Thursday, January 8, 2009

The Best Question Ever...

Sooooo....I think I'm pretty much the worst blogger in the history of man-kind at this point.  I wish I was one of those people who posted everyday or at least every other day.  But, I'm just not at this point in my life.  I know that when I have kids and more going on I will post more frequently but for now it's just random, here and there posts.  I don't know why I am even explaining myself but that's just what I do, I guess.  :-)

I have never been a person with a lot to say or a lot on my mind.  I am super chilled and laid back.  I get that from my daddy.  I do worry sometimes about things and think too hard about them and make them bigger than they need to be.  I can worry over something until I'm sick but that doesn't happen a lot.  I went to a chiropractor a few months ago and he said I had an issue in the middle of my back that he had to pop back into place.  He asked me if I was stressed out because not many people have that subluxation and man did it hurt when he popped it into place.  So, I might worry more than I think I do.  Who knows????

I started listening to a podcast that a friend of mine referred me to last night about making decisions.  It's called "The Best Question Ever." by Andy Stanley.  It's in 6 parts and I have only made it through Part 1 but it is awesome!  It's also a book.  I'm sure you can get it at Lifeway but I found it on Amazon last night.  The question is...when asking yourself, should I get into this relationship, should I make this financial investment, should I buy this car, should I home school my kids, and on and on..."What is the wise thing for me to do in light of my past experiences, my present situation, and my future hopes and dreams?"   He takes a scripture that Paul wrote in Ephesians to the church at Ephesus and explains how he came up with the question.  They were basically trying to live in a place of extreme moral decay but still remain faithful and obedient to the Lord and his will for their lives.  Andy talks about how we try to search out scripture to tell us what to do but there is not always a specific scripture to refer to sometimes.  How should we make decisions in life when we don't have a solid answer from a specific verse in scripture that pertains to the situation we are facing?  I am super excited about listening to the rest of the podcast and digging deeper into this simple question to live my life by.  The hardest thing about it is that we are, in most cases, not going to like the answer as much as we like just being ignorant.  I know that we are all able to think of at least one decision we have made in the past that we look back on with regret or see how it has negatively impacted our life.  

So, now that the new year has started and we are only 8 days in, it still feels like a fresh start and we have all made our resolutions and are attempting to keep them.  Some have already fallen off the wagon.  No worries!  Don't put so much pressure on yourself.  I do this and it has not been working for me!  I am trying to approach things that need changing in my life differently than I did last year.  

For instance, I want to lose weight.  BAD!!!!  I am starting with small goals and letting them lead to my ultimate goal as opposed to thinking about the big picture and stressing over how I will pull it off.  I joined Weight Watchers last night.  I am realizing how prideful I am right now because I want to delete that last sentence.  I am fighting the urge!!!  :-)  I ordered the 2009 starter kit on ebay and two workout videos from Tracy Anderson.  She is the personal trainer of Gweneth Paltrow and Madonna.  I do not want to look like Madonna but I think she's just a freak of nature with those arms.  Wow!  Anyway, I am doing things that will get me to the place that I want to be physically so I can get to where I want to be mentally about myself.  I don't want to hold myself back any longer and the only person I can blame for letting this get out of hand is me.  Sure, I have a thyroid problem and have to take meds everyday (which I HATE by the way) but that is not going to stop me.  Plus, at some point in my life, I am going to be responsible for feeding my family and I don't want to learn with them.  I want to already have this thing tucked away in my back pocket and it be second nature to me.  

So, good luck with all of your resolutions and we will stick this thing out together.  I know it's going to be hard but determination is creeping up on me and I'm excited to see what I'm actually capable of.  I know you are too!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!  Let's make it a great one!  

Oh...I'm also reading the Bible in chronological order if anyone wants to join me.  I can email you the reading schedule.  My email account is ashleyguilbert@gmail.com.