It's Your Turn

I don't think it's called writer's block. I just can't think of anything to write about.
What I mean is, at least at the moment, I have lots of ideas, and lots of topics, but nothing that's flowing. So it's your turn.

Tell me something. ANYTHING. Something about your day that you found interesting, exciting, moving, crazy, inspiring, or anything. Tell me about that book you're reading. Tell me about that awesome picture you just took with your camera. Tell me about how your phone died while you were in the middle of a conversation with someone. Tell me a long saga about something in your life. Tell me about that paper you're trying to write. Tell me about how the summer is going WAY too fast (but just FYI, I've already heard that, and another FYI, I agree...). WHATEVER. Just tell me. I don't care if it's eloquent. I don't care if you think I'll think you're stupid for writing (because I won't) it. Believe me, I'll be excited if more than three people write something back to me. JUST TELL ME.

I honestly want to know about what's going on in your life for a change. Sometimes I feel selfish writing about myself and my thoughts all the time. I want to know what keeps you thinking.

Photo courtesy of: http://wp.li.ru/flowers/flowers_011.jpg

Learning How To Choose

By now I've realized that life is nothing short of an abundance of decisions.
Time after time I have to make hard choices, so how do I choose?

Lately, I've noticed something in myself I've been praying for for a long time. In each decision I make, I have begun to think about things differently. I no longer just think about who I am, and how this choice will affect me. I am able to put things into perspective and think about the people it will affect in the long run, or if it will even benefit others, let alone myself.
I can constantly feel God working through me in these decisions.
I'm sure, like me, the path you're traveling seems outrageously unclear sometimes, but I've found, God really does make it clear if you listen.

If you listen to people.

Listen to people! Listen to the people who have experienced what you're going through. And even those who haven't. If you listen to people, you'll learn more than you can imagine. You can gain knowledge, find comfort, and may even discover that the struggles you go through aren't solely your struggles. Time and time again, I find that the people I know are either going through, or have gone through the same things I'm experiencing in life. And by listening to someone say how they've traveled their own path, it can help you on your own path.

If you listen to God.

Most importantly, listen to God. If you listen to what God has already told you in His word, you'll realize how much He's already guiding you! God purposely wrote these things for his people. For YOU. You're supposed to read it. God meant for you to. His guidance is for you. So don't ignore it.

He doesn't want you to be in the dark. He always has a direction for you to go, and longs for you to follow. With this guidance, you can follow. So listen.

Just listen.

Unspoken Acknowledgement

I guess I think about things way too much.
Sorry if it seems like this blog turns to rambling. I guess that's kind of what it's for...

I'll try to make this short. I know it's easier to read something you can see the end of.
Lots of things happen when I'm walking my dog.
Today, I was walking our neighbor's dog, Murray.
And I quite honestly wouldn't be blogging about this if I hadn't been.

I've been walking Murray for a few weeks now because our neighbor has been in the hospital. His wife is usually gone all day at work, then goes straight to visit him there afterwards. So I take this cute little maltese for walks in the morning and afternoon, when I'm not at work.

And I didn't realize how much difference it made 'til today. As the sun glazed over the neighborhood, I pulled my feet down the sidewalk. I was tired, and I was hot, and I didn't feel like I was completely there, so it did kind of catch me a little off-guard. As I passed the aged-green house, the door opened and our elderly neighbor came out.

Now, you should know something. I seldom see anything go on in this house. I always see them mowing their lawn, or putting out their trash, or driving in or pulling away, but I never see anything going on inside. The curtains in the front window are generally drawn, and when they are open, all you can see is a simple centerpiece on the sill, and an empty wall behind it. So, yes, I was a little surprised when he opened the door and walked out. And yes, a little more surprised to find that he had actually come out to talk to me.

"You still have that other little dog of yours too, right?"
I looked down at Murray and realized what he was getting at.

"Oh, yes! We still have Annie! This is just our neighbor's dog."

I explained to him about their situation and why we were helping out.

"Well, that's good. I just hadn't seen her in a while is all. I enjoy seeing that dog; she's a character!"
I talked to him for a little while longer, then he went back inside and I kept walking. A grin kind of spread across my face for the rest of my walk with Murray. I couldn't help thinking about it.

I don't think I ever really realized how often the little things really do matter. I didn't realize my neighbor loved seeing our dog. For me, I just walked by their house every day and never even thought about it. MY dog brings JOY to another person's life. Who would've thought (especially my dog of all animals....haha.)!?

Man, I often miss so much! If only I would stop and think when I'm going about my day--stop to realize that people still do pay attention to what goes on in my life.

Stop and think.

The world doesn't always ignore you. People aren't always self-absorbed. They don't always care about just themselves. Even though you may feel like you could never command the attention of the world, people do notice you. Even though no one may ever say anything to you, you may still be impacting them in some way. And for all you know, it could be a HUGE way. So think about everything that you do, and everything that you say.

You do make a difference.
And people acknowledge your existence every day.
Even if it's just unspoken acknowledgement.