Boy do I think way too much...

So where to begin here...

Everyday during the week, I leave work and I have that 25 minute car ride back to my apartment. It always seems to be the time when my mind just runs with ideas. So just for organization purposes let's actually try to map out the past week or so main themes.

- Trusting in something (for me it's the Lord)
- Making decisions/knowing yourself.
- Friends and Happiness.

- Trusting in something -

It seems like no matter what is going on in our lives that it's in our nature to wonder, worry, be hopeful, or scared about the future. I know I have experienced all these emotions at one point in my life when my mind ventured to the future. There are many quotes on this subject and many people have tried to calm our natural reaction to the subject.

- Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

- Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life. (Steve Jobs: Founder of Apple Computers)

- I never think of the future. It comes soon enough. (Albert Einstein)

My thoughts are that you can try your hardest to make something happen. You could buy every lottery ticket but one. In life though, there are many things that are out of our control but you shouldn't worry about an outcome you cannot change. Nor should you feel bad about an undesired outcome when you put your all into it.

With life the end result is not what typically teaches you the lesson. It's the ride on the way to the end result. Steve Jobs was right that Hindsight is always 20/20. It's not the easiest thing to do but everyday I trust in the Lord that he'll connect my dots.

- Making decisions/knowing yourself -

This is a subject I often find dominates my thoughts. Everyone has heard the quotes about the most important relationship is the one with yourself...You can't be loved if you don't love yourself.

I can't say I disagree with those statements too much. The only way to be really happy is to follow your heart. Well the only way to know what your heart is saying is to get to know you. When faced with decisions in life people often sacrifice what they want for what others want of them. People believe that are truly loving the person if they act this way...

But how can you love someone else if you aren't loving yourself. To give love you must have love for you. Truly, the right decision for yourself is the one that doesn't sacrifice you. This doesn't mean be selfish but you must stand up for yourself or no one else will.

"If I am not myself then who will be me"

In the end the hardest part about making a decision should not be focused on how it will effect others but rather what it is you truly want and how that will effect you.

You alone control who and the extent others can effect you. Ultimately, God gave you the responsibility to make your own decisions.

- Friends and Happiness -

This summer has taught me a great deal about the value of friends. It has also taught me that like most things in life...friends come and go like the seasons. Friends are so important, in my opinion, because they give you someone to care for and give to while at the same time having someone to lean on and be there for you.

I've had a great summer because of friends. Friends make you smile and convince you to forget about all the things holding you down.

Happiness is a strange thing. It's usually found when you're not actively looking for it but at the same time it can be found by a decision to be happy. It's definitely not tangible but at the sametime can stem from tangible things.

Ultimate happiness though comes from within and from God. I think if you make up your mind that you are happy then you'll be happy. I know this sounds simple but next time you are down just smile and you instantly start to think things are better.

So yeah...I still think to much.

This is what I'm practicing on...

Proverbs 3:5-6

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.