the 'me' generation.

So, here's the thing...

I've had a really hard time blogging lately.  The reason is because I have a different view of the whole blogging thing now.

When I stopped to focus on school, I also stopped reading most blogs in general unless something appealed to me on Facebook.  When I started reading them again, I was a bit startled by how many of the blogs I 'follow' are (seemingly) incredibly self-absorbed.  I actually can't read most of the blogs on my reading list anymore because I try to avoid things that cause me to feel negative and, honestly, I have gotten borderline frustrated while reading.

Before you get upset with me, I'm not saying ALL bloggers are self-absorbed and I AM saying that I have fallen under that category.  As unintentional as it may be, it's still there.  Something has just, very suddenly, started to rub me the wrong way.

So, basically I'm in a bit of a pickle here because I love writing and being silly and sharing my life, but

Am I patting myself on the back too much?

 

 

 

I know this has all changed because of my walk with Christ; that I can never share too much, so I'm cool with talking about it.  I also know that John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Life" is really speaking to me and LET ME TELL YOU it's been quite humbling and frustrating all at the same time.

It's not just in the blogger world, but every day conversations where I've started to notice how many people use the word 'I' or 'me.'  I've begun to notice how many people can turn conversation back to themselves, how many people make choices because based on what's easiest for them, and how many people get frustrated when things don't go the way they wanted them to.

Again, I'm not excluding myself here.
Every time I get annoyed about doing something that is for the better good of my family, there's a bit of selfishness involved.

We shouldn't do things for people because it's our 'role' or because we have to, we should do things for people because we love them.

The quicker we get away from thinking or saying "Why should I?" or "What's in it for me?" or "How can I be the happiest?" and begin by reminding ourselves that we should be driven by love, the less frustration, anger, and grudges we will have.

And that is truly freeing.

The good thing is, all of this is beginning to make me much more aware of my own actions and reactions to people.  The bad thing is, it's also beginning to make me much more aware of other's actions and reactions.

I know I can't control what other people do, but I can definitely change my own actions and I can encourage other people to consider others before themselves.

So, here's my encouragement:
Think before you act/react.

Is it really that serious that your significant other leaves dirty socks on the couch?  I mean, it's gross, but it's not that serious.
Should you really buy that super expensive shirt (or whatever) because you soooo deserve it...even though you can't pay your credit card bill?
Should you really tailgate the person in front of you for going slowly and pass them whilst giving the finger because they had the audacity to keep you up?  Are you really so special that it's okay to cut someone off because you have somewhere to be?
Do your kids really deserve to get yelled at for whatever slightly annoying thing he/she is doing today?
Does your coworker really deserve that attitude?
Does anyone really deserve that attitude?

Just for a day, try to put someone else's wants/needs before your own.
And don't just say you are, really do it.
Having a servant's heart isn't the same as not caring about yourself.
I know it sounds weird, but giving (physically and emotionally) until it hurts is probably one of the greatest feelings ever.

Stay tuned for my post on how the most important thing in life isn't to be happy.
GASP!



A Heart for Brazil!

In my post about Giving, I briefly introduced you to my sister, Helen, who has chosen to give up her life to serve others.  Here, you will learn a little more about her and her amazing heart for Brazil.

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My God loves me despite my daily disobedience and it never ceases to blow my mind.  Giving up a life I've built for myself for a life God has already built for me isn't a sacrifice, it's just LOVE.  The life I once planned in Brazil is nothing compared to the life He has for me there.  A journey to deny myself, love His children and make Him famous...here goes nothin!  

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To help her get to Brazil, Helen has created T-Shirts and Bracelets - they're super cute AND for a good cause:

A Heart For Brazil

T-Shirt $20.00 USD Bracelet $3.00 USD Donation $2.00 USD Donation $5.00 USD

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 Use the link n this post or you can use the one on the top right of my page to purchase a Tee, a Bracelet, or to make a donation ($2.00 and $5.00 increments).  If you have any questions or would like to do more to help, please contact me at daniels.susane@gmail.com.  And don't forget to pass it on!

Ready. Set. GIVE!

Giving.

{poncho - F21}

For some reason, talking about 'giving' makes people uncomfortable.  One of the things (among too many to even mention) that I love about my family is their ability to give unselfishly. 

If I ever need anything, my mama is the first person to give it to me.  Never mind the fact that she gives of herself every day to patients and gets paid crap; money to my mom is just money - she has very little and is the first person to step up and give it all away.  My twin, who I call 'Buddy' or 'Twin', is the same in that he is quick to give whatever he has, even if it's not a lot.  I remember going off to college and not having the money for books; I called Buddy crying and he paid for them on multiple occasions.  My sister, Wendy, was the first person to make sure I knew my son would be taken care of when I learned I was pregnant (followed closely by her husband, Jason).  My sister, Helen, has given her life to serve the Lord and others.  At the age of 29, she knows where He wants her (Brazil) - how many people can say they know exactly where God wants them to be?  She's living on a teacher's salary in the south, pays a mortgage, and is still able to tithe what little she has left.

It really hurts my heart when my friends share their financial struggles with me or when I see my family struggling financially; I find myself wishing I had the money to help.  I've learned from my family that we're called to give until it hurts - a concept that not a lot of people really understand.  I understand living within my means and I am constantly looking for ways to save money.  I also believe in the importance of saving money for emergencies and paying off high interest loans.  Above all of this, I believe in the importance of giving to our neighbors.

This weekend, I learned a pretty valuable lesson about giving as I examined my reactions to mutliple friends in my life; on one hand, I am supportive, on the other I sometimes decide, "well, you got yourself into this mess..."  I learned that it's not up to us to decide whether or not another person is worthy of a gift; if he/she needs it, give it.  As I am, I am so unworthy of the love of God and I am so unworthy of this life, so who am I to judge someone else's situation? 

It hit me like a ton of bricks this morning - GIVE AS YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN.  During the holiday season, we all get caught up in our own circles and forget to look around at all the people who don't have what we have.  Even worse, we forget the true meaning of Christmas and the awesome, selfless love of Christ who gave without reason.  If you have even a little bit to spare, I would really challenge you to help those who don't, regardless of their circumstances.

A little kindness goes a loooooooooong way.