Moving to Hawaii

Hello!
It has been awhile since I composed a post. Things improved since then, or rather the downs weren't so down. Now, I have good news: we are going to move to Hawaii at the end of May. I hope to feel inspired to take pictures again, and post some here. I am looking forward to it!

Caring for others.

Now, here is where balance really comes into play. We have already discussed our relationship with God and taking care of our own needs. But Jesus advises us that there is more happiness in giving than in receiving. So, how do we balance the three main aspects of our existence? I would say, perspective.

What is it that we owe to others? All the ways that we serve others can be summed up into two categories:
1. Companionship, and
2. Nurturing.

Companionship is being with someone. It is a basic human need. We are social creatures. Hence, the telephone, the Internet, mail, texting, Twitter, Facebook, etc., etc., etc. But are these viable options for satisfying all of our companionship needs? Certainly not. There is no substitute for face-to-face interaction. And do not rule out the power of touch! Babies deprived of touch waste away, but the same can happen to adults.  True attention and taking the time to really be (in mind and heart) with others is companionship. We owe the gift of companionship to others.
Nurturing involves helping fulfill the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others. Volunteer work, taking care of family members,' workmates' and friends' needs satisfies in us that basic human desire to serve others.
Without working hard to help others, our lives will seem empty and without purpose.

But what happens when we are consumed by the pain associated with grieving or other hard times? Is it possible to get up in the morning feeling impulsed to take care of the three aspects of life that we have discussed (our relationship with God, our self-care and our serving others)?
It is not easy, and if you are struggling through one of those hard times, my heart goes out to you. One thing that can help is simplifying our life- concentrating on those three life motivations. Make it your goal to do small things every day to satisfy those needs. Maybe if you are having a difficult day you will be able to find the strength to say a very short prayer, to eat one healthy meal, to smile one smile to a family member. These may be considered by some to be such small things, but to us who are grieving they can seem like mountains! They are mountains that can be climbed, though, and the satisfaction that we derive from climbing them can be just that extra boost that we need to feel that we want to get up in the morning!

My own needs

After such higher thoughts (see previous post) you might think that it would be somehow improper to think next about yourself and your own needs. We are conditioned, especially as women, to sacrifice our own comfort and the satisfaction of taking care of ourselves to a secondary place after attending to others.

But it is natural and healthy to be moved to care for ourselves. What do you do as soon as you get up? Do you make your bed (a need for order)? Do you head to the bathroom to use it and wash up (cleanliness)? Do you go to the kitchen and turn on the old coffeemaker (sustenence and strength!)?
These needs also give us the desire to get up in the morning, and fulfilling them is natural and satisfying.
What daily routines help you to stay focused and feel motivated?

Encouragement

So, what kinds of things make me get up in the morning, despite negativity?
I think about those few moments when I first become conscious. What are the things my mind drifts to? The very first thing is the one that most encourages me: my communication with God.
Prayer is something that has uplifted people since time began. We were designed to feel a desire to have connection with our Creator, just as a baby is designed to reach out to his or her parents. Prayer is not the same as meditation. Prayer is honest, open direction of thoughts and feelings to a higher being, while meditation is a concentration of the mind on a certain phrase or concept. A state similar to some kinds of meditation is achieved during prayer at times, one in which the person experiences greater relaxation and concentration.
What do I pray about? First, for strength to get up. My emotions have been in an uproar lately, and my body has felt the effect of this stress. Second, because I care about how my actions and thoughts affect my Creator, I ask for forgiveness from him for the errors I have committed the day before or am sure to commit during the day that is beginning. I know that he is compassionate and especially understand what I have been going through like no person on earth could.
I also ask him to help me in my struggle to overcome certain bad tendencies, like anger.
I thank him for giving me another day of life. Even with troubles, life is still worth living, because there will be gifts provided, even though they might seem small sometimes.
These are just some of the things that I pray about. What do you pray for? How does prayer help you to feel optimistic? I would love to hear from you in the comments. Have a good day!

I once saw a movie in which a man who was grieving was asked how he coped. He said, "I get up in the morning, and I breathe in and out..." I remind myself of these words when I am feeling that life is becoming too much for me.
I hope by means of this blog to share things that help me to feel that I can get up in the morning, ready to face another day.