“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it.”
― Anne Lamott
If you're still reading, thank you. Anne Lamott is the author of a book called "Help, Thanks, Wow." It just so happens she is also my kindred spirit. Hang on while I find my point...
“Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.”
― Anne Lamott
I tend to take the path less traveled, and never by choice. It would be so much more inspiring if I could attest to choosing a path because I knew it would help me grow. More often that not, I am trying to get on the crowded path with everyone else. No growth for me, no thank you, I'd like a smooth ride. I seem to find myself trying to do everything 'just' so in order to give myself this false sense of security. However, for one reason or another, I end up on a different path where I kick and scream until I realize its just where I need to be. Although I've heard you can't fit a square peg in a round hole, I still try, every. single. time. EVEN ON MISSION TRIPS! (gasp)
“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”
― Anne Lamott
Like I wrote in my previous post, I had a sense of urgency after our car ride through what I would consider "the slums." I was seeing naked children, I wanted them clothed. People looking starved, I wanted them fed. And I wanted it done right then. As we settled into the compound on our first day, I couldn't shake my questions. "Why aren't we doing something right now?" "What will our project be?" "When will we start?" "Will we help people?" "Will we do it right?" "Will it last?"--right before my brain played out exactly how I thought our week should look, we were asked if we wanted to visit the vocational school inside the compound.
This is where we first met Madame Sterling. She teaches sewing at the vocational school. The vocational school was set up for students who could better excel outside of the traditional school environment. She took our measurements and immediately began working on skirts for us. She was so happy. And I was so happy that she was so happy. And she was happy that we were happy. It was a happy fest. Little did I know that this relationship we were cultivating would be part of the foundation for our work with HOM.
It was in the evening that the group with Family Health Ministries arrived. I'll go ahead and warn you that it was only fitting that they came into my life with a bang--as all 6 of the women ran at once into our small room, scattering their luggage about--because all 6 of them have changed my life. I'm kind of like their groupie. Ranging in age from 50 to 70, these ladies GIVE ME HOPE! Not only do they have servants hearts, but they are deep. Each of them able to discuss theological topics way over my head were willing to have intellectual conversations with me. (as well as good ol' girl talk.) They were all Episcopal and from Kentucky. We bonded over our love of the liturgical-type worship and our conflicts of being raised in the South.
“Gorgeous, amazing things come into our lives when we are paying attention: mangoes, grandnieces, Bach, ponds. This happens more often when we have as little expectation as possible. If you say, "Well, that's pretty much what I thought I'd see," you are in trouble. At that point you have to ask yourself why you are even here. [...] Astonishing material and revelation appear in our lives all the time. Let it be. Unto us, so much is given. We just have to be open for business.”
― Anne Lamott
So by taking it easy our first day, I was able to meet Madame Sterling and Family Health Minsitries--and those awesome women, who would help me navigate the next week. My on-going prayer went something like "God? HELP! I need a sense of purpose here. You called me here, I came, now I need to do something to fulfill my earthly desire to always be doing something. Where is my job? ....hours later....THANKS for bringing these people into my life to cultivate relationships with....a few more hours later....WOW! now I see that you wanted me to be still and ease myself into this whole "mission" thing. Man oh man am I glad you have the plan!"
****SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE NEXT NEW POST!
― Anne Lamott
If you're still reading, thank you. Anne Lamott is the author of a book called "Help, Thanks, Wow." It just so happens she is also my kindred spirit. Hang on while I find my point...
“Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.”
― Anne Lamott
I tend to take the path less traveled, and never by choice. It would be so much more inspiring if I could attest to choosing a path because I knew it would help me grow. More often that not, I am trying to get on the crowded path with everyone else. No growth for me, no thank you, I'd like a smooth ride. I seem to find myself trying to do everything 'just' so in order to give myself this false sense of security. However, for one reason or another, I end up on a different path where I kick and scream until I realize its just where I need to be. Although I've heard you can't fit a square peg in a round hole, I still try, every. single. time. EVEN ON MISSION TRIPS! (gasp)
“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”
― Anne Lamott
Like I wrote in my previous post, I had a sense of urgency after our car ride through what I would consider "the slums." I was seeing naked children, I wanted them clothed. People looking starved, I wanted them fed. And I wanted it done right then. As we settled into the compound on our first day, I couldn't shake my questions. "Why aren't we doing something right now?" "What will our project be?" "When will we start?" "Will we help people?" "Will we do it right?" "Will it last?"--right before my brain played out exactly how I thought our week should look, we were asked if we wanted to visit the vocational school inside the compound.
This is where we first met Madame Sterling. She teaches sewing at the vocational school. The vocational school was set up for students who could better excel outside of the traditional school environment. She took our measurements and immediately began working on skirts for us. She was so happy. And I was so happy that she was so happy. And she was happy that we were happy. It was a happy fest. Little did I know that this relationship we were cultivating would be part of the foundation for our work with HOM.
It was in the evening that the group with Family Health Ministries arrived. I'll go ahead and warn you that it was only fitting that they came into my life with a bang--as all 6 of the women ran at once into our small room, scattering their luggage about--because all 6 of them have changed my life. I'm kind of like their groupie. Ranging in age from 50 to 70, these ladies GIVE ME HOPE! Not only do they have servants hearts, but they are deep. Each of them able to discuss theological topics way over my head were willing to have intellectual conversations with me. (as well as good ol' girl talk.) They were all Episcopal and from Kentucky. We bonded over our love of the liturgical-type worship and our conflicts of being raised in the South.
“Gorgeous, amazing things come into our lives when we are paying attention: mangoes, grandnieces, Bach, ponds. This happens more often when we have as little expectation as possible. If you say, "Well, that's pretty much what I thought I'd see," you are in trouble. At that point you have to ask yourself why you are even here. [...] Astonishing material and revelation appear in our lives all the time. Let it be. Unto us, so much is given. We just have to be open for business.”
― Anne Lamott
So by taking it easy our first day, I was able to meet Madame Sterling and Family Health Minsitries--and those awesome women, who would help me navigate the next week. My on-going prayer went something like "God? HELP! I need a sense of purpose here. You called me here, I came, now I need to do something to fulfill my earthly desire to always be doing something. Where is my job? ....hours later....THANKS for bringing these people into my life to cultivate relationships with....a few more hours later....WOW! now I see that you wanted me to be still and ease myself into this whole "mission" thing. Man oh man am I glad you have the plan!"
****SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE NEXT NEW POST!
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