Oh, the “catch-up” game…

Goodness me, time flies by…errands to run, things to do, does anyone else ever feel like the world is running them?

Breathe in.  Breathe out.  Relax.  Don’t forget who’s got ya in the palm of His Hand, little girl…it is still not all on your shoulders.

So, in a typical type-A driven style form, or for you Ayurveda types out there, in a typical Vata-Pitta style form, while I couldn’t get TO my blog to write in it, I did keep a tiny list of things I might write.  I prefer not to think of it as obsessive or anal but rather committed and detail-oriented.  (Again with the being kinder-to-myself theme, and learning to accept the way God has made me and use my gifts and quirks to their best advantage…as long as they do not draw me away from HIM.)  I have allowed myself to be called names for some of those quirks, and that is allowed no longer.  I encourage all of you to also decide your boundaries as filtered by God’s Word, and ignore those arrows  (fiery darts) slung by the enemy.  It is just a bunch of hot air anyway…and don’t forget who gets felled in the end by one little breath from Jesus?

So, on that powerful note-

After watching the Grammy Awards a week or so ago (again, my how time flies), I certainly had in my head some things I wanted to express about things I don’t like or cannot appreciate, as well as things that I do…

Luckily, I could not get to the blog, because a few days later I had the revelation that I truly do only want to speak encouraging words as much as possible, and celebrate others’ STRENGTHS!  Perhaps that is not always realistic, but I can certainly try.  Philippians 4:8, right?  Let’s focus on the trustworthy, noble and beautiful!

So, I would like to say thank you to fiery, driven and powerful female artists such as Beyonce’ and Pink for reminding me that women can be driven and strong without becoming men.  I do not have to be a milk-toast to be a gentle woman in God’s eyes, or anyone else’s…some women are made with a more meek-than-mine personality, but still quite strong on the inside.  Some women are made with a more strong outside, but quite gentle as well.  So, in my quest to fulfill the plan God designed for me, it may be that I am quite driven and inspired to the point of impassioned, but I can still be kind and gentle….and I can be kind and gentle while maintaining that fire.  It may be that my fire is indeed needed to stoke or kindle another’s fire…so my putting it out in an effort to become a more meek personality such as what I interpreted before to mean “Godly”?  Well, that certainly doesn’t accomplish God’s will for my life or those around me.

So, again, I thank you both, beautiful ladies.  What I know of Pink and what she has come through…it seems she has grown and matured, and THAT is what endears me back to her (loved her music when she first came out, then wasn’t sure that her choices melded with my preferences, etc, but HEY!  The girl has and is overcoming some things, and I fully respect that.  Plus, she ROCKS.).

Beyonce has always been a graceful and humble lady with an amazing talent.  To see her be her “Sasha Fierce” self and know that she does recognize the duality in being a performer, aka the “at home me” and “the performer me”, I respect that immensely as well.  As a professional performer myself, I know I at times have had a hard time knowing which one was real, which one was not.  Well, they both are.  They are just different parts of me.  And all are welcome.

Do people at that high level of entertainment sometimes make choices that I might not approve of?  Of course.  And you know what, I am sure I have made some choices at which they would gasp.  We are all human, after all.  All saved by the same Savior, should we choose Him.  So, I cannot criticize.  I can only judge what I might do, or even, judge what I do today, period.  And allow myself to receive Grace when I fall short.

Next topic: Stories.  I have been reading a book (a collection of novellas) by Francine Rivers called “A Lineage of Grace”.  It occurred to me one day in the shower how much I appreciate the stories of the Bible when they are in story form.  My thought at the time was about to judge myself, thinking, well, how lazy! Can’t you handle the Bible as the Bible?  And my answer to the enemy, was, yes, and thank you for this opportunity to remind you of how many times I have pored over those words, comparing translations, and loving how my Spirit gets stirred up by them! (another fiery dart quenched)…but sometimes, you want to escape in a story, and when it is a story which speaks the Truth of the Bible, not only do you get a good bedtime story, but you get Truth, Wisdom, joy, refreshment, encouragement, hope, renewal…so many wonderful things…and then you Praise God for being so infinitely awesome.  (Awesome forever.  Never-ending Awesome-ness.)

And by way, let’s not forget, Jesus told stories to teach us.  He knows how much we like a good story…and how much better we might retain…

So take that, enemy.  And that. and that….and THAT!

Hummph. =-)

Finally, I have to admit, I wish the world would not get so techno…I like just writing my little bits and thoughts in a journal, but I understand that in some ways blogging, etc opens up doors for things and people in a new way…ok, I get it.

I like Facebook and how it can connect you easily with friends/family whom you might not otherwise ever get to see.

I like the convenience of shopping online, even.

I do NOT like how crazy I feel energetically when I spend too much time in front of a computer monitor, cell phone screen, or TV.  And that could be handled much better if it seemed that the world were not dictating that in order to function within it, I have to cow-tow…

I am the one who gets to set my boundaries of safety.  I am not a religious zealot in this, I am just saying, if I know what’s good for me, then I know what’s good for me.

So, I find it kind of annoying that so many of these health experts that I choose to pay attention to have all of these e-books and downloadable phone calls, etc.  (I am a Christ-centered yoga teacher and a raw food enthusiast, though I do still eat some cooked food for various reasons.  I am also at any given time50 to 90 percent Vegan…again, various reasons).

Actually, the downloadable stuff is pretty cool, when it works and when one has time–  though I do love having an actual book in my  hand.  The thing that I really have to separate myself from are the wondeful tele-seminars or webinars that happen via your computer at set times WHICH ARE ALMOST ALWAYS AT NIGHT DURING FAMILY TIME.  Let’s see, do I want to see the incredible whatever-it-is on the computer and learn about this new discovery at 7pm on a Sunday night, or do I want to spend time with my husband?

Annoying.  I know I said I would stay positive.  I am. I am positive that I would rather spend time with my husband, and that I will just pray that if God needs me to know or have that information, He will put it in front of my face and in my ears at  a time and place which does not interfere with my rest and family time.

I just don’t get it.  And some of these things are only available a limited time…OR you have to pay a ton of money to get your own copy.

Well, never mind.  I’ll learn about it when God gives me a way that works through the filters of my belief.

To end on an up note:

I began new Christ-centered Yoga classes last week, and my students are wonderful!  I hope and pray they feel as blessed as I do when they leave…I cannot describe accurately the joy and “all-is-right”-ness that I experience when I have taught or enjoyed a Christ-centered yoga class.  How cool is it that we get to take care of our Temples, de-stress and praise our Lord all at the same time!  And then to top it off, we end up with a bajillion different kinds of physical benefits…wow.  (And if you want to know ’em, feel free to message me…)

It is a total win-win situation.  Much like being saved by Grace.

May all who read this have peace and love in their lives today,

Robyn

Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

^8-9Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.