Hindsight 20/20

Let me preface this blog with some background... I am a social worker. I am presently working with families who's children have been taken out of their home usually for child protection reasons. By the time I come into the picture, the family is getting ready for reunification, which means the kids are coming home. I help the parents in getting ready to make sure that they feel that they can be successful. So as I meet with these different families I hear all sorts of interesting stories...as you can imagine.
So yesterday (also let me say that last year I was in two car wrecks which really played a number on my neck so I am currently going to the Chiropractor to get it fixed) I was laying on my rolled up towel as prescribed by my chiropractor to help with my neck issues and also my headaches. When I do this nice little exercise the issue is such that I have to lay STILL for like 20 min. For most adults you wouldn't think of that as being a real big issue... however for me it is. I get bored and start thinking of all the things that I should or could be doing but that I am not. Anyways occasionally I think ok, I have to do this so I might make the most out of it which I did yesterday. I was thinking about a client of mine who decided to mix prescription drugs with alcohol because she was struggling with where her life was heading. We were discussing this along with all the other issues her choice brought on and how life now is a lot more difficult than it was before but she has learned a lot and she is getting a lot of assistance from different resources. She however stated that had she known what was going to come of this choice she would have chosen not to do it. I stated to think about choices in my personal life and realizing that had I made certain choices or chosen different choices, life would be a lot more difficult or easier (respectively) now than it is. On the flip side, had I not made the choices I have made in life or been faced with the challenges that I have had to overcome I wouldn't be the person that I have become.
So I guess what I am saying in short is that when it comes down to doing something not so smart when all is said and done, it isn't worth it. Dealing with the repercussions of the choice often make the experience not not quite as enjoyable as you once thought that it would be. But of course we don't often learn as much as we could from others experiences and sometimes have to go through some of the same experiences to learn the lesson for ourselves. If you find yourself learning a lesson that you wish you weren't having to learn, remember that it it will make you a better person and more than likely you'll better understand when someone else is learning a similar lesson.

Closer to Christ

The last couple of months I have noticed that a lot of things have focused on coming closer to Christ. From my Relief Society book club reading 21 days closer to Christ, to the ward goal this year being 12 months closer to Christ and each month focusing on one aspect that will do such, to the Ensign that has come out this month, and even the new website that has been established to draw people everywhere closer to Christ. (www.JesusChirst.lds.org). It seems to be surrounding me. I know that it is something that I have shrived to achieve... if it is something that I can achieve, maybe I should state it is something that striving towards.
In 21 days closer to Chirst, one of the days focuses on the story of Mary and Martha. I have taken some time to really study this story. A couple of things that stood out to me included 1. The fact that Martha was doing something good.. but it wasn't necessarily the best. How often in my life to I fill my life with things that are good, but not the best (like the talk from conference...good, better, best) 2. Which ties into the first, the scriptures say in Luke 10:42 "but one thing is needful, and Mary has choose that good part, which won't be taken from her." Only one thing is really needful for us.. which is just that... Drawing near to Christ. I don't know if it is because it is something I should work on, or something my ward is working on, or if it something that the whole church is working on. Regardless it is a thought that has been on my mind lately. And maybe my invitation to whomever to Come Closer to Christ.

Professional Slacker

While browsing through a friends blog, which I seem to be doing a lot of lately, she mentioned working at Pronto Pups being a professional slacker. I too worked at Pronto Pups and enjoyed the times of working 10-15 hours a week and having enough money to buy a new shirt every three weeks or so. Now however I don't quite have that luxury. I work a full time job plus a 2 hour a week job on the side. Now I know that some would contend that they would like my job working from home and making my own schedule... but honestly sometimes I dislike it. It sounds all nice and exciting but I miss going to work 8-5 and then coming home and forgetting about work for a few hours. Working from home I feel that every time I am home I should be doing something work related, hardly ever do and then feel guilty for not getting something done. It is an endless cycle. Then I'll get an 8-5 job and miss being able to make my own schedule. I wish I could just be a professional slacker and not have to do anything!!! and why is it that the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side?