Something More

Jonny Diaz – “Breathe” (Official Lyric Video) – YouTube

Yes, just breathe. Take a deep breath through your nose and hold it for a few seconds. Then slowly breathe out through your mouth. Some days you just need to take deep breaths like that a couple of times so you can collect your thoughts and decide what to do next. It helps when one gets anxious or stressed. Your body will be able to calm down and focus instead of freaking out!

I’ve had to do that countless times and it helps me so much. Between the careful breathing and prayer, I am able to calm down and focus. 

“There’s gotta be something more to this crazy life” which is why my site motto is: “Changing the world, one step at a time.” Because there is something more than all of the crazy in this life. There is our Heavenly Father who created us to glorify Him in all that we do. 

Sometimes, glorifying God in all that we do is hard, maybe feels nearly impossible for us. But we can do anything with Him Who gives us strength! And He forgives our shortcomings. Which means we can also forgive ourselves and keep trudging forward! 

You may be wondering, how does one person change the world, just by taking one step? Well, try thinking of it this way: 

Everyone has options, our reactions to our experiences and circumstances are important and have an impact on our life and the lives of those around us – whether we see that or not. 

For instance, I had a bad day at work. There was a new record for me of unhappy customers, four in one day! Normally I get by with only one  – and that happens only once every few days or so. But this day I just couldn’t seem to cheer up those grumpy older ladies! Most of the time it was for things out of my control, like our store’s return policy or the current sales. But once it was something I could’ve stopped as soon as I realized something was off. I did apologize to each of those customers and tried to make their days a little brighter even if they were really bothering me and making it really hard for me to not let them ruin my day.

But then there are other customers, ones that apologize to me about the rude customers and explain how they understand and encourage me saying I’m doing a good job. Retail isn’t the greatest all the time, but I do love my customers and want them all to leave the store with a happy smile on their face – even if we didn’t have the item or sale they wanted. I want them to feel noticed as a unique individual. To see the love of Jesus radiating from me as well. And that’s why I try to be happy and smile all the time, not just because being happy feels better, but because I want to shine bright for Jesus!

So how is doing that a step towards changing the world? Something as small as a smile can brighten someone’s day. Something as simple as a kind word or conversation can change someone’s perspective – which leads to them having a better day, which then leads to others having a better day. It’s called the ripple effect. 

There’s more to life than you see through your own eyes. And when you see a stranger and how they act – or even someone you know, what you are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more under the surface! 

Everyone has a collection of things they have gone through or are going through. When you mix up all their experiences in a blender only then can you begin to understand why they do, say, act like they do. That is why God wants us to give each other grace and to encourage each other. To forgive each other of our shortcomings and to move on. Jesus said we are supposed to forgive each other seventy-seven times! Or seventy times seven, depending on what translation you use. That’s a lot of forgiveness to have for someone! I try my best to forgive, but forgiveness is something I struggle with. I’ll have these days where I thought I forgave someone for something, but then realize later that I hadn’t truly forgiven them. Which I guess brings up the question of: how do you know when you have forgiven someone?    

When your first thought isn’t about the hurt they have caused you. When you don’t feel like you need to “get even” or take revenge on them or hoping they will fail. When you would help them when they needed help despite how they had hurt you. That’s how you know you have forgiven them. 

But what happens if they never ask for forgiveness? I don’t know about you, but I’ve experienced tons more pain from people who hurt me and never apologize. They either don’t know they hurt me, or they simply don’t care. And that’s one of the hardest things for me to forgive. Mostly because I’m afraid they’ll just do it again. But like it says in Matthew 18:21-22 we are supposed to keep forgiving them. Why are we supposed to – even if they don’t deserve it? Well, because we don’t deserve to be forgiven for our sins either. Because God forgives us, we should forgive them, like it says in Matthew 6:15. 

Be the different person who forgives when others don’t. Be the person who looks on the bright side of things, the ‘cup half full’ person. Let your smile brighten someone’s day. Shine the Light of Jesus!

Bye for now, have a wonderful day!

~ Carissa