For the select few people that happen upon this blog occasionally, I’m not sure if you’re aware of this fact but you’re one of few. 😄 It’s no surprise or disappointment that the frequency of visitors is very minimal from day to day, week to week; and truth be told, the general site actually exists as an attempt at personal growth, stepping outside of my comfort zone to put myself out there and something I’ve produced (photography), exposed to a generously or selectively-critical world. The blog, however, it’s target audience has always been its author – me – serving as a means by which I could revisit moments from my past for a smile, a renewal of thankfulness/praise, a reminder of a goofier time, or simply for a wake-up call.
Lately I’ve been struggling with professional peace of mind regarding my actual 9 to 5’er, and have been wondering what to make of it and potentially what to do about it. Naturally I’m praying about it and listening for God’s voice in it and will about it; but I was also reminded (possibly a byproduct of His voice as well) of a post I’d written and locked away almost a year ago that helped me secure a bit more perspective on the matter. (As mentioned, it was secured from any eyes other than my own previously, due to the very personal nature of it. But I’ve decided to unlock it, seeing it’s being referenced here, in case it helps someone reading that might be experiencing something similar.)
The post touched upon and was originally written with thoughts about relationships in mind, but expanded on other parts of life with regards to perspective – the basic idea that as human beings we’re so very quick to take the “glass half empty” approach to the things and situations in our lives, vs. considering things from a “glass half full” viewpoint and essentially counting our blessings. I’m absolutely guilty of it, despite being surrounded by more love and blessings and opportunities and “stuff” than I could’ve ever imagined would be available to me based on my beginnings or my worthiness. And re-reading that blog entry from so many months ago just woke me up to that fact, and helped me to gain a much needed, refreshed outlook on my current situation. Sure, my job can be frustrating – maddening at times – but there’s security in it during a time when that’s at a minimum for many; and there’s provision enough to live modestly but comfortably, and to be able to be a blessing to others. That is a tremendous benefit in today’s world, and is definitely not a guarantee.
To be clear, replaying your blessings and fortune over and over isn’t a cop-out or an excuse for inaction, but is a chance to consider all the facts about a situation and remove the cloud of emotion in the moment, which could lead instead to brash and unrecoverable action.
So for now, I’m content – in the recollection of the many things for which I should be thankful, in the faith that God will direct me in the way and direction best for me to fulfill His perfect will (and that everything will be “ok”), and in the realization that future me still has so much to learn. Obviously past me was well aware… 😄