Makeover Madness

I dont know about you, but usually at the start of each new year people dream up these fancy resolutions that they wish to do or change in there lives, maybe they did take stock of last years errors or feel they need a change within themselves.....well, I am not the type of person to start with these fanciful resolutions, but I definitely do stock taking and am most grateful for all the blessings in my life and ask God to help me to bless others in my journey for the new year.

So, 2014 has not been any different, yet it has been different too.  As I am now officially on a disability pension I decreed 2014 to be "my year" a year where I would like to do things for me myself and I, (not in a selfish way) but putting me first instead of second, needing to fill my emotional, spiritual and physical tank.  Doing a total makeover.

So, taking the bull by the horns, the first "physical" action is doing a makeover of my bathroom and kitchen, making it user friendly for later in my life...a walk in shower, no more bath, a kitchen to last a life time. I am soooo excited I can burst by the seems.

But in reflecting on all this, I can not help but also look at the spiritual aspects, this being my "spiritual" action.  There is a time in our life when God says fine lads...time for a makeover.  Sometimes He brings us to a point in our life where we need to sit back, look and listen and then we need to rest a bit in His presence and truth, to gather the energy we need to enjoy the makeover.  While all this takes place I will enjoy having my emotional cup filled and may it over flow joyfully.

Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Psalm 127:1-2
Father, build our house. Father, watch over our city. Father, give us sweet sleep, true rest and surpassing peace as we seek you, find you, and trust in you alone. Amen.

May you be blessed...and in being blessed share your blessing with another

http://vivhamman.wix.com/vivienne-hamman

Dear Workaholic

The Workaholics: These low self-esteem sufferers know they have the ability and skills to be successful in their careers and devote the majority of their time and energy into making that happen. Success brings them a degree of satisfaction and feelings of adequacy as long as they remain in the job or position from which they get praise and/or respect and reward. Tending to gravitate where they feel best about themselves, work becomes a form of self-sabotage, as they place work before family or social arenas in which they feel less adequate. Workaholics often don't have time for a personal life or ignore and neglect those who are in their lives. Often they become overachievers.

Do you know of some one that's a workaholic?  I sure do, even I have been termed by people as being a "workaholic"  One day, a friend of mine Paul, told me to get a life, because all I do is work, work at work work at home, work for this or that, but never take time for me and then for my family.
Did I change? No, I just reshuffled things a bit to look like I changed, and made excuses..."Oh, Im still at work, trying to avoid the traffic you know" or "I'm just busy with a student, you cant chase them out and say you going home now!" when in fact the student left ages ago but you still hanging around in the office.

Why do we do that?  Is it because there are just so many demands in the work place lately that you even go to the loo with you iPad, Blackberry Z10 or PS4/5 or whatever device that is now so convenient that you can work from home, in the car, on the toilet, while on a holiday, in Church?  I mean...it can operate on silent right? No one will know what you typing away there.

Are we avoiding something or someone?  Maybe you avoiding those GIANTS in your head, maybe you avoiding being lonely, or maybe things are not as it should be at home.

Do you have anything to prove at work? Oh I can really get started on this topic....particularly where we find ourselves presently in South Africa,  in the unhealthy work climate of employment equity, the undermining, the jealousy of colleagues one to another, backstabbing and just plain old insecurities.  But, its not the answer is it.

So how do we overcome the insecurity of being a Workaholic?
Tuff question I do admit.
1. Realise it can become addictive
2. What are you avoiding in your life?
3. You work hard to prove your worth?  

• Identify Why you feel inadequate or worthless?  
• What can you do about it?  
• Better your skills?  why not
• Whatever it is, whatever it takes   DO IT

There is only one person in life that can manage and in a sense direct your life and give you the permission to pursue what ever you intend to do...and that is YOU.

In saying this, its also important to rely on God to provide you wisdom and guidance, leading you to a wonderful invigorating sense of joy freedom and happiness.

This reminds me so of a song we often hear in Church.......Psalm 37:3

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord

And He delighteth in his(your) way

Tho’ he(thats now you) fall, he (you)shall not be utterly cast down

For the Lord upholdeth you with his hand

Be Blessed...here's raising my cuppa to you!