Yes! Now this song will be stuck in your head. All day. You are welcome.
A paltry few years ago, in what now seems alternate universe gameplay, if you were asked “How are you?” you would answer “Great!”. Now, in this dystopian reality that has become our entire existence, how many times have you been asked or asked “How are you?” and how many answers have included the word “alive”? I am going to take a shot in the dark here with my psychic powers and say more than once. Might even have to bring in the other hand to count the number of times we have affirmed to others that we are alive. This is NOT okay! This IS NOT normal. Oh. Nevermind. Shut my mouth; it is the “new normal”. I totally forgot. (Face slap) We used to be happy to hear how others were faring, good bad and all that other stuff. Now, we are pleased at the news they are still alive. In the words of Jeff Bingham “C’MON MAN!!!”.
We need to stop thinking this is an appropriate response to say or hear from others. Stop saying it. Just stop. We need to affirm our life and the preciousness of every minute within every day. Do not be so lost inside who you think you need to be that the core of who you truly are cannot find room to show up. When we show up, it is a powerful motivator. Show up and affirm the good things in your life. Count your blessings and write them down. When someone asks you how you are, answer with positivity, even if you don’t “feel” like it. It says in the Bible that our words are the most powerful thing about us, whether we talk to ourselves or others, our body hears and responds. You never know when a little thing you do or say will empower other people to find strength.
Why do you believe the things you believe? Think carefully about your views, emotions and responses to outside stimuli and circumstances. What causes your reaction? Are you reacting in a certain way because everyone else is? Because that is how you were taught to react? Can you figure out the WHY of your words, actions and responses? Can you step out of yourself and differentiate between all the experiences, conversations and people you have let into your head from the core creation that is the pillar of your building?
As a totally random example, I have been called stubborn. Why am I stubborn? It is an inherent trait of my character. Character traits cannot be absorbed by us and change who we are. We can emulate certain things we were not born with, but learned behavior and responses are just that, learned. One can become obstinate, but you are not born with it.
In these strange days, knowing who you are, what you believe and WHY you believe it is the most important realization you might ever have. It is important that we search our entire being and disentangle the person you have become from the person you were created to be. It will be painful. You might laugh, you might cry or you may be angry. It might take some phone calls to friends or relatives who have shared moments with you in the past, but you can get there. Concentrate on YOU. This includes all aspects of our humanity, our mind, will, emotion, body, soul and spirit. When we were created, God did not make us a vacuum. He filled us with many miraculous qualities that combine to make us each a uniquely wonderful creature and included in this is an Empty Space. It is an invitation-only space and God is the only one can who fits in it, perfectly perfect. Everyone looks to fill this space because it is inherently in our nature to find that One missing piece which will make us whole. Many try to fill that void in their lives with drugs, alcohol, poor life choices, children, friends and spouses. But, the only thing that will truly satisfy that need is the Creator; and together, with Him, the completing of YOU can begin. You will make a truly worthy companion, mother or father when you are a whole person to begin with. You are not looking for someone to “complete” you. You are already on your way if you can acknowledge that you don’t know it all. You understand that it not about controlling events you can do nothing about. You do have control over how you react to those things though, and therein lies the power.
In a world where independent thinking and reason is almost offensive to people, it is important to have that inner core of God given strength of character. If we somehow manage to avoid being swept up in the river of humanity’s belief system and resulting actions then know the end will result in reward. The reward of knowing you stood tall and firm in your beliefs of right and wrong, of good and bad and of love and hate. Choose right. Choose good. Choose love.