By idleness, I really mean procrastination. One of my friends recently showed me a DVD of one of Ellen DeGeneres's shows and her theme of choice is procrastination. You would have to see it to appreciate all of the clever and witty things she says, but trust me. If you have ever procrastinated, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you're a procrastinator, maybe you should put off reading the rest of this blog so you don't feel guilty about putting off all the things you should be doing rather than reading this blog.
For instance, instead of going running or finishing the waxing job on my car, I am sitting here, in my lovely room, thinking about doing those things. Why am I avoiding those activities? Well, partially because I'm lazy and I enjoy sitting in my bed and typing on the computer but also because I know those activities mean that my day has started and my "speedometer" will be at a high speed for the rest of the day. Who wants to start out weary? Not me. No way, Jose. So, I'll sit here and agonize and complain to whoever reads this.
Just kidding. I'm not going to complain. I want to explore the idea of procrastination because it's a curious concept. Consider this: There's a deadline approaching. It's for something pretty important to your life. It's kind of a big deal that you do this because it could determine what you do for the next year or so of your life. The result, however, is unknown and that is petrifying, paralyzing. You are so intimidated by the unknown that you put off facing the unknown until you absolutely have to face it, which, of course, will be last minute.
Many of my friends who are graduating this May with their undergraduate degree are facing this intimidating concept- grad school. There's also the phenomena of finding a job in a difficult economic atmosphere. I don't know about you, but the idea of being unemployed after attending a private university is enough to make me sweat. Ok. Let's not think about that until absolutely necessary. Let's watch the playoffs instead, even though our favorite team failed to even make a wild card game.
With the boom of technology and the conveniences we are accustomed to as Americans, we have too much at our fingertips to provide distractions, which fuel our tendencies of procrastination. I'm not complaining about laptops, internet, cell phones, etc... I am merely identifying several enablers. It's like the saying: "Saying that guns kill people is like saying that pencils cause misspellings." It has to do with the user. Now I sound like I'm referring to Tron. Shoot.
But seriously. The user of the conveniences is always faced with a choice. I usually chose the option that provides the least amount of stress and work for the immediate moment... and I would like to think that I have a strong work ethic. That choice is imperative, yet the gravity of it is lost on me. The culture of instant gratification has impeded our abilities to see further down the road. The cultivation of the 4G network is an example. Paying $19.99/mo for faster internet is another. Ok. Yeah, let's use all the technology we have to be more organized and to network and to keep in touch, but let's also never let the phone leave our hands and let's get all the apps we can on our iPhone or whatever because Heaven forbid us to have a moment of silence, or non-stimulation, where we realize what we're really doing, or the things we're missing, or even the things we're avoiding.
Procrastination doesn't only apply to deadlines. It applies to emotions. So many people have baggage and they leave it as baggage. The heavy things stay in neat compartments until someone decides he or she wants to know the real person. Then the baggage has to be heaved out and it's painful. Some baggage might never go away but some will. Putting off the processing of those things is a defense mechanism.
"I don't have time to deal with this right now."
"If I let myself process all of this, then I will be rendered useless to the world and I can't afford that right now."
"It will be less painful to deal with that later. I have too much on my plate."
Those are all things that I know I've said. I've said those relatively recently, too. How can I expect the baggage to disappear or to be less heavy when I don't open it and take some things out? That's insane and we all know the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
So why is procrastination so easy to use as an excuse? If we think about it, putting things off can be more harmful in the long run. Why are we so intimidated by the future and the unknown?
I take comfort in this: I can be intimidated by the future because there is Someone in charge who is not. I cannot see down the road any further than the next person but there is someone who created that road and is guiding me along. The unknown is scary to me...and I think it comes down to how much I trust God with my life, which is silly, considering he gave me life and he's orchestrating it...and everything goes better when I don't try to take over.
Long story short: Procrastination is for pansies who can't handle facing the progression of life. Change your perspective and realize that you were never in control nor expected to be in control. There are tasks we must complete and we are not able to to those with our own strength. So, let's resolve, among our failing New Year's resolutions, to stop procrastinating with stopping procrastination. We have nothing to fear and no reason to put off the important things.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
It's bitter, it's cold
I couldn't help but re-post a rather peculiar sentence I read in the newspaper yesterday: "If days were lattes, today would be bitter and icy." It was referring to the weather, but I found the phrasing humorous. If days were lattes... what an interesting notion. Heaven help the day that's non-fat, no whip, extra hot with an extra shot of espresso with half the syrup.
It makes a person think, though. Of course metaphors are used for a greater and deeper meaning, which would lend an expression to different situations. For instance, comparing lattes to days would also cross over to comparing lattes to attitudes. There are those people who feel the need to be the prettiest drink... you know, the drink with the whipped cream and the sprinkles and the 400 calories for the smallest size... There are also those people who don't feel the need for all the "bells and whistles," so they are an americano, which seems strong but is really watered down espresso... or they're drip-brewed... Whatever the presentation, each metaphor stands for something.
Now that you're thinking in metaphors, let me dissect the aforementioned one from my viewpoint.
Coffee is the metaphor for life; life experiences, beliefs, overall perspective of life.
The "pretty" drink is not a reference to make-up or the amount of time one spends in the morning with his or her appearance. It is the personality, the appearance, of having everything together. It looks so good on the outside. The majority of people like it... mostly the not-so-much-of-a-coffee fans. Translation: Those people who have difficulty facing what is really going on tend to be the prettiest drinks. Truth is, the prettiest drinks have the most calories, so following the illustration: you'll realize one day or another that you can't handle the syrup and the sprinkles and the whipped cream all the time. Whether you've gained a ton of weight from the 400 calorie drink (hyperbole, obviously) or you've grown tired of the taste, it's when you realize that there is something amiss. The drink that used to bring you to your happy place now makes you sick to your stomach.
This is how it is when we try to be the prettiest drink. We make ourselves presentable to the outside world: the pretty package that has everything together. In American culture, showing weakness or telling people about your problems is horribly inconvenient and burdensome. Culture emphasizes that only high-profile people are allowed to have problems. Those or fictional characters. So, we take the time to make everything seem perfect. As time passes, we realize that we can't do this all the time. We're exhausted and depressed because we've covered over our lives with the things that culture tells us will make the hurts and the troubles go away.
Back to the metaphor.
You switch to a basic latte. Less sprinkles, less whipped cream, but still full of syrup. Just enough espresso to remind people that there really is coffee in the drink. You'll be yourself but not straight up. No one wants to know all about your life, except for those closest to you. Guess what, though... with the different types of lattes, you can still be bitter and cold. At least, that's what the newspaper tells me.
When it comes down to the basics, we have to realize something: we have to be real at some point. We have to be honest. We have to leave the whipped cream and the sprinkles and the syrup behind. Some people won't be able to handle the americano or the espresso shot, or even a drip coffee, but we've got to be real sometime. Even if you try to put on a show, you won't be able to keep that up for forever. It's not bad to be cheerful. It's bad to be fake and shallow.
Sometimes, you have no other choice, no other energy, but "to make" a bitter, cold latte. Let's call it as it is, because if you try to pass that off as a hot chocolate, it won't go over very well. There are things that will take the energy from you. I have felt like there were many times this past semester and at the beginning of this year where I had to be a bitter, cold latte. I'll call it like it is. At the same time, I realize that I cannot stay this way forever. I may not be the person to have heartwarming conversations with, but I will guarantee my genuine words. The great things about that situation is that my friends have allowed me to be the bitter, icy latte. They've allowed me to be in that stage and call it like it is. I have realized the blessing and, just maybe, because of that, my bitter/icy stage will be shortened. Who knows?
I've rambled on enough about coffee and metaphors, but I want you to think. Are you trying to pass yourself off as a frappaccino with all your pieces in place? Just remember that no one reacts well to drinking cold black drip coffee when they wanted a Starbucks Java Chip Frappaccino...
It makes a person think, though. Of course metaphors are used for a greater and deeper meaning, which would lend an expression to different situations. For instance, comparing lattes to days would also cross over to comparing lattes to attitudes. There are those people who feel the need to be the prettiest drink... you know, the drink with the whipped cream and the sprinkles and the 400 calories for the smallest size... There are also those people who don't feel the need for all the "bells and whistles," so they are an americano, which seems strong but is really watered down espresso... or they're drip-brewed... Whatever the presentation, each metaphor stands for something.
Now that you're thinking in metaphors, let me dissect the aforementioned one from my viewpoint.
Coffee is the metaphor for life; life experiences, beliefs, overall perspective of life.
The "pretty" drink is not a reference to make-up or the amount of time one spends in the morning with his or her appearance. It is the personality, the appearance, of having everything together. It looks so good on the outside. The majority of people like it... mostly the not-so-much-of-a-coffee fans. Translation: Those people who have difficulty facing what is really going on tend to be the prettiest drinks. Truth is, the prettiest drinks have the most calories, so following the illustration: you'll realize one day or another that you can't handle the syrup and the sprinkles and the whipped cream all the time. Whether you've gained a ton of weight from the 400 calorie drink (hyperbole, obviously) or you've grown tired of the taste, it's when you realize that there is something amiss. The drink that used to bring you to your happy place now makes you sick to your stomach.
This is how it is when we try to be the prettiest drink. We make ourselves presentable to the outside world: the pretty package that has everything together. In American culture, showing weakness or telling people about your problems is horribly inconvenient and burdensome. Culture emphasizes that only high-profile people are allowed to have problems. Those or fictional characters. So, we take the time to make everything seem perfect. As time passes, we realize that we can't do this all the time. We're exhausted and depressed because we've covered over our lives with the things that culture tells us will make the hurts and the troubles go away.
Back to the metaphor.
You switch to a basic latte. Less sprinkles, less whipped cream, but still full of syrup. Just enough espresso to remind people that there really is coffee in the drink. You'll be yourself but not straight up. No one wants to know all about your life, except for those closest to you. Guess what, though... with the different types of lattes, you can still be bitter and cold. At least, that's what the newspaper tells me.
When it comes down to the basics, we have to realize something: we have to be real at some point. We have to be honest. We have to leave the whipped cream and the sprinkles and the syrup behind. Some people won't be able to handle the americano or the espresso shot, or even a drip coffee, but we've got to be real sometime. Even if you try to put on a show, you won't be able to keep that up for forever. It's not bad to be cheerful. It's bad to be fake and shallow.
Sometimes, you have no other choice, no other energy, but "to make" a bitter, cold latte. Let's call it as it is, because if you try to pass that off as a hot chocolate, it won't go over very well. There are things that will take the energy from you. I have felt like there were many times this past semester and at the beginning of this year where I had to be a bitter, cold latte. I'll call it like it is. At the same time, I realize that I cannot stay this way forever. I may not be the person to have heartwarming conversations with, but I will guarantee my genuine words. The great things about that situation is that my friends have allowed me to be the bitter, icy latte. They've allowed me to be in that stage and call it like it is. I have realized the blessing and, just maybe, because of that, my bitter/icy stage will be shortened. Who knows?
I've rambled on enough about coffee and metaphors, but I want you to think. Are you trying to pass yourself off as a frappaccino with all your pieces in place? Just remember that no one reacts well to drinking cold black drip coffee when they wanted a Starbucks Java Chip Frappaccino...
Saturday, January 8, 2011
When something is heavy
"Lift with your legs! Lift with your legs!"
I hear that every time I go to lift something heavy like a box of books or furniture or some other unreasonably heavy thing. My father has had back problems since I can remember, so maybe that is why I always hear that bouncing around in my head... maybe that's also why I tend to yell it to whoever is within earshot, which proves more amusing to me than to them.
I wish there was a "safe saying" like that for life. Oh wait. There already is: "Run to the Lord. Run to the Lord." Why is this easier to forget than "Lift with your legs"? Even though both actions are done with the legs, they are completely different. Rather than standing still and relying on your own strength to take care of a heavy object, you must run to God so that he can make those heavy things beautiful.
When you run to something with all your might, you are not able to turn right around and walk away. I don't know about you, but when I sprint, I am breathless and literally useless to the world while I recover. I have to stay at my destination and try to regain my bearings. To follow the analogy through to completion, during that time of breathless recovery, I must listen. Listening to people is not a problem for me. I like that. I enjoy that. Listening to God... not so easy for me. I tremble at the idea of projecting my ideas as God's. I fear that he will ask me to do something uncomfortable or life-changing. I am afraid that he will let me be vulnerable and I won't recover. If God is the loving and gracious Father he claims to be, all of these fears are irrational. They are the seeds of lies. I am probably not the only person to wrestle with the head knowledge and what the heart is saying.
There is a song by CASCADA that says "Listen to your heart... there's nothing else you can do..." That doesn't really work. Your heart is a part of fallen nature and the only redemptive quality in it is the Holy Spirit, which is not of the human body at all. Sure, God gave us emotions and he gave us brains. He also knows that we are unable to maintain perfection and we are far too easily satisfied with the mud pies of this world (C.S. Lewis).
The heaviness that sin brings is unbearable on our own. We have all the tools we need to survive if we truly believe that Christ intercedes for us and we pursue relationships. Here's the thing about relationships: they go both ways, which means you cannot pour your heart out to God and walk away. There are times when you need to sit down and shut up. This is a lesson I'm learning because there is no other option. When something is heavy, sit down. Shut up. LISTEN.
I hear that every time I go to lift something heavy like a box of books or furniture or some other unreasonably heavy thing. My father has had back problems since I can remember, so maybe that is why I always hear that bouncing around in my head... maybe that's also why I tend to yell it to whoever is within earshot, which proves more amusing to me than to them.
I wish there was a "safe saying" like that for life. Oh wait. There already is: "Run to the Lord. Run to the Lord." Why is this easier to forget than "Lift with your legs"? Even though both actions are done with the legs, they are completely different. Rather than standing still and relying on your own strength to take care of a heavy object, you must run to God so that he can make those heavy things beautiful.
When you run to something with all your might, you are not able to turn right around and walk away. I don't know about you, but when I sprint, I am breathless and literally useless to the world while I recover. I have to stay at my destination and try to regain my bearings. To follow the analogy through to completion, during that time of breathless recovery, I must listen. Listening to people is not a problem for me. I like that. I enjoy that. Listening to God... not so easy for me. I tremble at the idea of projecting my ideas as God's. I fear that he will ask me to do something uncomfortable or life-changing. I am afraid that he will let me be vulnerable and I won't recover. If God is the loving and gracious Father he claims to be, all of these fears are irrational. They are the seeds of lies. I am probably not the only person to wrestle with the head knowledge and what the heart is saying.
There is a song by CASCADA that says "Listen to your heart... there's nothing else you can do..." That doesn't really work. Your heart is a part of fallen nature and the only redemptive quality in it is the Holy Spirit, which is not of the human body at all. Sure, God gave us emotions and he gave us brains. He also knows that we are unable to maintain perfection and we are far too easily satisfied with the mud pies of this world (C.S. Lewis).
The heaviness that sin brings is unbearable on our own. We have all the tools we need to survive if we truly believe that Christ intercedes for us and we pursue relationships. Here's the thing about relationships: they go both ways, which means you cannot pour your heart out to God and walk away. There are times when you need to sit down and shut up. This is a lesson I'm learning because there is no other option. When something is heavy, sit down. Shut up. LISTEN.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)