My mom used to do True Colors trainings at one point in her career (http://www.true-colors.com/index.html) - its essentially a personality profiling and group dynamics. There are four colors which stand for a dominance of character traits - green, gold, blue, and orange. Here - generically speaking - is how they break down:
Green - I have a huge goal, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. (dreamer)
Gold - I can name, number, alphabetize, colorize, organize, and administrate the steps to get to that goal. (planner)
Blue - I have so many feels about this goal, do you want to talk about this first? (feelings)
Orange - That's a really neat goal... oH LOOK... A CHICKEN! (spontinaity)
My dear husband is gold-orange dominated. To him, this is what he'd say (regarding the focal point of this goal):
I can help you plan all those steps. Want to go hiking first?
Me, on the other hand, would say this:
This goal is the culmination of my livelihood. I have been focused on this goal since I was a young adult, and have been planning/replanning since then the steps I'll need to get there. I'm sorry (or not..), that I don't focus on (or care about) how you feel about it, and I'll be really upset if you try to change this subject.
bwahaha! Yes, I am a green-gold combo.
I just happened to be pondering this as I refilled my water bottle tonight, and got a chuckle out of the buckets I put people in according to this True Colors method, and trying to imagine (based on the traits of the 4 colors) how they'd react. It's pretty funny if you ponder it. Or maybe I've just had a long day and needed a quiet giggle. :)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Leave a light on while you work
My daily devotional (which has been monthly at best for some time now) brought me to Luke 12:35-40, a passage which speaks about a servant being expectant of the master's return, whenever it might be. I've been a little downcast lately, having been battling this awful chest cold and healing from minor surgery. My heart has longed to "feel" normal and healthy again. This time right now that I am writing here is the first time in weeks that both kids are asleep and I've felt alive and well enough not to pass out with them. I was prompted (thank you Lord!) to not sit down and surf, or read, but to return to my Beth Moore study on Luke... and I am SO GLAD that I did.
What gets in the way of expecting Christ's return?... my answer was life. Kids. sickness. appointments. cleaning house. You name it. And what is a way I can return to living a life that is daily expectant of His return?... by being in the Word, daily. Duh :) I have said over and over to my friends and husband when talking through issues, that when you START with Christ, (living outside your circumstances), your focus is so much clearer. It's true today for me as it has been true every time I've returned to this truth.
Here was my prayer for this day's devotional:
Lord, a servant does not just sit and wait expectantly. A good servant toils forward about his Master's work, expecting the return but not just sitting and waiting. The good servant is mindful of use of time and resources, being a good steward of all things given. Lord, drive me forward with this motivation of being a good servant and a good steward of the gifts I've been given and the burdens of life I joyfully carry. For I have not been a good steward lately, being caught up in my circumstances which has caused a spiral of mood swings and bad days. Thought I know my first fruits doesn't necessarily mean first thing in the morning, Lord please help me to give to you of my day in a way that blesses You and gives glory to Your name. I can't do this life alone Lord, help me to actively await your return as I toil forward with Your work. Amen!
What gets in the way of expecting Christ's return?... my answer was life. Kids. sickness. appointments. cleaning house. You name it. And what is a way I can return to living a life that is daily expectant of His return?... by being in the Word, daily. Duh :) I have said over and over to my friends and husband when talking through issues, that when you START with Christ, (living outside your circumstances), your focus is so much clearer. It's true today for me as it has been true every time I've returned to this truth.
Here was my prayer for this day's devotional:
Lord, a servant does not just sit and wait expectantly. A good servant toils forward about his Master's work, expecting the return but not just sitting and waiting. The good servant is mindful of use of time and resources, being a good steward of all things given. Lord, drive me forward with this motivation of being a good servant and a good steward of the gifts I've been given and the burdens of life I joyfully carry. For I have not been a good steward lately, being caught up in my circumstances which has caused a spiral of mood swings and bad days. Thought I know my first fruits doesn't necessarily mean first thing in the morning, Lord please help me to give to you of my day in a way that blesses You and gives glory to Your name. I can't do this life alone Lord, help me to actively await your return as I toil forward with Your work. Amen!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Longing
The Lord keeps returning to my heart the desires of 4 seasons - specifically fall and winter. My mind wanders to the summer spent in Paradise, my years in Houghton, the snow shoe trails, the skiing, the swimming, hiking, blueberry picking, the fall colors... I could write for weeks about my love of the land of fall colors, snow, lakes, trees, rivers, birds, campfires, crisp evening air. Though that land has a name in my memory (the UP) there are so many other areas that fit the bill. But Okinawa is not on that list. Sigh.
It's very difficult to keep my attitude positive and Christ-centered when the intensity of this longing is strong. It is darn right frustrating, sad, and a bit depressing to not be where your heart longs to be. Until Christ either fulfills this desire, or takes it from me, all I can do is pray for grace under this pressure, surround myself with my beautiful family, and remember that Okinawa has its blessings too.
Peace,
Kristy
It's very difficult to keep my attitude positive and Christ-centered when the intensity of this longing is strong. It is darn right frustrating, sad, and a bit depressing to not be where your heart longs to be. Until Christ either fulfills this desire, or takes it from me, all I can do is pray for grace under this pressure, surround myself with my beautiful family, and remember that Okinawa has its blessings too.
Peace,
Kristy
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