I Give You Permission

I unintentionally lost weight over Christmas/New Year after really struggling with my body image last year. Most people put it on at this time but I walked a lot more than I ate, which was unusual and great. It feels good to be a few kilos lighter, and as I was planning how to keep the weight off, these words came to me:

“I give you permission to not be overweight.”

I had developed a bad self-image and put myself in a box that limited me to feeling big and being big. But I wasn’t destined to struggle with my weight and over-eat for the rest of my life. I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do, like be overweight. I just need to give myself permission to go another way; to choose another path.

In that moment, I gave myself permission to have a fit and healthy body that I was proud of and it was empowering. I felt free to be me. And that was it; I haven’t thought much of it since. If you have put yourself into any sort of negative box, break out of it by giving yourself permission to be different and to change the course of your future.

What do you need to give yourself permission for?

Whatever you are dealing with…

I give you permission to succeed.

I give you permission to fail.

I give you permission to work hard.

I give you permission to be intelligent and knowledgable.

I give you permission to rest.

I give you permission to not be lazy.

I give you permission to lose weight.

I give you permission to gain weight.

I give you permission to eat without feeling guilty.

I give you permission to like yourself.

I give you permission to forgive yourself.

I give your permission to be strong.

I give you permission to learn.

I give you permission to be a non-addict.

I give you permission to be free.

I give your permission to travel.

I give you permission to be generous.

I give you permission to be selfish.

I give you permission to take a risk.

I give you permission to love, or love again.

I give you permission to pursue your dreams.

I give you permission to laugh.

I give you permission to cry.

I give you permission to overcome the obstacle before you.

I give you permission to let go of whatever you are holding on to.

I give your permission to be healthy, in body, mind and soul.

I give you permission to ask questions.

I give you permission to be whole.

I give you permission to speak.

I give you permission to be you.

Give yourself permission.

—

Did I miss anything? What do you need to give yourself permission for? 

Why I Don’t Read Newspapers

In London there are two papers that circulate daily on public transport – the Metro for the morning commute and the Evening Standard for the return journey home. They are both free and read by millions of people. I haven’t opened either of them for at least a year and I am never tempted to, no matter how enticing the headline or pretty the cover photo (Kate Middleton – girl crush).

There are two reasons that I don’t read these papers and have no desire to. The first being that they can be incredibly exaggerated. I saw this when they recounted the details of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake that devastated New Zealand. As I was keeping up to date with the facts through the NZ Herald website, I could see clearly that the London papers were loosely throwing words and numbers around to make catchy headlines. This made me irate.

The other thing I find hard to stomach is how totally depressing they are. One day I read that in one week alone, four people had jumped under trains to end their lives. It was in a tiny box at the back of the paper and I imagine not many people would have taken much notice, as it’s a common occurrence in London. For the rest of the day my heart was heavy for these people that desperately wanted to die and had succeeded. For their families.

I am incredibly impressionable and a seeker of the truth. This is precisely why tabloid newspapers, trashy magazines and gossip sites do not bode well with me; because I cannot take the words as truth. It’s merely hearsay. For factual accounts and reporting on current events, I watch the TV news or read the BBC news website. I prefer to spend my commute reading a novel or listening to music. Occasionally there is a positive news story that brightens our days, but it’s more often a negative dictation of the world we live in. I simply do not want to start my day with bad news, not ever.

When I gave my life to God, I stepped into the light and committed to a life of truth. To telling the truth and living the truth. I haven’t done either of those perfectly since and I will stuff it up again in the future. Why? Because I’m a human and sometimes, I want to hide from the truth. The truth is hard but it is also how we find freedom and growth.

The media of this world don’t believe that.They believe in getting unflattering pictures of celebrities, making money and glorifying gossip. And if current events tells us anything, it’s that the future is hopeless. I believe something different; that there is hope in this broken and dying world and that it doesn’t end here. If we look only at politics, poverty, the economy, human condition and the earth’s lack of sustainability, we’re all doomed. That’s what the news tells us. I am realistic yet hopeful for what is unseen.

I hear so many people say “sometimes I just want to switch off and read trash! I don’t want to think too hard”. Everyone is different and I am particularly sensitive, I’m aware of that so I do what works for me. However, I think that there is no harm in guarding our minds. Consider today; what are you reading, who are you watching, what are you thinking about during the day? We are influenced and can be easily swayed.

I’m hopelessly hopeful and a lover of the truth, and that’s why I don’t read the newspapers.

Do you read newspapers? What do you think of the media that we read? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

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What’s Your Legacy?

I want to leave behind an authentic residue on the earth that will last longer than my life ever could. A residue of actions, words and accomplishments that inspire others.

When I was 15, in a sermon I was posed with a question that has never left me; what will people say at your funeral? What a powerful way to live our lives – to be present, yet know we are leaving a mark on the world that no one else can.

Jesus didn’t write the Bible; his disciples and people that witnessed his life and ministry did. What will people say about your life after your gone?

I want people to say I knew how to laugh at myself

I want people to say that I was a ‘go-getter’ that didn’t let opportunities pass me by

I want people to say that I was kind and loving

I want people to say that I always had an open hand

I want people to say that I was a blessing

I want people to say that I knew how to listen

I want people to say that I was a joy to be around

I want people to say I made them feel good about themselves

I want people to say that I was genuine

I want people to say that I was fun

I want people to say I lived with purpose and intent

I want people to say I pointed them to Jesus

I want people to say I pleased God’s heart

I want people to say that it was obvious I didn’t care what they thought about me

I want people to say I was organised

I want people to say I was smart

I want people to say I was successful

I want people to say that I knew who I was in Christ

I want people to say I was outrageous

I want people to say I was determined

I want people to say I was consistent

I want people to say I was an overcomer

I want people to say I had integrity

I want people to say I had a hunger for God

I want people to say I made them I loved them as they were but knew they could be better

I want people to say I was a loving daughter, sister, aunty, friend, mother and wife

More than any of the above, I want Jesus to say that I made Him proud.

Some of these things I have been since I was born, some of them I am on my way to, some of them are so far off they’re a distant goal. But it starts with a decision.

Decide now and then go out and live it because life is short and your legacy is long.

How do you want to be remembered? 

Confession: I can’t fix myself & I don’t know everything

I like to think I’m pretty emotionally stable. I process my emotions, I don’t run away (I try not to anyway) and I cry a lot.  I’ve even been known to call myself a ‘self-analysing pro’ because I can come up with a reason for every single one of my behaviours. I’ve got my sh*t sorted right?

Wrong. Turns out I am somewhat of an ’emotional perfectionist’ (self-diagnosed, of course. See previous paragraph!). No but seriously, I like to be so in control of my feelings and know exactly why I do everything that I don’t let things happen organically.

This is my greatest blessing and my greatest curse, because while I’m very emotionally ‘in-touch’ (are you loving all this psycho-babble?) I also over-think to the point of insanity and exhaustion.

When I talk to my friends I like to sound like I’ve got it all together. Then in the dark of the night I break down, because emotions and grief work on their own schedule that you can’t really control. Turns out being human has some painful disruptions, and I don’t have my sh*t sorted at all. 

So I told my over-active mind to go on holiday and called in a professional.

Yes, I’ve started seeing a counsellor; someone who has qualifications and actually knows what he is talking about; someone who can help me fix me so I don’t have to do it all by myself.

I went to my first session with a heavy heart; I was sad, lonely and running on empty. On the journey there I prayed ‘Please Lord let this be good for me, let me gain something from this because I’m spent and don’t have any strength left’. God heard me. I sat there and released months worth of tear-stained words to someone who is paid to listen to me. I didn’t feel guilty for ‘dumping’ on him, I just went for it (pray for him, poor guy!). He helped me reach some important conclusions in that very first session and I  left feeling so light I thought I might just fly.

The second session was a little harder, grittier and a hell of a lot more painful. That’s when the good stuff happens though and hey, I’m still alive. During these sessions my pain is justified, understood and accepted, but our (my counsellor’s and mine) ambition is my healing and I’m not allowed to sit in my pain and pity for longer than necessary. I must keep moving forward.

I’d rather be dealing with this at 22 than at 42, 52, 62 when I’ve caused other people pain from my own wounded heart. Have you heard? Hurt people hurt people. All of my hurt has come from hurt people, and out of that hurt I’ve hurt more people. It’s a vicious cycle, BUT I have the power to break it and it’s my choice whether I do or not. No I won’t ever be perfect but the goal isn’t perfection, it’s wholeness in Christ so that I’m not operating everyday life out of brokenness.

You might be thinking ‘gosh she is so honest, telling the blogosphere she is screwed up enough to go to counselling’. If it helps you, then heck yes I am honest enough. Frankly we are all screwed up at least a tiny bit, even if we like to act like we’re not. It’s what makes us beautifully human. 

Here’s a tip sponsored by moi: if you have faced trials in the past that you still haven’t overcome, or if you’ve never been to a counsellor, or just think it would be good for you, then go and talk to someone. Who knows, you may only need one session, or you’ll need loads. Whatever the case, deal with your pain so that it doesn’t deal with you. Also I personally think that if you’re in a relationship then it’s even more important; there is a lot of stuff that comes up when we share our lives intimately with someone, and sometimes they can’t carry our baggage. Oh and because I don’t like to leave anyone out: if you really are emotionally stable and this doesn’t apply to you, then that is great and feel free to ignore this paragraph!

All this was to say it’s nice not having to figure everything out by myself. Yes I still have to think, feel, process. However I am externalising it in a healthy environment instead of running circles in my mind. Oh and in case you were wondering, my over-active mind came back from her holiday and then handed in her notice of resignation. Turns out I don’t need her anymore, anyway!

If you can closely relate to the above and need to talk to someone about it, then feel free email me. Sometimes it’s just nice knowing someone understands and is there to listen. 

Truth Hurts

It’s a loaded gun that holds freedom instead of bullets. Though the initial pain still hurts like an open wound,  I consider it worth it to gain that freedom. Sadly, that’s often what truth is in our lives: ugly and painful. That is until we face it and light shines upon the face of truth; we begin to see the beauty of it and living within it, instead of continuing to believe the lie that we need to be  running away from it.

The truth is different for all of us. Maybe you don’t want to even think about the truth because you aren’t able to see it anymore, or maybe your life is drenched in truth. I’m aiming for the latter of the two, so I’ve been thinking about truth a little more than normal recently.

What I’ve learnt first hand (hold your breath, this is DEEP) is that truth is truth. You can colour it in with permanent marker, you can put a blanket over it, you can ignore it, but the truth will always be there and it usually does come out eventually.

Recently I’ve been facing a few home truths. Initially it hurt more than my words can justify because it was a new fresh wound. The pain is still ever present but so is God’s love, peace, and the joy of being free. Oh the beauty of freedom; even in sadness one can’t deny it’s the most yearned for and magnificent position to be in. Nothing is worth more to me than living in the freedom of truth, but sometimes we have to experience the other side to know the difference. The crossover is painful, but once we’re there, it’s done.

That’s why Jesus came and died for us right? To be free INDEED. Instead of ‘free’ and walled up in a cage of deceit, lies and dishonesty. His dying for us brought GRACE to truth so that we could face it. His grace means that we can live in TRUTH because He has saved us.

When I say ‘truth’ I am referring to anything you know in your heart to be true, to the truth of Jesus and who He is, to the truth that is and will always be. Truth is in the light and the light will always prevail, so just do it! Live in truth.

Choose true friends that will be straight with you, love you, challenge you and encourage you. Be accountable to them.

Be courageous. Face whatever it is that you don’t want to, and everyday choose to be true to yourself and those around you.

Speak truth in love.  That doesn’t mean it’s okay to criticize and rebuke because you’re being ‘honest’ out of love – hold on to tact and only fight battles worth fighting. Many things are better left unsaid.

Build your life around it. If you choose to live with integrity in the small things then your integrity will be proven on the big things, and before you know it your life will be built on truth. Living in truth sets you and people in your life free. It gets easier and you will continue to grow and get stronger.

Make truth a habit and it will become your life.

What do you find hardest about living in truth? Have you ever had to be honest with yourself  when you really haven’t wanted to? Tell me a story about being truthful. Leave a comment!