Good Morning Friends!
Tomorrow is the start of a new semester at Mid Michigan
Community College. Call me crazy, but I have enrolled in two courses this
semester, primarily “just for fun.” One of my New Year’s resolutions was to ‘learn
something new each day’ and taking classes is certainly a way to learn new
things. I’m taking a course in Proofreading (certainly needed considering all
the typos I make in my posts) and another in Business Communications. Each of
these courses should help me improve my writing skills and learn more about the
technology out there used in modern-day communication (what is twitter, Instagram,
and tumbler anyway? J)
Also, it might give me the confidence I need to begin that book!
One other, and very important, reason for taking classes is
that it connects me with the students that I serve. It keeps me ‘in the loop”
and allows me to experience the stress and struggles that sometimes comes along
with balancing family, work, personal, and school responsibilities. At least
for a semester, I become “one of them” and can commiserate and celebrate with
them. Students tend to put more faith in someone who “knows what it is like”
and is walking the same road. There’s comfort in being with someone who is
sharing the same journey. It ought to be fun!
In my own personal journey in life, I gather my strength
from my relationship with my God. After, all, He became “one of us” so that he
could share in our life, struggles, joys, and temptations. Although I get support
and encouragement from those around me, I don’t have many people in my
immediate circle of family and friends who are daily fighting a fight against
weight, and who really know what it’s
like to be the only person in the room not eating a piece of birthday cake. But
God….in the person of Jesus….knows. He was tempted in the dessert when he
fasted for 40 days. There aren’t many people in my life who know what it’s like
to be criticized or insulted by the occasional insults and rude comments in the
media, but God knows. There are not many people in my life that know how much I
wish that all those who suffer, all who are sad, all who are hopeless would be
set free, but God does; He gave his life for us. He experienced pain,
frustration, hurt…..joy and ultimately victory at the Resurrection. I would not
have reached this point in my journey without Him and the realization that I am
not alone; God knows exactly how hard it is and has never….not even for a
minute….not even when I was at rock-bottom…..not ever left me or given up on
me. You too can draw your strength from Him or your higher power because He has
not given upon you either! Nor have I.
Likewise, you are not alone in your journey. You may not share my faith (that’s perfectly
fine with me), but nonetheless, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I am one of you and I KNOW what it’s like to
walk this walk. I do it ….every single
minute…..of every single day! Your journey will have no end; you will always
have to walk this walk. I don’t know
what it’s like to struggle with drugs, alcohol, or some other addiction or what
it’s like to want a cigarette or drink so bad that my hands shake, but I do
know what it’s like to be tempted. I’ve been there….and I am there…..frequently.
I know what it’s like to doubt that it
is even possible to change. I’ve been there and sometimes I still struggle as I
wonder if I am going to be able to keep this weight off for life. I know what
it’s like to live in fear….of failing, of dying, of being alone. I know what it’s
like to sit by and watch someone I love suffer…and die…and I know the grief of
loss. I know what it’s like to lose a job and struggle with finances. I know
what it’s like to be disabled and in physical pain. I know what it’s like to
want to give up…..to say, ‘what’s the use”…..to want to sit on the floor and
cry because nothing fits anymore and you feel ugly, fat, depressed. I know what
it’s like to be stared at, to be pitied, to be insulted. I share your pain, I share your struggles, I share
your temptations……just like you share them with me, and God shares them with
us. I share in your journey and hope to
offer support and inspiration to you, but I also draw support and inspiration FROM
YOU. I am as dependent on you as you are
on me. You are for me what I am to you! We are ALL in this…..whatever THIS….. might be
for you…..We are ALL in this together! This means when one fails, we all step up and
encourage and support, and when one succeeds, we all rejoice and
celebrate! Isn’t it great???????
So….with that being said…… Does anyone have any good news to
report????? Did anyone lose any weight
this week? Has anyone made it all week
without a cigarette or try something new?
Is anyone struggling today? Talk
to me….talk to us.
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