go all the time; but, knowing something doesn't always prepare you for living through it. I found myself allowng the rollercoaster of successes and failures to determine my emotional state. This is not healthy. So, lately, I have tried my best to detach myself from those works and keep in mind that I have been called here to do God's work to the best of my ability, and delight in that work, no matter what the outcome. This is quite a challenge, but worth the effort.

Amidst attempting to keep myself detached from particular outcomes - I am also trying to detach myself from being discouraged by major roadblocks along the way; and working to discover the positive side of these things.

Most recently - I have had relentless issues with my car. It's funny because, every time, I think to myself... oh wow, it definitely could be worse. I just hope and pray that if I keep saying this - it doesn't continue to get worse, haha. It started with my breaks rusting out in a parking lot and basically exploding break fluid all over the place. I had to get it towed and all that fixed. But, praise God it happened when (and where) it did - because I was headed on a 12 hour trip in just a few days. Next, my car gets backed into by another person. THANKFULLY, no severe damage was done, just a dented bumper. I may still look into getting it fixed. However, just today... my tire went flat. I knew I needed to get new tires and was planning to get them looked at soon - but apparently they really couldn't wait one more day. (The latest I was going to have them checked out was going to be Monday.) Once again, praise God it happened when (and where) it did. I was on my way to a (nearby) discussion group. Thanks be to God that my friends were able to help me out and this did not occur on my 4-5 hour trek back from Kansas City. My guardian angel certainly has a rough job and is doing it very well.

After all this (and more), I have learned so much. I have learned about myself, how I deal with things -- and more importantly, how I can better deal with things. If anything, all these transitions in my life are allowing me the opportunity to better myself. I'm discovering new ways to cope through the trials of life and methods to help enrich the opportunities laid before me. I have discovered that it is better to embrace the suffering granted to me instead of despairing in it. I have taken this time to better develop my spiritual, social, physical and emotional aspects of life. I'm on different levels with each one, of course; but am granted the opportunity to grow in each area. I am very blessed and for that I am thankful. Praise be to God.

Time Management 101

168.

That is an important number. Why? That is the number of hours you have this week to make the most of your time.

What is most important to you? With what do you spend most of your time? If the answer to these two questions isn't even comparatively similar, something is awry.

I just attended a talk this evening given by a very contemplative man, Mr. Harry Kraemer Jr. The topic was titled "Being Catholic in the Corporate World: Becoming a Values-Based Leader." However, I feel that the talk could've been more appropriately titled, "Values-Based Time Management 101." Mr. Kraemer held great passion behind everything he said and was incredibly engaging. He highlighted several things that must be taken into account when living a life comprised of so many factors. The key elements he pointed out that are necessary to live a successful life -- successful, that is, by one's own standards, not standards of others -- are as follows:

• Self-Reflection
• Balance
• True Self-Confidence
• Humility

I think the most thought-provoking thing he said was this: “If you’re not self-reflective, do you really know yourself? If not, then can you lead yourself? And if you can’t lead yourself, then how can you lead other people?”

This talk has given me a lot of things to reflect on and think about. Where DO I spend my time? When a day "flies by," what is that supposed to mean? It's easy to lose track of time when you're doing things that have no possible time-measurement. Good examples of these are TV, the internet, etc. Sometimes time can fly by and it's perfectly OK. However, we need to be watchful of where the majority of our time is being spent. I know that I am guilty of spending my time in areas of little significance. I don't always prioritize and I am aware that I need to work on that.

Another good example Mr. Kraemer mentioned is keeping track of where we place others on our "priority list." If you lose track of how many times someone who is important to you asks to spend some time together... that person may stop asking. You must reflect on the times you have felt the need to turn someone away or deny them your time. Was it really for something that took priority over that person or was it just inconveniencing you? I am by no means admitting that I am immune to doing this. In fact, I am sad to say -- upon reflection, I have done this many times.

Another thought from tonight that is worth contemplating is one that I will leave you with. Take the time to reflect and grow in evaluating where your time is spent. Mr. Kraemer put it very well:

"So many of us confuse activity with productivity -- are we truly being productive, or just active?"