"Energy is the essence of life. Every day
you decide how you're going to use it by
knowing what you want and what it
takes to reach that goal, and by
maintaining focus." - Oprah
Before I realized this is an Oprah quote, it spoke to me for several reasons. First, I have been listing to an online series by Beth Moore called "Wising Up" (check it out: http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Living_Proof_with_Beth_Moore/archives.asp?bcd=3/1/2010). It is a study out of the book of Proverbs for women (and men, Ryan has been known to eavesdrop) who want wisdom. I have been most encouraged by the three sessions on Wising Up at Work where Beth Moore encourages listeners to change our thoughts towards work. To help her listeners change their thoughts towards work she applies a word to each day of the week to focus on during that workday.
Monday-Attitude
Tuesday-ENERGY
Wednesday-Ethics
Thursday- Advice
Friday-Influence
Despite finding her study encouraging, I feel it is inspired. Energy is the perfect word for Tuesday, it is the slump day right before hump day (Wednesday). Not as dreadful as Monday (but I am working on my attitude), not the middle of the week, and certainly not the end of the week which includes Thursday and Friday. It is Tuesday when I often ask myself how I will get through another 3 days!
I have began doing longer workouts Tuesday mornings to pump the endorphins through my body, sweat, and energize my day. I do kickboxing and punches to work out anxiety and frustration. For the last two Tuesdays I have felt a noticeable difference in my energy level. I have also focused on exuding energy in my teaching so that my students experience and thrive off of my energy and enthusiasm.
That is the first reason this Oprahism spoke to me on this Tuesday evening. The second reason is deeper. In the last several weeks I have felt a tugging at my sleeve and heart strings to find focus for my energies. To settle down my thoughts and put my research and faculties to use, to create something, to accomplish a goal.
Last night, I shared with my bible study, that my fear of failure is crippling and that it is married to a fear of the unknown. I don't know exactly which one of the toxic couple prevents me from stepping out and setting goals to do things I have never done and don't know exactly how to do, but I need to throw these fears out the window to live for the now.
What Oprah says to me is that I need to focus my energy in what I do in every moment, not in what I want to do in the future, or what I think I might want to do. I live for now. Right now. And I trust God to take care of the future.
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