Wednesday, June 4, 2014

selfish. pride. anger. incivility.

There is something exhilarating about sitting down to write after going months without writing a paper, or answering an essay question, or having to think. I miss it- I miss school, I miss learning, I miss writing- so this is my outlet. One that I have left untapped for some time now.

Today as I sat in institute I listened as we discussed the natural man. We discussed four traits that can hurt relationships if not avoided. Those four being, selfishness, pride, anger, and incivility. We discussed what they were, why they were bad, and then how we could avoid these natural man tendencies. As we talked I could help but realize how selfish my life is right now, and it scared me. The more I thought the more I realized that i am in the extremely selfish time period of my life. I don't have a husband, I don't have kids... it's just me. Should this be an excuse? I have roommate who I can serve, I have a calling I can fulfill. There is so much around me that I can focus on besides myself, yet, MY life tends to take over my thoughts. So as I sat there I had the thought come- a challenge for myself- for the next week to focus on others. When I am in a group of people to not worry what people are thinking of me, but make sure I am focused on them. To not worry about what it is I am going to say, to genuinely care for those around me, to seek out ways to serve and not think about how it will impact me... the list can go on and on. Like anything good in life it takes practice, and so I will begin practicing, and while I might not be perfect at first I hope that as I try to emulate Christ I will find greater joy in the "selfish" time of my life.