Five Minute Friday: “Messenger”

Looking for a reason to write but not sure where to start? Join me and hundreds of others in Five Minute Fridays started by Lisa Jo-Baker. The key is to write for five minutes based on Lisa-Jo’s prompt “No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation. Unscripted. Unedited. Real.”

So here we go: “Messenger”

Automatically, I think how can I send a message through the work I do. Now, that I’m in a place where I can do what I’m most passionate about, I’m not quite sure how to deliver the message. I’m still seeking guidance on that, because one thing I’ve learned and wish to avoid, and in ways, I’ve grown into a sense of maturity, where it’s not necessary to speak all the time. Sometimes, it’s more necessary to listen, allow what you hear to settle in, and then speak with humility, with grace, and comfort.
I’ve found that many people like to speak, deliver a message for their own reasons, for their own accolades, so to speak. But when we allow ourselves to be humble, we will find that sometimes the message we speak is unnecessary and may often times cause more harm than intended.

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The After Five: So, here’s what I believe. We are all “Messengers” with a word to deliver to someone. It can be verbal or non-verbal, a few words, many words, or a simple hug. But in order to deliver those messages, we have to be humble and receptive of His instructions. There will be times when you feel the need to say something and you do, (it doesn’t always end in the negative), but later on wiser words come to you and you think “Oh, I wish I had said that”.

Sometimes a friend is in need and you just have that urge to say something to fill an awkward void of silence… but silence is okay. Another thing I’m learning is that one should speak with a “Purpose”, without expectation, except that God’s will be done once it is spoken.

Again, we are all “Messengers” and there are particular recipients for the message you have been assigned to deliver. I mentioned that I have a message, but not sure how to deliver, but as I’ve been writing, I realize, the how is not the issue, it’s the “who”… I have a message for certain individuals. You have a message for certain individuals. Everyone is not meant to receive “your” message. Some, in fact, are not ready for your message.

Every day, people are blogging/writing/painting with messages that reach someone, even unknowingly. So whatever your message in life, your purpose, as God so leads you, share it. Even if you can’t lay eyes on the recipient, still share. The amazing thing is that your message impacts people in unexpected ways.

Your life experiences are not in vain. Let Your Voice be heard whether through art, writing, or speaking. You have a voice. You have a message. And there’s room for all of us to be Messengers!!!

Friday Blessings to All!!!

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Five Minute Friday: “Mess”

Looking for a reason to write but not sure where to start? Join me and hundreds of others in Five Minute Fridays started by Lisa Jo-Baker. The key is to write for five minutes based on Lisa-Jo’s prompt “No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation. Unscripted. Unedited. Real.”

So here we go: “Mess”

So I had to chuckle to myself when I saw this word. MESS!!! Well, here’s a bit of transparency. I’m intimidated by mess. I don’t function well in mess. I shut down in Mess.

I spend hours on Meticulous and Perfectionism. And funny how even after double checking not once but twice (and sometimes more), I still manage to find something wrong.

Over the years I’ve read and taken on the perspective that mess often signifies chaos or confusion. So I think it’s fair to say that with that perspective, I’ve become a bit too concerned about what others would think if I was no [not] so put together, or on point with certain things.

Well…

 

The After Five: I will be the FIRST and I’m certain not the only one or the last to tell you that BLAH!!!! Meticulous and Perfectionism will literally drive you crazy!!! I’m sure there’s someone out there who will agree. 🙂 This hit me the most when I was an instructor for the first time and felt the need to read and do as much as possible to make sure students were getting what I considered a valued education. So if that meant staying up till 3 or 4 in the morning with 2 hours of sleep before starting the day, then hey, “It’s not about me, it’s all about them.” Um, while that may be true in certain circumstances, any obsession with something often overwhelms the true passion, joy, and purpose of it. And while I tried to “fake it” on the front line, behind closed doors, yes, I was a Mess!!! It was not until I lost my job, with way too much time on my hand, (but GREATLY needed), that I started to accept the fact that I don’t have to be perfect, I don’t have to know everything and I don’t have to be “All that” to people in order to satisfy unrealistic expectations.

To go back a bit, before I lost my job, I was working almost 14 hour days, 4 days a week, on minimal hours of sleep and not to mention the job issues itself, and it became so overwhelming (with noticeable health issues), that I literally said to God I just couldn’t do it anymore. (another topic for another day, I was hoping that that door closing meant another one would readily open, but that was not the case….).

So long story short, it often times takes a messy situation to open our eyes to new revelations that we would not have seen otherwise. Mess happens. It’s not meant to be permanent, but I do believe it often serves as the foundation upon which many of  our blessings are formed. If mess didn’t happen we’d never feel the need to assess situations, consider changes and therefore make room for more growth.  So, slowly but surely, I’m still learning. 🙂 And OAN: That, my friends, was the Mess that led to me starting my own professional services. So mess is not a lost cause (and I’m now reminded of the “Paint” post- it’s all about how we choose to view things).

Have a Good Night Y’all!!! 🙂