How Bolt Comes to My Rescue

I have a little guy named Bolt. He is a jack russell/boston terrier mix and I don't know what shape I would be in without him. I have always loved dogs, but never had one in my home until I was in high school. The dog my parents brought home was a wonderful addition and I love him to this day, but his existence didn't chance my life at all. My Dad also had a few dogs come and go over the years, though not seeing him all that often just made them cuddly playmates. However Bolt.... well he means so much to me and my husband.

Being a new year, I have started thinking about 2010 and how it was exceptionally difficult. There were many times I wanted to just give up on everything. When I felt worthless in life. When my husband and I would argue or feel down right depressed. As I've been looking back, I realized that there were so many instances where Bolt came to our rescue. No, I wasn't Little Timmy stuck in a long dark pit, but my emotions might as well have been. And Bolt knew just what to do! He licked me incessantly until I realized he was trying to give me kisses. He cuddled up and made me feel warm and loved when I all I really felt was alone. He brought me his favorite toy to squeak and throw so that I could have some fun playing. And he just plain did silly things that made me laugh out loud, even when I had been crying. There were many times his constant positive nature paired next to his contentment with simplicity caused me to look at life in different ways.

I know some of you may be thinking "it's just a dog; a pet." And I'm inclined to agree with you. However, I believe God has used my little pet this past year to help me cope with seemingly hopeless situations. My husband and I had wanted a dog for a very long time but we didn't feel the time was right until just before things began their downward spiral. We have always trusted in God to provide for us in ways we can't provide for ourselves. And during this past year that we have had Bolt, God has provided a way to endure this wilderness we are in. I hope your pet can be the same for you.

Don't have a dog or some other pet? I recommend a trip to your local pound. Though it may make you feel a little sad at first - for you can't take all those sad faces home with you - you just may find one you can. And it has already made you feel better! Now you have a companion and just think.... you saved it's life. Doesn't that feel good?

What is your box of cookies?

I attend a weekly women's bible study at my church here in Los Angeles. Now, in case you are not a person of faith, don't turn away just yet. Though I may be relating it to my faith in God, what I'm here to say can apply to all walks of life.

At the study last night, one of the girls in my group happened to mention something which struck a cord with me. She said our God-given gifts and talents are like a box of cookies. You can take the box of cookies and store it away without opening it. You can also keep the cookies and open them but not eat any. Or you can take the cookies, open them, eat the cookies and then share them with others. After she spoke I really began to delve into my own personal gifts, questioning whether I am using them in the right ways.

Have you ever been in a place where you are not fully satisfied with your life? You're generally happy, but simply bored with your daily job or routine. Or maybe you are unhappy. No matter where you stand in life, chances are you are not accessing your natural gifts and talents in the way you were meant to. Let's say you're a graphic designer, making tons of money creating beautiful layouts and images. Life's pretty good and to a certain degree you enjoy your job, but something is missing. You went into graphic design because you really enjoy drawing and painting, but you knew you'd struggle financially. To use our metaphor, you have opened the box of cookies and eat one every once in awhile. Perhaps it's time to eat a few more cookies and then pass them around! How could you be more satisfied using your gift for art? While the job pays the bills and is rewarding in some ways, perhaps painting on the side will help fill your artistic need. And this could lead to other things! You could sell your art, eventually creating a fan base. You could donate your work to charities or hospitals, helping them raise money in an auction. Or you could teach art classes part time and share your skills with other eager, artsy minds. Only you can figure out which path is best.

For me, it's singing. I have been classically trained and performed in many musicals. For whatever reason none of these avenues fulfilled me. So in a leap of faith, I walked away from singing professionally for a few years. Then the itch began to creep up. I considered a return to the stage, but new I would have just ended up right where I left off. I found the only time I was happy singing was when I was worshipping God. So, I began singing with my church and though my opportunities are sparse, this is how I was meant to use my talents. Now I'm beginning to look at my other gifts in this way.

So, what about you? Do you have a gift for dealing with children? Are you an exceptional public speaker? Maybe numbers get you so excited you can't help but multiply everywhere you go. Whatever the gift or talent is you posses, don't hide them away or take a bite every so often. Eat those cookies and share them with the world. Look for opportunities that happen to present themselves. And then take a bite!

Who Are You?

Have you ever had a church sermon that really hit home? Like the speaker was looking right at you. I had one such experience yesterday morning. The message addressed exactly what I have been struggling with lately--my identity. I know some of you are thinking "If I wanted a preacher, I would go to church--now show me some pretty pictures!!" I am not here to preach, nor am I qualified. (And patience, the pretty pics are coming!) This is just information that hit me over the head like a ton of bricks. It gave me such a sense of freedom and rejuvenation when I heard it, that I just had to share. Now, I am not trying to convert you over to my church. There are some truths that transcend the segregating borders of differing religions and beliefs. Some teachings can truly apply to everyone, and I believe that this is one such lesson.

The concept is about an individual's purpose and their worth in life. And how you can get sidetracked from your purpose if you let other people determine your worth. For example, say I stole Jenny's boyfriend when I was 15. From that moment on, Jenny (and anyone within earshot of her) sees me as a skanky person with no sense of moral integrity. Now, 13 years later I am an entirely different woman. But I know that they all know about this horrible incident from my past. So anytime I see Jenny or her friends, I skulk on by with my head hanging down. Instantly, I regress back to an awkard teenager trying to fit in. Everytime I interact with someone who knows of one of my regrets from the past, I am reminded of how weak and vulnerable I am. And although I would never do those things now, I know that I was once guilty of them. This makes me think that maybe I am not "qualified" to do the great things that I aspire to. Perhaps, I am just that skany teenager pretending to be someone else now. You can see how this could hinder the progress in your life. There is a famous saying, People call you what you will answer to. So, yes, people can and will talk; but they can only bring you down as far as you let them. Rather than allowing them to keep you stuck in the past, you must declare who you are now--in the present. And who you strive to be in the future. After all, who knows you better that you? Shouldn't you be the one who determines who you are and what you stand for?

So I learned two great things from this message to keep in mind when I interact with people:

1. I should not let people around me (most of whom hardly know me) tell me who I am.
2. We all make mistakes and are broken in some way. So cut folks some slack and look at their potential rather than their flaws.
3. Oh, and I should stop doing stupid things that make me feel bad about myself.

You may be a lot smarter than I am and already know this stuff. If so, pass it along! Now as promised--pretty pictures. Happy Monday!