"I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli

These are the lyrics to Francesca Battistelli's song "I'm Letting Go". It kind of reminds me of how it feels to take on life changes...

I'm Letting Go - Lyrics

Album: My Paper Heart
Artist: Francesca Battistelli

My heart beats, standing on the edge
But my feet have finally left the ledge

Like an acrobat
There’s no turning back

(Chorus)
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
I’m losing control
Of my destiny
It feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go

This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace
The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone

(Chorus)

Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I’m not afraid

(Chorus)

Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
Feels like I’m falling and this is the life for me

"Perfectly Paralyzed" by Mary Hunt of EveryDay Cheapskate

The following is from Mary Hunt, the creator of the EveryDay Cheapskate.

Perfectly Paralyzed

I've never thought of myself as a perfectionist. One would only have to peer into my office to understand why.

My office has the appearance of chaos, confusion and disorder. "Appearance" is the operative word. I find the chaos to be completely functional. I rely on my own, unique organizational theory: It's better occasionally to waste time searching for items than regularly to waste time keeping the place tidy with everything meticulously filed.

I know what you're thinking. My mother didn't agree with my theory either.

I admit that I struggle with procrastination. But me, a perfectionist? Hardly. A perfectionist is someone who does everything perfectly. I only think about doing things perfectly.

Not long ago, I had the opportunity to hear what Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California, had to say on this subject. A procrastinator, says Warren, is nothing more than a frustrated perfectionist.

A perfectionist is convinced she must prove her worth by being perfect. A perfectionist craves approval. Warren contends it's the fear of not being able to perform perfectly that leads to procrastination. And procrastination eventually leads to paralysis.

There are times I can stare into my computer screen for hours on end without completing a single sentence. Even though I have a clear-cut subject, a semi-brilliant conclusion and a general idea of how I plan to get there, until I perfect my first paragraph, I'm paralyzed.

Have you ever felt paralyzed by your procrastination? Perhaps perfectionism is at the root of the problem.

I hear from lots of you who say you just can't get going with your Rapid Debt-Repayment Plans (one element of Debt-Proof Living; learn more at DebtProofLiving.com). Could it be that you're so worried about making a mistake, you find yourself paralyzed? Are you holding yourself to an unattainable standard of perfection? That could be what's keeping you stuck right where you are.

Perfectionism can keep us from moving forward, but it doesn't have to be that way. There are antidotes for perfectionism.

1. Believe that no one is perfect. You will liberate yourself when you lower your expectations from perfect to realistic. Don't be afraid to make a mistake. You don't have to be perfect to be happy.

2. Let go and let God handle things. It takes a lot of faith to let go of those things over which we have no control.

3. Learn contentment. Life must be lived in less than perfect circumstances. Accept that. Love the moment, and enjoy the journey. Dump the pressure that says you must be perfect to be accepted.

It's time to break out of your prison of perfectionism. Identify what you need to do and take the first step. Even if you fall flat on your face, you will have gained at least five feet. Then take the second step, and the third. Before you know it, you will be making terrific progress. Not perfection, but progress!

©Copyright 2010 Mary Hunt
Everyday Cheapskate is a Registered Trademark

"So I realized then that the best thing we can do is enjoy what we have worked for. There is nothing else we can do..." (Ecclesiates 3:22 GNB)

Are You Sabotaging Yourself?

Well, are you? What mental roadblocks are you creating in your mind that's preventing you from moving forward? Have you considered the thought that you've created roadblocks to keep you from moving forward? Think about it. If your mind is in a haze and you keep thinking, "Well, what about this," or, "Well, what about that," you don't have to spend time making a decision. Making a decision means living with the choice you make. What if the choice isn't a good one? What if you shouldn't have made that move, took that trip, said those words OR what if you should have made that move, took that trip, said those words...

What if, what if, what if. It's just another reason to prevent you from moving forward in life. Moving forward involves risk because we can't see into the future. However, what is more draining to your life: taking a chance or remaining where you are? If you're like me you're tired, and it's from going around the same "what ifs" over and over and over again. Your mind is constantly spinning but you are physically getting nowhere. Why do we continue to sabotage ourselves with out thoughts, insecurities, etc?

Take a step. Make a move. We haven't gotten to this place in life by being afraid. To others the strength it takes to make your next move may seem foolish. Yet, that same strength will move you closer to becoming the person you desire to be.

Can we make the commitment with to stop sabotaging ourselves?


10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. (Psalms 30 KJV)

"Your B.I.G. Dream" from the TIMC Blog

This following is from the The Innovative Marketplace Christian Blog hosted by Rick Hubbell:

Your B.I.G. Dream

Take care,
Clarissa


"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)

Feeling Stuck? Start Moving and Keep Moving

Well, the title explains the lack of posts over the months. There are times in life when we just feel stuck. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, on this journey of change is happening. What's the best way out of this situation?

I've found that the best way out of feeling stuck is to do something outside of your norm. It doesn't have to be anything big. Go for walks. Start reading that book you keep meaning to get to. Journal. Draw. Go hiking. Start studying that topic you've been avoiding. Work on a craft. I could keep going on but the list is limitless. Whatever suits you and your personality, just do it. Then, once you've started, keep going. Believe it or not, it's that simple. You'll be surprised at the new things you'll notice about your surroundings or even yourself. The new ideas that head your way aren't so bad either. (Smile)

So if you're feeling stuck, start doing something outside of your normal routine and continue with it.

The object is to keep moving until we reach our goal or final destination.


"I realized another thing, that in this world fast runners do not always win the races, and the brave do not always win the battles..." (Ecclesiastes 9:11 GNB)

28 Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts.
29 He strengthens those who are weak and tired.
30 Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted.
31 But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak. (Isaiah 40:28-31 GNB)

Break Out of the Mold (from Joyce Meyer)

The following excerpt is from the Joyce Meyer article Dare To Be Different:

The world (those we know and deal with on a daily basis who may be family, friends, people in the neighborhood or even in the church) is continually trying to conform us to its image. The word conform means "to be similar in form or character; to behave in accordance with prevailing modes or customs.” Romans 12:2 says, Do not be conformed to this world (this age),…but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…It’s then that we find the good and acceptable will of God for our lives.

People will always try to fit us into their mold, partly due to their own insecurity. It makes them feel better about what they are doing if they can get someone else to do it too. Very few people have the ability to be who they are and let everybody else be who they are. Can you imagine how nice the world would be if we would all do that? Each person would be secure in who he is and let others be who they are. We would not have to try to be imitations of each other.

Overwhelming and Worth It

I haven't blogged in a while, and this devotional inspired today's entry. (I'm intentionally excluding the title because it doesn't directly relate to the subject of this blog entry):

http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/NewLife/11629046

The process of change can be overwhelming. If I'd known two years ago what I know today, Im not sure I would have started on this journey. Life's "comfort zone" has two variables: comfort and death. Of course it's comfortable, hence its name, but that comfort comes at a high cost. It is a death to anything that might cause failure in your life. Therefore trying new things or creating new ventures--i.e. ideas, relationships, etc.--is out of the question because it could crack or dismantle the precarious pedestal of life you're standing on.

There can be no chinks in our armor, no mars or defects in our personality, nothing that could take away from the admiration others have of our life. Yet, are you presenting your real self to others or are you playing a role that you think brings the best rewards? Have you considered that what you think are the best rewards are really just fools gold and life could have more to offer if you stop living up to others' expectations? Why? Because sometimes others' expectations of your life are not as high as your own dreams or aspirations.

Maybe it's time to start reaching for those goals that seem implausible or more than out of reach. If so, I would hope that you would reach your goals, but more importantly that along the way you will discover new and interesting things about yourself and life as well. Having said that, I take my initial statement back. If I'd known two years ago what I know now, I still would have started on this journey. It might have been a slow and half-hearted start, but I would have started it. (Smile)

Why would have I started the process of change despite the fact that it's been overwhelming? Because my expectations are high, and in the end, I believe the results will have made this process of change worthwhile.


36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.
38 Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death ; remain here and keep watch with Me."
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:36-39 NAS)