Sunday, June 1, 2008

Martian Child

I love movies. It's one of my favorite ways to pass the time. To relax. To enjoy myself. I like a lot of movies, but I wouldn't say they were my favorite. I have only two movies that have made that list: Sweet Home Alabama & The Notebook. Both are amazing love stories that warm my heart. Well, this week, I've finally added a 3rd movie to my favorites list...

MARTIAN CHILD

This movie is newer and it's starring John Cusak and a new kid (I can't remember his name, but he's an amazing young actor.) Anyway, this movie inspired me beyond words! It's such a great movie about kids/people who don't quite "fit it", who always feel "different" and the people who finally do SEE them. 

I feel so strongly that children need to be SEEN. A lot of ideas and feelings form as a child and will shape who they turn out to be and how they see themselves and the world around them. If we can love them unconditionally and inflict the LEAST amount of damage possible, they just might turn out with less problems later in life. Now, I know that there are a million factors that go into that, such as, how a child perceives things, even if it's not reality. But, I also know that there is so much more we can do for the children of the world than what we are doing. So many parents, teachers and other major people of influence in children's lives today are FAILING THEM!!! And unfortunately, many adults know it and simply don't care. They don't have the time or energy or know-how to make the different. They don't make the effort, because it's easier to look the other way. 

Well, here's me on my soap box...it's time to make a difference. It's time to love the children. It's time to SEE the children. It's time to MAKE time for the children. It's time to put the effort into the children. 

Watch this movie - it will inspire you to make that difference!!!

Getting Out of Myself

Okay, it's time to take a break and talk about some things that are a little more "happy." I'll get back to the ED stuff later. For now, I want to share something I've learned recently. Last weekend, my pastor preached a sermon that turned my life around! Well, let me start at the beginning...

Isn't it amazing how God works? A few weeks ago my sister and I had a conversation surrounding self-help. She shared with me that she thought counseling and constantly focusing on your self and your problems was "selfish" and a "waste of time." The conversation bothered me, but I couldn't put my finger on why. (Yup, there's that - still learning to identify feelings - thing going on.) After two weeks of mulling it over and a sermon preached last week by my pastor, it finally hit me...My sister was right.

See, there was some truth to what she was saying. Now, let me tell you about the sermon and then I'll tell you how it ties all together. The sermon was about getting out of yourself and your own agenda, to notice the people around you and the needs they have. He gave an example of being at a store. A woman of a different nationality was at the register and didn't speak very good English. She didn't have enough money on her card, so the clerk would run her card and she'd remove some items from her cart and then the process would begin again. By this time, there was a line of people behind her who were getting quite impatient. My pastor admitted that if he had been in his own head and his own agenda, he probably would've been one of those people. Instead, he made his way to the woman and handed his card to the clerk, trying to tell the woman he was putting her stuff on his card. The woman was concerned, saying she couldn't pay him back. He merely blessed her and went on his way. What an inspiring story, huh? Well, at least it was to me. 

See, I DO believe in self-help, but there IS a balance. I realized that I'd been focusing so intently on self-help for so long, that everything in my relationships (for the most part) had become about me and my problems. I stopped noticing others and their needs. Yes, I DO need to continue to get help and put myself first where I haven't been. But, the difference is focusing on the GOOD things about me and working towards those. Not always focusing on what I need to change about myself. So, for the past 2 weeks, I've been attempting to get out of myself and REALLY listen to everyone else. Amazing things have happened! I'm happier and I've done a lot less talking! :) I've really gotten to know the very people in my life that have always been there, but I didn't really SEE. I've had less anxiety and been more comfortable in my own skin - which in turn has resulted in FAR LESS eating binges! It's incredible!

I challenge you to try it and let me know how it goes!!! What are you waiting for? Get out of yourself TODAY!!!