To have good esteem, I’m told, one must do esteem-able actions. I used to think I wouldn’t know whom i was in my life until I died and my life was complete. But- today as I pray, meditate, and try to live my life in service to others I find I draw strength of character in knowing that I help another. My idea of whom i am goes away in the wake of what I can do to help another. I love your posts Pastor Michael.
Thanks so much for this. I like that thought -- esteem-able actions lead to self-esteem. I also like the idea that figuring out who we are isn't so important when we focus on helping the other. You're a good teacher, Paul.
HI. I wanted to be so many things as I grew up. A ballerina, a lawyer, an artist and a writer. But I worked in a blouse mill, stores, asst. manager of a store, data entry in an office, receptionist in a dental office and now I work in a bakery. All through school I think I was just there. Didn't have to study hard, no one really asked what are your plans for when you graduate. I don't remember getting any encouragment at home for anything special. So now I wonder if that's why my self esteem isn't that great. I know somewhere in my little brain you don't need some great special job to be special, but yet I feel I was stupid not to have chosen something and now I'm just plain old boring me. It makes me feel bad knowing my brother has a good paying job, nice house, money, two kids in college. But yet I see that I am close to my two children and have 4 grandkids where he says he probably won't have because his girls are traveling and thinking of their careers. Anyway, as my favorite song says "I'm not ok, but it's all going to be alright." I'm happy working in the bakery and spending time with my family and being able to do things with my church family! So I guess all is well.
Thanks so much for sharing this. I think we're raised to think that we're all called to "careers," but so many of us end up just having "jobs." I believe that God calls us all to something in our lives, but that calling is not always our source of income. Sometimes our jobs are just the things we do in order to be able to pursue our callings in other ways. I know that you find pleasure and satisfaction in your bakery job, and I know that you find meaning in your fellowship with church people and with your grandkids. Maybe that's where your calling (and your identity?) really is!
What a wonderful gift! Thanks for sharing it! Did it bother or concern you that you didn't know what you wanted to be/do, or were you content without worrying about that?
I took each opportunity as it presented itself to me and enjoyed the ride. I continue to live this way in retirement.
To have good esteem, I’m told, one must do esteem-able actions. I used to think I wouldn’t know whom i was in my life until I died and my life was complete. But- today as I pray, meditate, and try to live my life in service to others I find I draw strength of character in knowing that I help another. My idea of whom i am goes away in the wake of what I can do to help another. I love your posts Pastor Michael.
Thanks so much for this. I like that thought -- esteem-able actions lead to self-esteem. I also like the idea that figuring out who we are isn't so important when we focus on helping the other. You're a good teacher, Paul.
I love you, man.
HI. I wanted to be so many things as I grew up. A ballerina, a lawyer, an artist and a writer. But I worked in a blouse mill, stores, asst. manager of a store, data entry in an office, receptionist in a dental office and now I work in a bakery. All through school I think I was just there. Didn't have to study hard, no one really asked what are your plans for when you graduate. I don't remember getting any encouragment at home for anything special. So now I wonder if that's why my self esteem isn't that great. I know somewhere in my little brain you don't need some great special job to be special, but yet I feel I was stupid not to have chosen something and now I'm just plain old boring me. It makes me feel bad knowing my brother has a good paying job, nice house, money, two kids in college. But yet I see that I am close to my two children and have 4 grandkids where he says he probably won't have because his girls are traveling and thinking of their careers. Anyway, as my favorite song says "I'm not ok, but it's all going to be alright." I'm happy working in the bakery and spending time with my family and being able to do things with my church family! So I guess all is well.
Thanks so much for sharing this. I think we're raised to think that we're all called to "careers," but so many of us end up just having "jobs." I believe that God calls us all to something in our lives, but that calling is not always our source of income. Sometimes our jobs are just the things we do in order to be able to pursue our callings in other ways. I know that you find pleasure and satisfaction in your bakery job, and I know that you find meaning in your fellowship with church people and with your grandkids. Maybe that's where your calling (and your identity?) really is!
I don't think I ever knew who I wanted to be or wanted to do. I know that I am God's child and its good enough for me.
What a wonderful gift! Thanks for sharing it! Did it bother or concern you that you didn't know what you wanted to be/do, or were you content without worrying about that?