My Taylor Swift Lesson
||Issue 77||
We all have stuff to work on
I have come back to this again and again. As work picked up, life picked up, I have had less space, or made less space for this little newsletter, and other writing projects I think about occasionally.
(Not that I think for one minute, that you were sitting and waiting for my email to pop into your inbox.)
Here is what I have been tinkering on for the last few months, hoping to be able to send it at some point.
Surprise, surprise, I am back here writing in a coffee shop. Right now, I am avoiding writing a peer review for work. Not because it is that hard to do…maybe except for the part where I need to identify one area my peer needs to work on. All I can think of is all my weaknesses. Everyone else is doing amazing at their jobs.
It is that same feeling I get when I scroll through Instagram and it seems like everyone is making $1000 extra dollars a month selling cute downloadable on Etsy, or keeping their house immaculate, being fit and very well dressed. Everyone else is thriving, and I still have lots to work on.
That’s a little of what it is like to write a peer review for work.
I write this partly because in case you think I have life all figured out…I don’t. I have stuff to work on. Logically, I know that we all do. However, sometimes I believe the lie that I am the only one who has yet to figure it all out.
That may have been my takeaway from Taylor Swift’s new album. She is someone with billions of dollars and it seems that she still has stuff to work on.
“I cry a lot but I am so productive, it's an art You know you're good when you can even do it With a broken heart”
Sounds like someone who needs a Better Help code.
But I am learning, (and re-learning) how good it feels when you share your stuff, when you stop carrying around the burdens all alone, your problems may not disappear, but at least the weight of loneliness does.
The same goes for the good things too, how much richer are life’s celebrations when you share them with someone or a group of people? It is fun to celebrate the good stuff.
Encouragement
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
This was a verse mentioned in a sunday’s sermon (fitting that it was Mother’s day) but it was exactly the reminder I needed. The reminder that in Jesus I can find rest and peace.
In the past, I think I have struggled with this verse, because I always thought the word “yoke” meant the thing that you put on cattle, to pull a wagon together, or plow a field. (I have images of the Oregon trail in my head) That image evokes more exhaustion for me. However, something the pastor mentioned this time was that what Jesus means by yoke is his “way of life”, his teachings. The Message version was helpful in this context.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)
Jesus was probably tired, he walked a lot, he worked, and he understood what weary felt like. This was such a great reminder of what Jesus meant when he calls us to find rest in him.
It's the Little Things 😊
In my long hiatus, I have so much to share, but I will try only to give you the highlights!
Clothes that fit my body
Lately, I have been trying to update my wardrobe, little by little but I come up against the idea that I am supposed to fit a certain size. The thought I come back to is that “clothes are meant to fit my body, not the other way around.” This takes away some of the emotional weight of trying on jeans. (Maybe more on this later)
Whole Wheat Bread
It isn’t a surprise that I have been baking more bread, but we found this great recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction for a whole wheat sandwich loaf. You could use a mixer to knead or get out your aggression for 10 minutes. Either way it’s delicious and pretty easy!
💎 Gems from the Internet 💎
