Have you ever felt like a squirrel on the hunt for the right
nut? Okay, maybe not, but have you seen the movie “The Nut Job” or “Ice Age”?
It seems they chase and try to find, but keep missing out on the one nut which may
make them happy.
You sit and watch television and what is the new appeal? You’re
missing out on a great product. Try something new. We have become a society
that has become a consumerism society with too many choices. There is impulsive
buying that entices you to pick up and buy. Such ideas are like the products on
the end caps in the retail stores to get you to buy this product even when it
isn’t on your list.
Maybe you are like me and single and looking for that one
nut. Maybe, nut is not the right term here, but I am trying to keep it light
and simple with humor. Do you ever get the feeling you’re missing out?
What about those plaguing questions that often can turn into
guilt or remorse: would have, should have, could have, these questions plagues
the mind like a house infested with termites. It can eat away at you and could
lead to being depressed. Harboring such
thoughts only makes the boat not sea worthy.
We can get into a “funk” and feel like something is missing
in our life and we jump to the first item that seems to make us happy. There is
an itch that seems we need to fix it right away. Often it is our mind that
plays the tricks on us to make us feel hungry and we need to satisfy that sweet
tooth with a candy bar. Ever done impulsive buying? Yup! Right there in the Wal-Mart
checkout stand staring right at your face is a nice cool drink, even though you’re
five minutes from the house, but you have to have it. Sure, it was good and it
is okay to embellish, but not to a point where there are regrets of feelings of
missing out.
Most of the descriptions above, could define me as a person
in the past. My faith was put on the anvil and I had to learn to f(orge) (my)
A(ttitude) I(n) T(usting) H(im). I had to learn to set healthy boundaries in
place in order to keep my mind pure and not judgmental. Finally, I had to let
go of control and allow Him to guide me. I have found myself more content in my
life with peace. How did I do it and not feel like I am missing out?
It wasn’t easy and life circumstances took a toll on me.
Cancer, but no worries, I am cancer free! Cancer taught me to change my
thinking (2 Cor 5:10) and had to captivate my thoughts and make them obedient
to Christ. Second, I had to learn to give my desires to the Father and let Him
guide me (Ps 37:4). Third, I had to
renew my mind (Rom 12:2). Finally, I had to learn to be content (Phil 4:11) and not jump to conclusions.
To stop missing out means I had to change my thoughts.
Meaning, music that I once liked, had to change because words do have an effect
on the mind. If you listen to words of “I am ashamed of who I become”, and
others may put you down or say you’re not good enough, only adds up in your subconscious
of the way you begin to view yourself. Music is healing and words can change your
outlook of your life. I enjoy Christian music because it is uplifting and
positive. It plants hope. Yes, there is
other music, which can do the same and I am only writing what has helped me.
Learning to be content in all things is a tough lesson. Rome
wasn’t built overnight and neither are we as individuals. Living in a society
where we want more “stuff” or biggie size to make us feel better doesn’t work.
Most are overweight because they are drawn to the food that enables them to
crave more. We have DVRs because we don’t want to miss our favorite shows.
Okay, well I have to admit DVR was a good invention so you can bypass those
commercials.
Missing out sometimes means learning from your mistakes and
learning there has to be sacrifices to be made. Blended families can be
challenging because your biological child has a concert while your step-child
has a football game. Will someone be hurt? Depends on how the situation is
handled and how supportive both parents are to the children. Missing out
sometimes means sacrificing we “think” we want, but realizing our actions are
hurting others.
Missing out sometimes is letting go of a person you truly
love and admire and allowing them to go through a painful discovery about
themselves all the while you are praying over them. Missing out means to let go
of the control and allowing your faith in the Creator to lead you. This is
painful, but I learned to embrace it and not be fearful of pain.
We fear pain because we do not understand it. We fear pain because we don't like the feeling. We ask the
questions of why or we do not have the answers to have closure. Missing out is
learning to let go and be patient about certain things in life. The bottom line
is learning to sacrifice your desires and wants in order to embrace a more
peaceful contentment of knowing things can turn out alright. It is allowing the
other person room to experience their choices, even when it is challenging to
watch them hurt. Now granted not saying to watch them embrace substances that continue to harm them. Tough love has to be in effect and get them help.
Missing out is learning to embrace who you are and lean not
on your own understanding. Sometimes it is learning to let someone you love and
care about go. If it was meant to be they will come back. If they choose not to
come back, then you embrace the moment and cherish the good moments.
Love is when he gives you a piece of
your soul, that you never knew was missing (Torquato Tasso)
How I look at things determines what I see. I can choose to
look at the negative in people and not like them. If I choose to find the
positive in people, and draw that out in them by my own actions and reactions
there is enough to like a person. Is a glass really half full or empty? At least you have something in the glass.
When we learn to let go, compromise, make those sacrifices,
we may miss out. Confidence grows in Christ with the attitude we can do all
things through Him, who strengthens me. Change is scary. It is easy to embrace
the familiarity of an abusive, predictable person, than to embrace a warm
loving relationship. It is learning to reevaluate the core belief system in
you. Don’t miss out on life by clinging on unhealthy thoughts and way of doing
things because that is what you have learned to embrace. Love is amazing when it is accepted. Embracing change sometimes misses out on the abusive situation, but allows you to see a wonderful relationship engulfed in love.
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Thank you for not missing out on this blog. I write from my
heart and my experiences and pray you will find encouragement. Be uplifted,
there are some things worth missing out on. Find a balance in your life and not
become squirrelly in chasing after a NUT! Step back and evaluate. When
you take your eyes off that one nut, there was a bigger pile behind it. Refocus
your thoughts. Sometimes it is okay to miss out.
By Faith,
Forging my Attitude In Trusting Him may you find peace and
happiness.
