Life of Lizdom: Philosophy

I've shared the day to day schedule and the list of activities that I'm involved in. I didn't want to leave the question completely unanswered... How do I do it all? I've got 3 parts left to the series. Today, the philosophies that drive me. Later, the practicalities that make it all work. And, finally, the Big Secret. *** 1. Perspective. I am not perfect. Hard to believe, I know. But I fully accept that I cannot do everything, I will make mistakes, I will run out of time, I will have to compromise. No one is perfect and my imperfections make me who I am. I do not try to be perfect, I do not try to believe I am perfect, I do not even believe that perfection is attainable! I do the best I can with what I have. I make the best choices I can with what I know. You did the best you could. When you knew better, you did better. ~Maya Angelou 2. Focus. I am a total multi tasker. I am often jumping from one task to the next. But whatever I am doing, I focus on it. If I'm writing an e-mail, I focus on that e-mail. I don't write that e-mail while thinking about the conference call coming up or the list of things I need to get done for Teagan's birthday party or the upcoming launch of the children's choir or.... I'd never actually complete anything if I let my mind run things. My focus may be brief, but I stay in tune with what is in front of me right now. Every life lies within the present. The past is spent and done. The future is uncertain. ~Marcus Aurelius 3. Faith. When I'm overwhelmed, when doubt creeps in, when I'm uncertain... I pray. When I accomplish something, when I succeed, when I manage to make things happen... I pray. I give thanks, I ask for help, I seek guidance. My faith lifts me up, guides me, comforts me, strengthens me. When I'm stressed, I can sing praise songs and find calm. My faith is my foundation. Frequently remind yourself that God is with you, that He will never fail you, that you can count upon him. Say these words, "God is with me, helping me." ~ Norman Vincent Peale 4. Humor. Mistakes are funny. Stress is funny. Really and truly... I can find humor in most situations. And when the situation isn't funny, my sense of humor still gets me through. There is nothing as stress relieving as a good laugh. What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. ~ Yiddish Proverb

5. Love. Last but not least, love drives me. It ties in with my faith. I believe that God is love. I believe that my purpose is to love the way that God loves me. I believe that when I act from a base of love, life is just better. I love myself, my family, my friends, my life. 1 Corinthians 13 1 If I speak in the languages of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.