Weeks 14 and 15 of the New Years Goals
These past few weeks have been a less than enjoyable from a work standpoint. The number of commitments I have taken on in addition to the current workload has proven to take it's toll, and as a result I'm already a week behind in updating my journal (among being behind in other areas). I've never been so physically drained from doing design work. This past Friday, I got home at 6:00 PM and slept from that time onto 7:00 AM the next day. It was needed.
However, I have discovered something through this process. I'm getting older. No breaking news there, but there are significant changes that one must make to his/her sleeping schedule when you lack the energy of youthfulness. That being "more sleep". I'm going to work on getting a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep a night for the rest of the week. Having had enough rest this weekend (which in and of itself is an oddity), I found myself to be fully energized for Monday. And thus I was far more productive at my place of work. I was even able to come up with some creative ideas that we may be seeing integrated into packaging in Home Depot within the year.
I was able to have some fun my birthday weekend with a small gathering for a Rock Band party, and then more fun this past weekend, as I was in a cornhole tournament and then traveled to Holland, MI to visit with Leah and do some swing dancing. It was good to see Leah again. I really do miss her company and friendship. Her and Holland became such a large part of my life that it was hard to leave. She really is a great woman, and I can't express how happy I am to have her in my life after all we've been through. I feel bad for her in so many ways... she could easily have found a man to love her, but finding one that wants to go and do full time missions work in Uganda is going to be tough. Especially since she medically can't go safely due to her crohn's disease. It breaks my heart to see her longing to be with someone and knowing that God has a plan for her that she can't act on at the same time. It has to be frustrating beyond belief. Please pray for her.
As for myself... I'm retiring from dating for now. I've recently discovered a blues song that sums it up the best.
"You've Got to Hurt Before You Heal" by Bobby "Blue" Bland
When you lose the one you love
You heart goes through changes
Especially when your sweet memories
Still hold their thrill
And just when you think
The pain is all gone
Don't fool yourself
'Cause here's the deal
That's the way love works
You've got to hurt before you heal
Oh, yes you have
You gonna cry all you gonna cry
And when the tears
They may stop falling
They may stop falling all down your face
But they still fall down your heart
You never know
How long the wound'll take to heal
It might take months
It could take years
But that's the way love works
You've got to hurt...oh...before you heal
I said before you heal
You're gonna cry
Oh, you're gonna cry
And when the tears
They may stop fallin'
They may stop fallin' down your face
But they still fall down your heart
Oh you never know
How long the wound'll take to heal
It might take months
It could take years
But that's the way love works
Uh huh, you got to hurt
Well before you heal
Oh yes you have
Just when you think the pain is all gone
Don't fool yourself
'Cause here's the deal
And that's the way love works
Lord you got to hurt before you heal
Oh yes you have
That's the way love works
You got to hurt...well...before you heal
Let us sing it one more time
That's the way love works
Lord you got to hurt before you heal
Oh yes you have
That's the way love works
Lord you got to hurt before you heal...
And now for an update on the goals.
1. Paying off College Early = The El Salvador missions trip is now paid for, so I can focus on my own finances again. First things first, I have to get the emergency fund built back up. I suppose I should be thankful for the overtime now...
2. Reading the Bible in One Year = Not going well.
3. Good Works in God's Name = Go and pray with someone. Nuff' said.
4. Achieve 2nd Degree Brown Belt Status in Sanchin-Ryu = About 7 weeks away (if I start showing up to class again that is...).
5. Run a Full Marathon = Not progressing well.
Side Note = 4 months in, and I feel like things are swaying out of control. The sad thing is, these are all things I DO have a reasonable amount of control over. It's my slacker mentality that needs an adjustment. That being the case, "No More Slacking" is my new motto for the rest of the year. It's time for me to kick some tail around here.
Take Care and God Bless,
Chad
However, I have discovered something through this process. I'm getting older. No breaking news there, but there are significant changes that one must make to his/her sleeping schedule when you lack the energy of youthfulness. That being "more sleep". I'm going to work on getting a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep a night for the rest of the week. Having had enough rest this weekend (which in and of itself is an oddity), I found myself to be fully energized for Monday. And thus I was far more productive at my place of work. I was even able to come up with some creative ideas that we may be seeing integrated into packaging in Home Depot within the year.
I was able to have some fun my birthday weekend with a small gathering for a Rock Band party, and then more fun this past weekend, as I was in a cornhole tournament and then traveled to Holland, MI to visit with Leah and do some swing dancing. It was good to see Leah again. I really do miss her company and friendship. Her and Holland became such a large part of my life that it was hard to leave. She really is a great woman, and I can't express how happy I am to have her in my life after all we've been through. I feel bad for her in so many ways... she could easily have found a man to love her, but finding one that wants to go and do full time missions work in Uganda is going to be tough. Especially since she medically can't go safely due to her crohn's disease. It breaks my heart to see her longing to be with someone and knowing that God has a plan for her that she can't act on at the same time. It has to be frustrating beyond belief. Please pray for her.
As for myself... I'm retiring from dating for now. I've recently discovered a blues song that sums it up the best.
"You've Got to Hurt Before You Heal" by Bobby "Blue" Bland
When you lose the one you love
You heart goes through changes
Especially when your sweet memories
Still hold their thrill
And just when you think
The pain is all gone
Don't fool yourself
'Cause here's the deal
That's the way love works
You've got to hurt before you heal
Oh, yes you have
You gonna cry all you gonna cry
And when the tears
They may stop falling
They may stop falling all down your face
But they still fall down your heart
You never know
How long the wound'll take to heal
It might take months
It could take years
But that's the way love works
You've got to hurt...oh...before you heal
I said before you heal
You're gonna cry
Oh, you're gonna cry
And when the tears
They may stop fallin'
They may stop fallin' down your face
But they still fall down your heart
Oh you never know
How long the wound'll take to heal
It might take months
It could take years
But that's the way love works
Uh huh, you got to hurt
Well before you heal
Oh yes you have
Just when you think the pain is all gone
Don't fool yourself
'Cause here's the deal
And that's the way love works
Lord you got to hurt before you heal
Oh yes you have
That's the way love works
You got to hurt...well...before you heal
Let us sing it one more time
That's the way love works
Lord you got to hurt before you heal
Oh yes you have
That's the way love works
Lord you got to hurt before you heal...
And now for an update on the goals.
1. Paying off College Early = The El Salvador missions trip is now paid for, so I can focus on my own finances again. First things first, I have to get the emergency fund built back up. I suppose I should be thankful for the overtime now...
2. Reading the Bible in One Year = Not going well.
3. Good Works in God's Name = Go and pray with someone. Nuff' said.
4. Achieve 2nd Degree Brown Belt Status in Sanchin-Ryu = About 7 weeks away (if I start showing up to class again that is...).
5. Run a Full Marathon = Not progressing well.
Side Note = 4 months in, and I feel like things are swaying out of control. The sad thing is, these are all things I DO have a reasonable amount of control over. It's my slacker mentality that needs an adjustment. That being the case, "No More Slacking" is my new motto for the rest of the year. It's time for me to kick some tail around here.
Take Care and God Bless,
Chad