Community

      In August, I set a goal. I was going to make sure that I had at least one social event planned every week. At the time, I just thought it was going to be a goal that prevented me from staying in my apartment every night and doing nothing (which I was completely content with). Little did I know that it was going to become a major part of my life. The people that I meet up with have become a huge part of my life. They are the people that I want to share exciting events with. They are the people that I call up when I am afraid to go and do something on my own. They are the people that I swap recipes with. They are the people who let me share stories from work with, whether those stories are frustrating or funny. They are the people that are there for me, in both a physical and emotional sense. They are my community. 

      In preparation for this blog post, I did what all great researchers do... I went on Pinterest. I simply typed "community" into the search bar and perused the things that came up. I looked at quotes from Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Mr. Rodgers, and of course... the cookie monster. But one thing that I noticed as my eyes swept left to right across the pages is that so many of the quotes were about depression. About loneliness. About pain. And it really got me thinking. Do we only view "community" as the anecdote for loneliness (I don't know about you but I have definitely been lonely in a room full of people)? Or do we view it as its own critical part of our well-being? I think we should begin to challenge each other to view it as a critical part of our well being.

      There is a second part of community that I would like to point out. Being in a community helps you to feel like you aren't alone. In the right type of community, it will help you to feel like if you weren't there, someone would notice. Someone would care. For most people, this is a huge thing. It helps them to have the confidence to be who they need to be, who they were created to be.

      According to many experts there are three main types of community: location based, identity based, and organizationally based. As I wrap up my thoughts I challenge you to think about the communities you are a part of. What are they doing for you? What can you do for them? 

      This is something that has been on my mind for a while so feel free to comment below and let me know how community impacts your daily life. I'd love to hear your stories!

The Silver Lining

          So, I’ve been on an “adventure” lately and am trying to figure out what lessons are coming from these experiences. My car has been giving me all kind of trouble. You know, the kind of trouble where no one can figure out what is wrong or how to fix it. Then they are convinced that it is fixed and your car refuses to leave work at the end of the day. So, you learn a lot about the local tow truck drivers, their families, and their business endeavors. Yeah, that kind of adventure.

But, I’ve figured out a few things from this “adventure.” And I figured that those lessons would make a great blog post. So here it goes:

1.       People ultimately are cool: I have had person after person offer to help me out for the past month. From giving me rides to work, to offering to bring me groceries, to meeting me at the mechanic with hot chocolate and a peanut butter cookie and better yet… a hug. I think that we all get into our day to day routines and forget that we are all interconnected and that we need each other.

2.       A supportive family is a blessing: From the first phone call saying that I was stranded, to the hysterical second phone call, to the defeated third phone call, my family has been there for me. The Mom willing to drive 2 hours after a long day at work, the Dad who is trying to search his brain for what could possibly be wrong with the car and helps you find and purchase a new car, and the Grama who is just going to replace the car that is doing you wrong. Not a lot of people have such a strong supportive family and I am so thankful that I do.

3.       Money can be a pretty big deal, but it shouldn’t have control: This one is pretty self-explanatory, but don’t let money have power over you. That’s a bad idea.

4.       Sometimes it isn’t your lesson to learn: Someone pointed out to me that the car trouble might not exist because of a lesson that I need to learn. Maybe someone needed to know that I depended on them. Maybe someone needed another person to talk to. Maybe they needed me to not be on the road as they were driving. Maybe they needed to see how to trust God in any situation. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t about me.

Now, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I am thankful for this whole “adventure,” but I will strive to discover all of the lessons to come out of it. Because if you’ve got a situation, it’s worth your time to find the silver lining.

Thinking Things

               

          I have been alone a lot lately. Partly because my car is no longer and partly because it is my "slow season." And it is making me think. When you are alone in your apartment, you have plenty of time. And how you choose to fill that time can tell a lot about you. Now, don't go jumping to conclusions about what this blog post is gonna say, I'm not going to make you feel all down on yourself for watching Netflix and cruising Facebook... we've all done it. But the thoughts and mindset that you enter into when you are left to your own devices tells a lot about where you've been and where you are going. 

          So I challenge you to think about what you are thinking about when you are alone. Is it propelling you into the future you that you want to be? Maybe you don't know who the future you is... that's ok! I just want to challenge you to take a second and think!

Invest in Relationships

     Another question that was asked of me recently went something like this: "How do you invest in the relationships in your life?" In my mind, I instantly responded, "Nope. I'm single. No relationship for me to invest in." But then I pushed back that insecure part of me and started thinking about all of the relationships that are present in my life. 

     My relationships with my mom, dad, grama, and sisters. My relationship with my nieces. My relationships with my students. My relationships with my friends who live locally. My relationships with my friends who live farther away. My relationships with my co-workers who get to see my when I am most stressed :/ My relationships with the people in my small group Bible study. All of these people, in all aspects of my life. 

      What would our lives be without other people? (all of the introverts are saying things such as "peaceful" and "lovely") But seriously, we are all interdependent in some way or another so without those people, what would your life look like? So then my follow-up question is this, what are you doing to devote yourself to those people? 

     As I sit here and type this, I am asking myself all the same questions. Yes, it is easier for me to sit here in my apartment and cruise Pinterest while watching Netflix, but wouldn't writing a letter to a friend from camp (while watching Netflix) be a better way to devote myself to others? A better way to invest in the people around me?

     This post isn't really an "upper". It's a little convicting (at least for me) and a bit hard to digest. So, maybe as a way to turn things around, grab a pen and paper, or open up a new text message, and thank those who have been investing in you recently.  Because they are the people who make all the difference in this thing called life.

Time to Invest

     I don't want this to be a post that leaves you feeling lousy about yourself and leads you to go and eat a tub of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, I only want it to get you thinking for a moment. You see, someone posed this question to me about a month ago and it has been swirling around in my mind every since, "What do you invest your time in?" And then, they challenged me to make a list of things that I spend the most time on. Looking back at the list, there are some things that I would like to change (like the amount of time watching "Sabrina the Teenage Witch"), but there are some things that I am really proud of (such as teaching children to read and be kind to each other). 

     I don't think that I need to completely eliminate the "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" times, but I do think that I need to be more conscious of my time. I'm not suggesting that you need to overbook yourself because you feel you need to choose more wisely, nor am I asking you to defend the way that you currently spend your time. I just want you to consider. Maybe take one hour a week and invest it in something that means a lot to you. Maybe to you that means volunteering at a local animal shelter, or writing letters to friends who are having a hard time. Maybe that means calling your mom or grandma at 7:00pm every Tuesday or texting your little sister as she goes in to take an exam. 

     Either way, take a moment, reflect on where you are investing your time. Is it where you would like it to be invested?

The History Behind "Project: Appreciation"

     A few months ago, I was thinking about the holiday season. I was thinking about how rushed everyone is. I was thinking about how we tend to go through the checkout line with a brief "hello" and a "have a good day". Well, last year I attended a church service in Florida about giving and joy. And at the end of service,  they handed out cards that simply said, "You're job isn't easy, Christmas may even make it worse. I want to let you know, I appreciate you." Once I left that church and came back to Michigan, I attached a candy cane to each card and handed them out for the next two weeks. Let me tell you, I saw a change in the way that I approached the check-out at a store. I approached it with an excitement to show someone that I really cared. Now let's forget about how it made me feel because giving is about the recipient, I saw person after person shocked, astounded that someone would care. I don't know how much it impacted their life, but I hope that they felt loved.

     I hope that you choose to appreciate others in a tangible way this season. Whether you use these cards or write your own notes, choose to give this season. My hope is that you will feel the exhilaration of being kind to others. I hope that as a collective community we can touch lives, if only for a moment, this holiday season.

     For more information on "Project: Appreciation", see my original blog post here. 

Happy Holiday Giving!!

Project: Appreciation

     It was September of this year and I was already thinking about Christmas (it's a sickness... I know). I was thinking about how I was going to make my Christmas different than past ones. I wanted to make it a worthwhile time where I could show God's love to others. So I started praying. I had read the book "I Like Giving" by Brad Formsa and this is the project that formed from those two things.

Here's how it works:

1. You take (or request) as many cards as you would like to give out.

2. Optional: Attach something to the back of the card. I attached candy canes, some folks attached gift cards or small trinkets or ornaments.

3. Pass them out! Once it hits black Friday time (or even a bit before) start to spread the love! When you are in the checkout, when you see your mail carrier, when you see anyone and everyone who's job might be made a little more tough around Christmas give them a card! (I would generally exchange the cashier when he/she handed me my receipt)

4. Walk away quickly and feel the joy of giving and thinking about someone else this holiday season :)

Disclaimers:

     I know that not everyone feels comfortable giving a gift to a stranger- but I encourage you to do it anyway. Giving isn't about your comfort, it's about changing the world through love and living generously.

     Some companies have policies that don't allow their employees to accept gifts. I handed out over 25 cards last year (some at big box stores) and never ran into this issue. However, the goal of this project isn't to get anyone in trouble so I urge you to read the card to the intended recipient, wish them a Merry Christmas, and be on your way.

     But Katie, we should appreciate everyone at all times! I agree! But the thing is, sometimes we remember to appreciate others when it is more convenient for us. It's a human thing. The holidays are a rushed time, it's just their nature, so this will "force" you to remember the people around you. Plus, the holidays are hard for a lot of people who have lost loved ones or have obligations that they have to fulfill, so often times people need someone to care. Go ahead, create your own cards for the rest of the year- making generous living your lifestyle!

How do I get cards?

                I ordered 1000 cards trusting that God would show me the people who are willing to go out and spread His love through appreciation. So basically, ask for them! If you are a friend, text or tweet or Facebook message me and I can deliver some cards or mail them to you in an envelope!  If you are reading this blog, comment below!

     I hope that you consider doing this project with me as I scatter the state of Michigan with appreciation for others. Maybe you need to do it to keep your heart in the right place during the busy season. Maybe you want to do it as part of a Random Acts of Kindness pledge that you have made. Maybe you want to do it in honor of someone that you have lost this year. Maybe you want to do it, just to do it! I hope that you'll find that your heart is in a giving place, not a place of pity for others or self-righteousness. Don't hand them out to put on a show, hand them out to change the world and choose to live generously this holiday season.

Original project design by Mosaic Church near Orlando, Florida.

#livegenerously inspired by "I Like Giving" -ilikegiving.com