Dear Diary,
It's 1/31/2011. I started my part time job which I finally found after about 2 months of searching and struggling in faith. Although I was not supposed to get any paid today, as the 1st day was only a training, but I got $2!!! (from the tips... yay!! ^^) I am happy with this job, and what I earned today. It is a new start for me for my career. Hallelujah!! :))
Seven Steps toward Breaking Destructive Patterns
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
If you've been dealing with destructive patterns that have been damaging your life for some time, you can start to lose hope that change is even possible for you. Whether you're struggling with an addiction that's harming your health, anxiety that's interfering with your relationships, or some other kind of ongoing problem, after a while it's easy just to settle for life the way it is. But no matter how deeply you've been drawn into destructive patterns, God is ready to help you out so you can move toward a better life. God can give you the power you need to reinvent yourself and start living the life He wants for you.
Here's how you can break destructive patterns in your life and change for the better:
Discover why you want to change. You'll be motivated to change only when you clearly understand the reason why you want to change your life - and your reason is more important to you than any excuses you have for not changing. The most common reasons why people decide to change their lives are: because they're afraid of losing something, because they want to reach a goal, because they've become disgusted by their own behavior, and because they want to grow to become healthier. What's your reason? Ask God to reveal it to you.
Change your perceptions. Admit that the way you've been interpreting your life has been sabotaging your ability to break free of the destructive patterns that are holding you back. Recognize your need for God's help, give Him full access to your heart and mind, and ask Him to begin the process of changing you. Commit yourself to doing whatever God asks you to do during the change process.
Stop the cycle of generational dysfunction. If you don't attend to the dysfunctional patterns that you've inherited from your family, you'll likely repeat them yourself. So break the cycle before it can continue any longer. Start by giving leadership of every part of your life to God. Yield your own will to God's will for you, trusting God to lead you to what's best when you face daily decisions. Deal wisely with temptations to sin. Define in your mind which moral lines you will never cross before you actually encounter them, so you can build up resistance to those particular temptations. Read and memorize Bible verses that you can remember to give you strength whenever you're faced with temptations. Pray for the strength you need to resist any temptation that comes your way. Whenever you interact with loved ones like family members and close friends, pay close attention to your words, feelings, and behavior. Keep in mind that what you say, feel, and do has a significant impact on your loved ones - so ask God to help you interact with them in ways that honor Him and bless them.
Form godly habits. Changing the way you think will change the way you live, so ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind daily. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negative, unhealthy thoughts, replace them with thoughts that reflect biblical truth. Spend plenty of time reading the Bible so you'll be able to absorb its truth into your soul and draw upon it in situations where you need to change unhealthy thoughts to healthy ones. Participate in a church to join others regularly to worship, build friendships, and serve others together. Spend time with God often in prayer so you can take on more of His character and develop more of His love for others.
Pursue forgiveness. Don't let bitterness and anger accumulate in your soul; that will poison you spiritually and make you vulnerable to attacks from evil. Instead, decide to obey God's command to forgive other people who have hurt or offended you as God has forgiven you of your own sins. When you decide to forgive, despite your feelings, God will help you through the process, and over time, you'll discover that your feelings toward those who have wronged you will change. Be sure to obey God's call to ask other people to forgive you for the sins you've committed against them, as well, and to honestly confess and repent of those sins before God. Let God carry your burdens and give you power to move on to a healthier life.
Surround yourself with faithful friends. Develop a group of close friends who want what's best for you, and commit to encouraging, supporting, and holding each other accountable as you all grow closer to God. Talk with your friends often, being open and honest about what's going on in your life. Give them permission to ask you regularly about your progress breaking free of destructive patterns and choosing a healthier life. Pray for each other often.
Stay focused. Remain focused on doing what God leads you to do each day to move beyond your past destructive life and build a new, healthier one. Aim to fulfill God's purposes for you every day. Don't become discouraged when your progress seems slow. Continue to follow where God leads you, trusting that when you look back over a span of time, you'll be able to recognize and appreciate His steady and deep transforming work in your life.
One Month to Live - Day 3
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
1. Keep a journal this week, and jot down how you spend each day. Try to rate your productivity (what you accomplish) along with your contentment (how you experienced each day). How would you rate the cost-effectiveness of how you invested your time?
(Journal - in the purple book.)
I have not yet accomplished much lately, especially now that I don't work. I often times wake up without knowing what to do for the day. But now, I have a goal I have to fulfill this month... the SAS examination! So, may God help me to be effective to use my time and to live to the fullest.
Also, I should call my parents more frequently. I haven't been talking much to them since last year. But there are things that I try to keep myself focus on right now. Please forgive me, Mom and Dad. I always pray for you both everyday.
2. What was the biggest time waster in your past week? What was the payoff for you? Did it distract you, entertain you, allow you to avoid someone? Is there a way to use the time differently and have a greater, more significant impact? Maybe you need to watch less television, and to read more, or perhaps instead of surfing the Internet, you could go for a walk or get some other exercise. Come up with a short list of alternate activities you can pursue the next time you're tempted to waste time by default.
Biggest time waster : FACEBOOK! Thinking too much about other stuff (people, love, etc.)
The payoff: distraction to do what I aim for the day.
Way to use time differently: go to my brother's house to focus more in studying.
Alternative activities: meditate, memorize Bible verse, and pray. Taking a walk outside. Watch a short movie.
3. How would you describe your current season of life? Does it feel like you're buried beneath frozen tundra, emotionally hibernating? Or is it more like spring, with signs of new life in view? What does it mean for you to accept and honor your current season?
Current season of life: emotionally hibernating. Tend to criticize people a lot, and be so negative about myself... :(
To accept and honor my current season: Try to smile all the time. SMILE is the simplest blessing you can give to yourself and others. And it helps you to see the brighter side of the world.
(Journal - in the purple book.)
I have not yet accomplished much lately, especially now that I don't work. I often times wake up without knowing what to do for the day. But now, I have a goal I have to fulfill this month... the SAS examination! So, may God help me to be effective to use my time and to live to the fullest.
Also, I should call my parents more frequently. I haven't been talking much to them since last year. But there are things that I try to keep myself focus on right now. Please forgive me, Mom and Dad. I always pray for you both everyday.
2. What was the biggest time waster in your past week? What was the payoff for you? Did it distract you, entertain you, allow you to avoid someone? Is there a way to use the time differently and have a greater, more significant impact? Maybe you need to watch less television, and to read more, or perhaps instead of surfing the Internet, you could go for a walk or get some other exercise. Come up with a short list of alternate activities you can pursue the next time you're tempted to waste time by default.
Biggest time waster : FACEBOOK! Thinking too much about other stuff (people, love, etc.)
The payoff: distraction to do what I aim for the day.
Way to use time differently: go to my brother's house to focus more in studying.
Alternative activities: meditate, memorize Bible verse, and pray. Taking a walk outside. Watch a short movie.
3. How would you describe your current season of life? Does it feel like you're buried beneath frozen tundra, emotionally hibernating? Or is it more like spring, with signs of new life in view? What does it mean for you to accept and honor your current season?
Current season of life: emotionally hibernating. Tend to criticize people a lot, and be so negative about myself... :(
To accept and honor my current season: Try to smile all the time. SMILE is the simplest blessing you can give to yourself and others. And it helps you to see the brighter side of the world.
One Month to Live - Day 2
1. If you were certain your life as you know it would end in a few weeks, what would be your biggest regret? Why?
My biggest regret would be not giving my very best effort and love to my family and friends, as I always tend to only look for my own enjoyment and pleasure, without wanting to be really involved with their problems. I have never really cared about anyone but always want everyone to care about me. Yes, selfish! And it is indeed very sad.
2. In what area of your life are you suffering from the Someday Syndrome? Make a decision today never again to use the phrase "someday, when things settle down." Realize that today is your someday!
Someday after I get a job, I want to start sending money to my parents, so that I don't have to work anymore. But, I will start saving a little for them now even though I still have no income yet. $500 a month until I got a job.
3. Instead of a roller coaster, what symbol or metaphor would you choose to describe what your life would look like if you were fully engaged? Try to come up with something as unique as you are. Find a picture of that symbol, place it in a spot where you will see it everyday, and use it as a reminder to live with no regrets.
I am not sure how to describe my life. Definitely not a roller coaster though, since I am not a risk taker, and I always try to think carefully from every aspects before making my decision. If there is a little negative side that I don't think I would be able to take, although if it comes positive later on, I always hang on to it for a long time to be sure that I am fully ready to take all the risks it would take. So, I really have to think about this question, and come back with an answer someday.
My biggest regret would be not giving my very best effort and love to my family and friends, as I always tend to only look for my own enjoyment and pleasure, without wanting to be really involved with their problems. I have never really cared about anyone but always want everyone to care about me. Yes, selfish! And it is indeed very sad.
2. In what area of your life are you suffering from the Someday Syndrome? Make a decision today never again to use the phrase "someday, when things settle down." Realize that today is your someday!
Someday after I get a job, I want to start sending money to my parents, so that I don't have to work anymore. But, I will start saving a little for them now even though I still have no income yet. $500 a month until I got a job.
3. Instead of a roller coaster, what symbol or metaphor would you choose to describe what your life would look like if you were fully engaged? Try to come up with something as unique as you are. Find a picture of that symbol, place it in a spot where you will see it everyday, and use it as a reminder to live with no regrets.
I am not sure how to describe my life. Definitely not a roller coaster though, since I am not a risk taker, and I always try to think carefully from every aspects before making my decision. If there is a little negative side that I don't think I would be able to take, although if it comes positive later on, I always hang on to it for a long time to be sure that I am fully ready to take all the risks it would take. So, I really have to think about this question, and come back with an answer someday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
