C'est La Vie

We are struck down on every side, drowning in our emotions and shame, growing faint in heart and beat down...C'est la vie.

Whenever I'm brought to this point, it makes me wonder if it's worth pursuing and whatever happened to my self-worth. The ebb and flow of the constant emotional tide we all feel at times weighs heavy on my shoulders today. I grow tired of feeling the same pain, burdens, and sadness. Does it ever feel like you're trying harder than you ought to, but everything only causes a slight dent in the situation? 

There's a poem the internet claims originated from Mother Teresa, titled "Do It Anyway." It's carries a powerful message. The overall idea is clear: do your best regardless of people's responses. I love that.

Do It Anyway by Mother Teresa 

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

There's a similar passage in the Bible where Paul addresses the church of Colossians. He writes in verse 22:

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Anyway, I realize that every step of a journey people will critique, disapprove, suggest, and much more. But, somewhere along the way people will appreciate, compliment, encourage the things you do. It'll lift your heart! But know that it'll be only a moment before another disapproval comes your way. So live for your own purpose, belief, vision, and don't let other's views of your life lead you astray. We can't live to please everyone - because then, you may have pleased some, but you wouldn't have pleased yourself.

"If you live off a man's compliments, you'll die from his criticism."

Mamma Mia! Monday

This morning was one of the worst morning commutes I've had. Two of my top fears simultaneously occurred in the span of 2 hours: being terribly late and being lost in direction.

The night before, I forget to charge my phone, leaving the device at a mere 5% battery by the time I left home. About halfway to my destination, I double check my Google Maps only to find a dead black screen. Oh no. Here we go again.

Of course, I forget which exit I need to get off, and I get off at the next immediate exit. I turn into the closest gas station (I despise you rude 76 cashier lady), and try to ask anyone who'll help me with directions. No luck. (Well, I did find a man who only spoke Spanish and didn't know how to work his Maps app.) Tears start rolling. I have 10 minutes till my clock-in deadline of 8:30am. I crouch and just breathe in the cold air. Why do I live so far?

Not time for wailing just yet. I get back up and start driving. The next stop turns out to be ARCO. I approach the only person who is there, which is the cashier guy. He speaks limited english and doesn't have a phone, but he can sell me an iPhone charger. Better than nothing, right? I take it without hesitation.

Feeling more hopeful, I rip open the charger package (well, had to run back for help because it was so stubborn!) and my phone turns back on. Hoorah? Sigh...I wish this was the closure to a happy ending.

It charges just 5% before it dies again. Damn crappy gas station chargers! I should've known. I pull over and turn on my emergency lights. I do nothing for 5 minutes (wait for charger to resurrect) then head over to another gas station (do I ever learn?).

I ask around for directions, but no one knows where the hell this is. I'm thinking "where are all the local residents?!" Anyway, I get back into my car and see a young man walking his dog. He has to be a local, so I pull over and ask if he can help me find directions. HE KNOWS WHERE WE ARE. I follow his lead, get on the fwy, pray that I can recognize my exit this time, and get to work 45 minutes past on-time.

Thank God for grace at my office.

And that's my Day 6 story at the new company. To better days ahead!

x Sola