January 13, 2012
Yesterday I suggested we figure out what we need and then ask for it. I did a lot of thinking of about the question. I spend a lot of time with women (me included) and it is common for us to want others to read our minds. We rationalize that our body language and voice intonations should tell the story. In my self-exploration I realized that often I share extended sighs and eye rolls in an effort to communicate disgust or disapproval. This is not... asking for what I want. Instead it generally conveys disrespect to others and increases frustration in myself.
Yesterday I tried to figure out what I really want. Do I want to be alone, do I want help, do I want sympathy, or do I want affection. No one can read my mind. In fact if I don't know what I want then my friends, family and spouse are just stabbing in the dark trying to deposit love. When I spend a few minutes introspectively, I often figure out what is truly bothering me and it takes a small deposit to fill my love tank.
The unintended consequence of figuring out what I want... is an increase in my prayer life. When I feel overwhelmed emotionally and I stop to pray, I receive amazing clarity. The clarity allows me to see the problem differently and often identifies the steps I can take to affect change. When I pray and ask for "the peace that passes understanding" I are guided into truth.
Tip for the day: Figure out one thing that you would like today and identify who can meet the need and ask that person for it!
Hey Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI just read this and started wondering 'What do I want for myself?'. The thing that came to mind was to lose weight. That didn't seem like enough though. Wanting that for just me wasn't enough. So I called Brian out of his room and asked him if I lost a significant amount of weight over the next few months how would he feel about that. He told me he would be extremely proud and excited for me. To see the change might even get him to start chasing his own dreams :-). This is what I really wanted. To be cheered on in my pursuits. Tomorrow I plan on asking Perry when and where we are meeting up on Monday to work out, haha. Thank you for sharing all of this. You're helping me understand people better and getting me to think about my own life. I don't care how few or how many people read this blog. You are doing the work of your Father in Heaven and encouraging me :-).