How do I change the WORLD?!

I can't believe it's been since the end of May that I've blogged with the Five Minute Friday peeps! We get a one word prompt and cram for five minutes on that word with minimal edits - the point is to write. No pressure. No worries. Just let the words fall out that go with the prompt.

This week's prompt is WORLD.

Start

How do you change the WORLD?!

One moment at a time. One smile. One breath. One prayer. One song. One laugh. One yes. One thought.at.a.time.

When I think about it, I know the influence I have as a human in this WORLD is incremental. If I lose sight of those small increments, I will never influence the life, blessing, kindness, love, respect and joy I want to infuse into this hard place we dwell.

Sweeping tragedies, hardened hearts, acid tongues, self-hating thoughts push and shove to take authority of the WORLD around me.

But, I can choose.

One moment at a time. One smile. One breath. One prayer. One song. One laugh. One yes. One thought.at.a.time.

And change the WORLD.

Stop.

This song - Blesses me like crazy! I hope it blesses you too!

School, work, packing, moving, getting kids out of school, finishing PTO responsibilities, the list goes on... but, today, I'm back!

I have to write on Thursday night, because I never know what the next day will bring!

Thanks for reading!

CULTURE of Pain ____________.

Linking up with my Friend Kate on Five Minute Friday this week. Our word prompt is CULTURE. Now, five minutes of minimal edits and maximum thoughts on CULTURE.

Do I want to cultivate a CULTURE of Pain Avoidance? or a CULTURE of Pain Endurance?

If I spend my life avoiding pain,
trying to minimize pain,
rationalize self-comfort from pain,
or any other escape from walking forward through life's pain,

Then how much can I really grow?
Or set an example for ones who are watching me, learning from my responses to pain?

When I endure the pain, embracing the challenge of walking through it - I get strong, wise, tenacious, committed and focused on growing, healing and changing as I persevere.

What if that became the CULTURE I cultivated at home, with my family, friends and co-workers?

Rise up, face pain head on, moving forward, reaching for the other side -

The resolution of perseverance - becoming peace and freedom.

My experience has taught me, when I acknowledge and embrace pain I have more energy to learn and grow than I do if I spend all my energy running, coping, denying, or actively covering my pain.

Now, it's your turn to decide:

Do you want to cultivate a

CULTURE of Pain Avoidance?

or a

CULTURE of Pain Endurance?

My personal recipe for cultivating a CULTURE of Pain Endurance.

PRACTICE the Basics - Five Minute Friday

I'm writing with the Five Minute Friday bunch today.

The prompt is PRACTICE.

I am having a hard time getting back into shape. I spent the past 11 months recovering from a migraine that almost killed me. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, I have changed forever because of it. I am not sure the changes are good or bad. They just are. More on that another time.

PRACTICE the basics - Walking. Walking is good. It's boring. Unless I watch for beauty. But, it doesn't freak me out. Hopefully swimming will be a blessing soon too. In this place of PRACTICE I have had to give myself permission to slow down.

I learned in a Mental Health First Aid class something that brought an enormous revelation for me. If panic attacks have been a part of your life (they have) then the feeling of getting your heart rate up to get a good workout going can feel as awful as a panic attack.

I have to PRACTICE walking, building endurance and reminding myself over and over again that I am doing this by choice, I am okay, and everything is okay.

I am not a fan of this. I kind of resent it. I used to pound out a crazy hard workout and love it. Now, I have to work my way S-L-O-W-L-Y back into shape.