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How to get rid of your stress

October 2, 2012 in responsibility, Rest, trust with 1 Comment

Stress. Been there. Done that. Designed the t-shirt.

I bet you have, too.

In a recent “aha moment” I discovered a huge source of stress in my life. Since I know I’m not the only one who has ever dealt with this, I thought I would share it with you. Maybe it will help you like it helped me. I hope so.

My big revelation went something like this.

There are some things I can affect. Others I can’t. Apparently sometimes I forget the latter. Responsibility is a big deal with me. I take my work, calling, relationships and assignments very seriously.

Sometimes too seriously.

Sometimes I take on the care of things I can’t really affect. Whenever I catch myself doing that, it’s a great time to humble myself and admit there are many things above my pay grade. Actually, above the grace given me to do MY PART. If doing my part won’t affect the perceived problem, I have to know that it’s beyond my grace, beyond my influence, beyond my control.

Stress comes in when I insist on going out beyond my grace and assignment, assuming the responsibility of others. That, my friends is a recipe for pressure.

Time to humble myself again. Time to rest in the grace given for my assignment.

Here are two great tests of humility, both of which I have recently failed. Honestly ask yourself how you look in the mirror of these scriptures:

“My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.” ~ Psalm 131:1 (NIV

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment…” ~ Romans 12:3 (NIV)

Anyone care to join me today as I humble myself, do my part and trust God with the rest?

Mind the gap!

June 14, 2012 in Inspiration, responsibility with 3 Comments

Today, let’s mind the gap between:

What we say and what we do.

Our intentions and our actions.

Our heart and our head.

Our beliefs and the truth.

Who we are and who we should be.

What happened and what we think happened.

What is and what could be.

How artists change the world.

May 21, 2012 in artistry, responsibility with 2 Comments

“A writer should concern himself with whatever absorbs his fancy, stirs his heart, and unlimbers his typewriter. I feel no obligation to deal with politics. I do feel a responsibility to society because of going into print: a writer has the duty to be good, not lousy; true, not false; lively, not dull; accurate, not full of error. He should tend to lift people up, not lower them down. Writers do not merely reflect and interpret life, they inform and shape life.” ~ E.B. White (author of Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web)

We are all leaving a legacy whether we know it or not. We don’t get to opt out. It will happen either way. Our legacy is our gift to our generation and the ones to come.

Don’t believe an artist that shirks their responsibility to society. Deep inside we all know that we have a role in shaping the world in which we live.

Taking our responsibility and leaving a good legacy is how artists change the world.

It’s how you change the world.

Rules of a creator’s life: 2011/12 edition

March 1, 2012 in artistry, creative, responsibility with 1 Comment

These rules are pretty great. Any others you would like to add?

Image via creativesomething.net

Ungood

November 15, 2011 in responsibility, trust with 2 Comments

Professionalism. This is a touchy concept for many creatives. We spend years honing our craft and developing the confidence we need to be able to “deliver the goods” when it’s time. Trusting yourself, your training and your practice is good, right?

Only up to a point.

The point at which it becomes “ungood” is when we trust solely in ourselves, our giftings, training and preparation. It is profusely ungood to forget that you are a steward of a gift given to you by God, through grace, to touch and bless the world. In proper perspective, our readiness to “deliver the goods” is only part of the equation. The other part is God’s part. This is the part in which we cannot and should not ever try to be responsible. Trusting ourselves is only good in the context of our stewardship of the gift entrusted to us.

It is also ungood to throw away your responsibilities as you are trusting God. This is the obvious mark of an amateur. It is also the mark of laziness. It’s an unhealthy attitude that is the source of much of the bad art that has come from the church for years. Ungood. Truly ungood. Your part isn’t everything, but it is significant.

It’s really about the fine art of balance. It’s about walking in the center of the road and staying out of the ditches. Reality is, the center of this road is partnership with God. He is your partner, and you are His.

”Practice like it all depends on you. In the moment, trust God, because it all depends on Him.” ~ Dan Maclean

My friend Dan hit the nail on the head in this statement.

We prepare.

We do our part.

We know our limitations.

We trust God.

“…that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:12-13 (NKJV)

You are NOT without a covenant. You are NOT without hope. You are NOT without God.

Remember, you have a partner in everything you do. The best partner ever.

He has a partner in you, too… a good one, if I do say so myself.

The art of showing up…

April 27, 2011 in impact, purpose, responsibility with 7 Comments

“Wherever you are, be all there.” ~ Jim Eliott (Missionary, Minister, Martyr)

With all my heart, I’d like to ask you to “show up” today. Not just with your body, but with your heart. The world has far too many people living as if they’re not really present. Too many dads, moms, kids and workers will “clock-in” today physically, but the rest of them will be somewhere else. It will happen in houses, workplaces and churches all around the world today. Please make sure yours isn’t one of them. You’re better than that, made for more than that.

It’s time to stop the pattern of co-existing in the same room with others from whom we withhold quality time, our best ideas and unique giftings.

On behalf of Heaven and those on Earth who need your best today I’m begging you to step out from the crowd and make a difference.

Live on purpose.

Show up.

Be present.

Give your best.

Be all here today.

Make an impact.

Will you?

Responsibility and other things we avoid.

May 26, 2010 in growth, responsibility, risk with 0 Comments

Did you ever wonder why we use the phrase “taking responsibility?” This isn’t a trick question or anything. The answer is actually simple and obvious. Responsibility can’t be assigned. It’s voluntary. It’s something we must accept. It must be taken.

This is the point of disconnect.

Because it’s our choice, we can choose to not accept. Nobody can make us step up to the plate. It’s entirely up to us. Responsibility requires us to put ourselves on the chopping block. It requires us to be willing to risk. It also requires us to grow up. That brings me to the next, obvious point.

Growing up is also a volunteer proposition.

Nobody can (or will) make you become the person you are called to be. Well, nobody ELSE can. You can, though. You can make yourself change. You can make yourself grow up. You can make yourself risk.

How? Be willing. Be willing to take responsibility. Be willing to grow up. Be willing to risk. Be willing to volunteer. Opportunity is often disguised as 2 more things that require an act of your will – hard work and diligence.
All of these things come down to one question: “Is it worth it?”

I admit it’s rarely easy to be responsible, willing to grow up and work hard – but, it is always worth it.

The choice is ours.