Always Working On It

 
"Love is a choice" I'm pretty sure we've all heard or seen this at some point in our lives and, typically, it's referring to marriage. But......love is a choice in any and all situations.
When a friend unknowing hurts you, choose to love
When a friend knowingly hurts you, choose to love
When someone you know is crazy annoying in your opinion, choose to love
When someone is driving horribly around you, choose to love
When your spouse fails you, choose to love
When someone has gossiped about you, choose to love
When someone you barely know hurts you, choose to love
When someone cheats you, choose to love
When anyone does anything to you that hurts, angers or produces any negative reaction, CHOOSE TO LOVE!

"Love is PATIENT, love is KIND. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Cor. 13:4-7

We need to be the change we want to see.....don't think for a second that it's ok to treat others poorly just because they might or have. It's not.....it never will be. You change, you love, you be gracious, you turn the other cheek. It's difficult, it's hard, it's a process and will be something you stive towards for the rest of your life but do it.....do the unexpected in today's world. Surprise people <3

TinaMarie

Lesson 1 to 6.

I left the house and thought out loud, “I should change my pants. Meh!” I was just cycling for a hour and assumed it would be fine, since I already had five additional layers to tackle the crisp cold Alberta air.

Lesson one: always listen to your intuition. I should have changed my pants.

On route, I couldn’t help but think of the quote by Frederick Buechner and the last ten years of my life.  At seventeen, I recall reading his words and vomiting in my mouth with disgust.  It seemed impossible to find that exact place, since he outlined, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” I’ll confess I’ve been looking for that place for a while, countless years actually, and I’ve taken a variety of detours, endured major and minor hiccups, and wrestled through countless “ops that happened” type moments.

Lesson two: find it. I don’t care how long it takes you to get there… Find it!

And then it donned on me…I’ve found it!

Lesson three: an excited cyclist may result in potential injury.

The excitement overtook my spirit and in the quest to conquer the ragging hill ahead, I somehow managed to tangle my yoga pants in my bike chain. For anyone watching, I can ensure you it was a gracious fall, yet never the less I crumbled to the ground.

I found it! Ironically, I awkwardly fell at the same point and miserably tangled myself in my bike chain. But… then I got back up.

Lesson four: get back up.

I don’t care how close you’ve come to finding it, you will fall periodically, yet don’t forget to get back up and fight for that passion. I can acknowledge that I’ve fallen and I’ve literally hit roadblocks that seem impenetrable and far from possible. If it helps, I’ll list a few that outline possible moments of sheer failure. For example, I became a nurse and the day I graduated I said, “This is only temporary.”  I returned to Alberta to restore a broken relationship with my ex-fiancé and it lead to two years of utter silence. I had a seizure and then a few more; consequently, for eight months I was on seizure precautions. Later, I hit a moose, a miracle to be alive, and three weeks later I broke my ankle. Though I always believed there had to be purpose, something more and an even grander reason, in why I was created.

Lesson five: You were created for purpose.

For myself, I can honestly say that I desire to live a life set apart and speak life into the very lives of central Alberta, the nation, and the world.  I hope to lead and inspire others to understand their purpose and their specific call upon their life. Frederick Buechner was right, since he advised, “Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”

Lesson six: life is about moments.

Today, I am thankful for the moment to pursue my Masters in Arts in Leadership and Management.  I am beyond blessed to have found a piece of my passion!

If your reading this today, I encourage you to listen to the song that I've linked below. May you FIND it and NEVER give up on your PASSION!

Charlene