Mingle2 - Philadelphia Singles
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Many times we get stressed out because we have some big, overwhelming projects on our to do list. I am in the process of downsizing and getting ready to move, which means cleaning out the 20' wide, 5' deep, shelves floor to ceiling closet in my basement. I opened it up last week, and thought...where do I start? We have lived in this house for 21 years. Our children have gone through college, married, and moved out, and yet we still have boxes of toys and other mementos from their childhood. I was overwhelmed just opening the door! So how do you tackle overwhelming projects? Here's a list of steps to help you:
1. Figure out exactly what needs to be done... set some goals. My goal for the basement closet was to get rid of things that haven't been used in years and to organize and store properly the things I was planning on moving to the next house.
2. List everything that is connected to the project. I listed things like label a box for each of the kids to go through. Designate some boxes for trash. Mark a box for donate/yard sale. Buy some bins for all the Christmas decorations, have some extra boxes on hand for anything that I was unsure of.
3. Make a list of supplies that you need to purchase. I bought some plastic bins and some banker boxes that could be used for storage or sorting and could be broken down if they weren't used but I wanted to save them for later.
4. Figure out how much time you have to get the project done and break up the project into manageable pieces. I have about six months before our new house is built and ready to move into. I wrote out a schedule for getting the closet done.
Here is how I divided the project:
After I got going on the project I realized that I needed a few more divisions. I had boxes of photographs that had not been labeled or dated so I put them all in one box. I also needed some boxes for toys that we were going to keep for the grandchildren.
5. Once you know what needs to be done and how much time you have you can schedule tasks on your calendar and even send yourself reminders to get things done. I use http://www.hassleme.co.uk/ to send myself reminders for things that I might tend to put off.
For other projects you might even want to make your list and then circle the things that absolutely have to be done in red and then schedule only those things. Any additional things you get done will make you feel even better about yourself and the project!
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"Ordinary people have the power to change other people's lives. The power is found in connection...powerful people believe in what others could become because the believe the good that exists deep within every regenerate heart is potentially stronger than all the bad that is there. Powerful people accept the challenge to identify, nourish, and release the life of God in others by connecting with them."
"...then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:2-3
As a counselor in training I learned many theories and techniques. I read some of the works of the brightest minds in the psychology and counseling field. But when you boil them all down, there are no theories that match the ability that we have as Christians to be a conduit of God's love and mercy. My most powerful technique as a counselor is just being with my clients. Allowing them to share their deepest wounds and deepest dreams. Bringing out the best in them as they learn to connect in a healthy way. May God help me to continue to be the conduit that connects lost and hurting people with the living God who can heal them and make them whole.
Every family has a personality. I'm sure you have seen it. Some families love each other deeply but fight all the time. Others are quiet, stoic, and seldom express emotons. Some are touchy/feely - they hug and kiss at every meeting and parting. Others slap each other on the back or shake hands but would never think of kissing their relatives.
"Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you." - Thomas JeffersonCheck out this great offer:
Award Winning Parenting Book Offered as a Free Download for Valentine's Day
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Mission Hills, CA (PRWEB) February 13, 2008 -- Since being released last year, families worldwide have turned to the award winning book, "Bonding While Learning," to instill a love of reading in their children while teaching them to read and write. To celebrate Valentine's Day, "Bonding While Learning's" publisher is offering the new eBook edition as a free download between February 13th and March 5th.
Stress Management professionals often use the term mindfulness as a state of mind that reduces stress. Although I am certified in stress management I often have a problem reconciling modern stress management techniques with the Bible. Psychologist and mindfulness meditation teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn defined mindfulness as: "paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally." The interesting thing about modern psychology is that, as Solomon in Ecclesiastes says, there is nothing new under the sun! Every psychological principle can be found in the Bible. Unfortunately, men take Biblical principles and twist them to fit their understanding. Mindfulness meditation is really godly meditation minus God. Kabat-Zinn was on the right track until he used the words “non-judgmentally.” The Buddhist practice of mindfulness encourages it’s participants to empty themselves of desire to reach nirvana. However, the Bible tells us “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3. Although we, as Christians, are to be mindful, we have to be careful of anything that asks us to empty ourselves in a way that directly opposes Biblical principles.
As a Christian counselor I often teach clients how to relax through meditation. Philippians 4: 6-9 is the Biblical basis for meditation: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
So, the next time you’re stressed out, practice mindfulness…not by emptying your mind but by filling your mind with the things of God…and the God of peace will be with you!
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1. Maggiano’s Little Italy - Lasagna 2. Cheesecake Factory – Orange Chicken 3. Wildfire – Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut 4. Pizza Hut – Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza 5. Little Joe’s – Baked Rigatoni with Ricotta 6. P.F. Changs – Crispy Honey Chicken 7. Ben Pao – Sesame Chicken 8. Chili’s – Lettuce Wraps 9. T.G.I.Fridays – Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad 10. Applebees – Oriental Chicken Rollup 11. Monical’s Pizza – Thin Crust Pepperoni Pizza with Monical's® Sweet & Tart Salad Dressing 12. Quiznos Sub – Honey Bacon Club 13. Aurelio’s – Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza |
When we get married we repeat our vows...really meaning them, but not really understanding the implications of the words we repeat. A great exercise for a couple to do is to take the words from our vows and think about what they mean. Set aside some time to go through these individually and then with your spouse. Write each phrase at the top of a separate piece of paper and write how your marriage has lived up to the vows you made on your wedding day:
