Saturday morning while enjoying a cup of tea on the couch in my loungeroom, I was looking at my white elephant … thinking about his upward gaze. Which somehow then took me back to a time in Zambia…
I was going into town on public transport by myself.  I had done it many times before. I knew to carry my backpack on my front as a theft prevention tactic. But when walking through the streets, I never knew quite what to do when ‘suspect’ people coming towards me would stare me down.  Should I stare them back? What if that provokes them? Maybe I should avert my eyes elsewhere? 
A Zambian friend gave me the following points … 

1) Always walk with your head up, bold and confident, like you know where you’re going…even if you don’t! 

2) Never stop to read a map on the street, or carry it as you are walking, because that’s a sure sign you don’t know where you’re going, and makes you a possible target. 

3) If you’re feeling lost or unsure, go somewhere safe and private to work out where you need to go. Then continue on your way.   

4) Remember thieves are out there looking for an opportunity.  And as a white woman traveling alone, you are a sure target! 

5) So NEVER look away from the stare, but hold it.  Because in looking away, they see and feel your fear, and if they are ‘suspect’ then you’ve just given them a taste of victory, and a reason to go through with their plan.

It’s interesting how this advice against possible theft on the streets of Zambia can be applied to preventing theft in our everyday lives, on the journey that is life.  

1) Just like my white elephant, keep looking up … to God! Know the plan and the direction of your purpose, and walk in it boldly and with confidence. If you don’t know it, then ‘fake it till you make it’.  You will discover it! 

2) Never try to workout your journey on the street amongst the crowds.   People can be unhelpful for a variety of reasons … we are all working out our own journey (because we all have stuff), while some may have ‘suspect’ motives. 

3) Find that safe and private place, with God, a trusted friend, someone who ‘knows more’, to find your direction again, and then continue your journey boldly and confidently, with your head held high.  

4) We all know people: who have died before their time through ill health or misadventure, who have not seen their dreams come to pass, who have been overcome by their circumstances and never recovered to live a full life . The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. Which means that  mankind as a whole, is a target for theft of the life purpose we were made for on this journey of life.  

5)  When confronted by a stare, don’t let your eyes avert from it … because that’s when what you fear, can take you unaware. Looking away from a situation, doesn’t make it go away. Denial doesn’t fix it either. It’s still there staring you down, moving closer to you, seeing and feeling your fear, tasting it’s victory. 

BUT  INSTEAD  Face your fear! 

Keep your eyes open to what is confronting you and DON’T give in to possible ‘suspect’ motives. You’ll disarm them and they’ll either avert their stare, and / or walk on past you. But either way, if there was a ‘suspect’ motive, you will have thwarted it.  

“Courage is not the absence of fear,  but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela. 

“You don’t need to be fearless, you just need to be faithful.”  Christine Caine. 

So be faithful to yourself, the plan for your life, and the direction you need to take, in order to see the purpose for your life come to pass. 

The drum: ‘Out of Africa’ Johannesburg.    The print: The Women’s Market Kampala. The elephant: Ikea Melbourne.  

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The pepper grinder holds whole pepper granules, that must go through the grinder on the way to the plate of food in order to enhance and add flavour. To put whole pepper granules on your meal would be unpalatable.  

Likewise in life … 
We are all on a journey, working ourselves out, living life, making mistakes, learning lessons, seeking to improve ourselves so as to be a better person. 
It’s the never ending process of moving through the grinder, for more and more refining. 
We all carry thoughts, beliefs and attitudes, that must go through the grinder ‘challenge’ on the way to the plate of ‘daily influence’ that is life. We all want to ‘enhance and add flavour’ through our influence, to those we encounter.  
But when we step away from the grinder process, any negative thoughts, beliefs or attitudes can influence our words and actions, thereby potentially adding a negative flavour to those we encounter in our day… making the experience unpalatable.
In saying this, we don’t all like the same seasonings on our food, and so likewise we don’t all have to hold the same thoughts, attitudes and beliefs. That’s the beauty of being able to have your own opinion, (rightly or wrongly in the mind of others), it’s yours to have and to own. 
But regardless of our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs, we can all apply the same gold standard. That is to put those thoughts, attitudes and beliefs through the grinder process, resulting in a positive palatable expression of words and actions on those who are the recipients.  
And when all else fails,  apply the following: 

If you cant say /do something nice,  then don’t say / do anything at all. 

Be like that of ground pepper . . . because the refined you is the best you that you can be!  

This year for me seems to be all about the journey, and so it seems I had a lot to learn from a recent flight to Queensland…

1) I had a flight to catch.  I had booked a car space in long term parking and drove there using Google maps.  Before starting off I cross referenced the Google directions with the car park written directions to make sure they were one in the same, which they were.  Arriving at the long term car park, it then took some time to find an actual parking space,  but I prayed and found success.

2) Then it was a short walk to the bus pick up point that would take me to the airport.  The bus arrived, we boarded and started off.  People got on at various stops along the way,  one woman realising she forgot a bag had to get off so that she could return back to the point where she’d left her bag, and would then get back on the bus at a later point. While I was sorry for her dilemma, I was also grateful that I was drama free. 

3) Arriving at the airport I looked left right and up over head for signs to navigate me to my check-in point. I arrived and moved through the que. I continued to read all the various signs, to make sure I wasn’t missing any vital information.
4) Putting my suit case up on the rack, I removed the snap lock bag of liquids in my carry on, walked through the detector…. and BEEPED! I was asked to go back.  I’d forgotten about my phone in my back pocket.  I removed it, put it on the rack,  and walked through again…. no beeping!  I collected my case and things from the rack on the other side.
5) Then I was off to find my departure gate.  I went to Gate 3. But then realised my boarding pass says Terminal 3. It doesn’t show a gate.  And my flight is not listed on the flight screen at Gate 3. So I wandered back and forth (grateful I still had time) checking first of all that I was actually at Terminal 3. Once I confirmed that,  I then went to each Gate checking the flights scheduled on each flight screen.  Thankfully I found my flight listed on Gate 2. I still had time so I sat in the lounge area for 20 mins or so until boarding was announced.
6) Distracted posting on social media on my phone, I missed the announcement about seating, but I figured it was not that important so long as I get on the right plane.
7) Allocated to seat 9A, I moved along in the que. As I showed my boarding pass the air hostess said something like “Walk along the yellow bridge.”  I didn’t know there was any other option once you went through those boarding doors.  But as I walked along the boarding bridge I saw an exit to the right.  Some people were taking that exit, while others continued along the bridge.
8) Initially I took the bridge, but then questioned my choice, asking a fellow passenger as to why some were taking that exit on the right. She explained that those with row numbers 15 and above had to go that way, and advised me that as I was row number 9 I should be going that way. I noticed she was wearing a hearing aid… but in this instance I figured I was the hearing impaired, as she seemed to know more than me about the seating advice. I questioned that 9 was not above 15 but below.  And she clarified 1-15 should take that exit. So I looked ahead at the bridge I was on and saw nothing yellow to indicate this was the ‘yellow bridge’. I did consider that 9 should be towards the front of the plane, and in my experience this bridge usually connects with the front of the plane. Maybe this time is different? So I took her advice and went down the exit.
9) Down the stairs, outside on to the tarmac,  where I was exposed to the bitter cold morning air and the wind cutting on my face.  There were yellow barriers marking out the path and I figured this must be the ‘yellow bridge’.  But this path was now taking me up the stairs to the rear of the plane. Anyway I’m here now…. so I continued up the stairs, and onto the plane.
10) Obviously I wasn’t the only one to not hear that original seating announcement.  While many diverted off into their allocated seats at the rear end of the plane,  there was a few of us moving through the whole length of the plane, side stepping and passing as we communicated with oncoming passengers to get to our allocated seats closer to the front of the plane.  As I stood in empty seats with my case in my arms, to let people past, many had the perception that I was waiting to put my case up in the over head luggage compartment, and so offered me assistance.  I had to repeatedly communicate,  that this was not my seat,  but that I was merely stepping aside to let them through.  Eventually the aisle was clear and I found my way to seat no 9A.

It’s ironic how this mundane process of getting to the airport and on the plane can be so much like life….

1) We cross reference our directions with the information we have to ensure we are on the right path. Certain parts of the journey take longer than you anticipate,  as you search, but you eventually find your niche.
2) People get on and off and on again at various stages of the journey for their own reasons. And while it’s good to empathise with their situation, it can also help us to appreciate our own journey.
3) Read the signs. Don’t forget to look up (in prayer) for signs. To double check everything.  To ask questions when you’re unsure.
4) Sometimes we feel like we are just going through the mundane of everyday life and then suddenly there’s a BEEP that stops us in our tracks.  Recognise the BEEP.  Fix what caused the BEEP.  Then try again.
5) We don’t always have all the information we need for every stage of the journey,  but if we know our destination then the missing information can be worked out along the way.
6) Listen to ‘announcements’ even if they don’t seem critically important at the time… the importance might become relevant later on.
7) Even if you think there are no other options, know your destination, so that if other options do come up, you can stay on course and keep heading in the right direction…it’s simpler and less complicated that way.
8) It’s important to listen to advice along the way. Check your source of advice … we can all be hearing impaired in different situations at different times of life.
9) Taking the wrong advice can land you where you don’t want to be.  On an unnecessary detour exposed to the bitter elements of life.  Now taking a different path on the journey to reach your destination.
10) Know where you’re headed because other people’s perceptions about your situation are not always correct. It’s important to communicate … repeatedly if necessary.
Always remember everyone’s on their own journey, with a destination in mind.  Empathise with those who’ve made wrong turns, ‘lost luggage’ along the way, and are now on a detour route. But  always prioritise yourself, making sure to keep your own journey planner in check so that you don’t get detoured, but stay on track, in order to reach your desired destination in life via the simplest most direct route.

Over the last 16 years I’ve made several trips to Africa, and along the way, purchased many mementos while on my travels.  One of my favourites would be the style of jewellery pictured below.

The beads are actually strips of paper torn from magazines, rolled, glued, and lacquered, then (in this case) threaded onto elastic to make this piece.  It is a great way for the local women (and men) to create an income generating business to support their family.

On reflecting about the creative idea of this product using what local resources are available, a product that now has a very large market to the tourist population has been created.  Who knew that an old magazine that has been read and re read many times over would one day be a bracelet, a necklace, or a pair of ear rings?  Yet this idea has gone on to grow and expand so much so that it has changed the lives and future destinies of so many families and communities.

Life can be just like this . . .

Life is full of many twists and turns.  Some anticipated and expected.  While others come completely unexpected . . . you don’t even know how you landed there, moving in that direction.  For me, I’ve worked as an Anaesthetic Nurse in the same place, in the same role for the last 24 years (the last 16 years in and around trips to Africa).

A couple of months ago, I was reflecting back over all those years, and how comfortable I am to stay there.  I’d probably never leave.  Is that a bad thing?  Seemingly it wasn’t meant to be . . . for within a few weeks after that time of reflection, I found myself taking a new direction.

Currently coming to the end of a 12 month contract, and nothing permanent available for me in my current workplace, I began looking for a new place of work, as an Anaesthetic Nurse, or maybe something different.  I wasn’t sure.  I considered a completely new direction in the area of medical supply sales, but that didn’t work out.  I considered the ‘moving interstate direction’ where there are more opportunities . . . but then a recruiter agency found me online, and it all took another direction again.

She found me something much bigger and better than I could have negotiated for myself.  Then in the midst of landing that position (as an Anaesthetic Nurse) I discovered some things about myself and my own health, that now has me considering a study option, that may open up the possibility of another  direction for me further down the road, albeit still in health, but along the lines of natural therapies.

And so it is . . . we should always be open to the unexpected twists and turns . . .  seemingly it’s all part of the journey, all part of the process.

The paper had to be a page in a magazine, before it could ever become a bead on a piece of jewellery.

It was never imagined that the magazine pages would one day be used to create jewellery . . . until someone came up with the idea, created it, and developed it.

Today’s direction might look completely different to the direction of tomorrow. . . but I believe God has already had the idea, created it in each of us, and it is being developed  as we move through the process of all the twists and turns, on the journey that is life.

Over the years I’ve admired people like Madonna and Kylie who repeatedly seem to be able to reinvent themselves to move with the times.  I don’t particularly like their style of music, but they are good at what they do, and being able to reinvent themselves is part of that.  Thankfully, I don’t need to, as I wouldn’t even know where to start.

But then today as I was driving home after some ‘retail therapy’, the recent words of a friend came back to me “How did you do it Helen?  You’ve lost 12 kilos and basically reinvented yourself.”

The 12 kilos was the result of eating a healthier diet of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, as well as eliminating all carbohydrates and processed foods from my grocery trolley.  Having lost those kilos meant I now had to buy some new clothes, as I had gone from a size 14 down to a size 10-12.  This gave me the perfect opportunity to reinvent my wardrobe, although I hadn’t deliberately intended to do so.  I just needed clothes that fitted me, and with all the EOFY sales, it couldn’t have happened at a better time.   A part of me did feel like a change, so I just started buying items that I liked, regardless of if it was my usual style or not.  A pair of bold bright blue tights was the very first item, and that then meant buying other items to complete the outfit.

My former wardrobe has always been quite reserved, conservative, and practical.  I liked bold, bright and radical, but just never had the confidence to go there.  Somewhere within me I guess I had decided that if I was to wear bright, bold, and radical, then I had to be bright, bold, and radical.  And I’m not!  So I never ventured beyond black, navy or brown for shoes, because then they can be worn with anything and everything.  My lower half was usually a dark colour be it pants or jeans.  Tops were usually where I ventured out with colour in a relatively conservative manner.

I remember a few years ago, I bought a bright red pair of jeans.  I don’t think I even wore them once, before they ended up in a bag for the second hand clothing store.  At the time of buying them I thought I could be bold enough to wear them, but when it came to actually doing it, I just wasn’t there yet!  Then last year I bought a khaki pair of pants, but I’ve only worn them a few times . . . again not fully comfortable with them, despite how I felt when trying them on in store.

In hindsight I think the process of reinvention actually began in May this year.  I wanted something different!  And so I had my hair cut asymmetrically, and coloured from light brown with blonde foils to a two tone mix of red and dark brown.  In life I like everything symmetrical, but I love this asymmetrical cut, despite the fact that I’ve rediscovered short hair is more work than longer hair.

In my wardrobe I now have and have worn with confidence, bright (single coloured) tights with ‘just above the knee’ skirts.  I’ve bought some bright red suede boots and some ‘very  green’ casual shoes.  All of which will only go with certain items in my wardrobe, but I’m exploring options outside the usual as well.  Options that I’m told ‘work for me’, but maybe they’re not the norm, and they certainly have not been my ‘norm’ before . . . so it’s all a work in progress.

It seems strange to me that I can be so conservative in my wardrobe sense, but when it comes to lifestyle choices, I’ve spent the last 5 years living on next to nothing, house sitting for or boarding with friends in between short term volunteer trips to Africa for 6 months to a year.  That’s hardly the decision of a reserved, conservative, practical person who doesn’t like to stand out.

All of life is a journey, as we discover new aspects of ourselves, and new ways to express ourselves, exploring outside our usual way of thinking.  The change might start with one small decision (such as a pair of tights) different to your ‘norm’ that leads to another small decision, and so on it goes.   And before you know it, that area of your life is new and different to what you once knew it to be.

And who knows you may well be pleasantly surprised to find that others are impressed with your reinvention.  Really, it doesn’t matter what others think, but it’s always nice to receive positive feedback.  But what I’ve learnt through this process of reinvention and what I’d like to encourage you in is this:

 Be the best you that you can be.                                                                                                        That’s who you were created to be.                                                                                                      Not trying to be who you think you should be.

SO

Be true to yourself!                                                                                                                                   Be the real person you are in each area of your life.                                                                       And when it’s time for a change, be open to that . . .                                                                 as it comes with a whole new level of freedom of expression.

It was my day off and I had a number of things on my to do list.  I concluded that they wouldn’t all get done today . . . but that’s okay.  I had enjoyed the sleep in, the lazy morning, and then the anticipated phone call from a local shoe store to say that my red suede shoes had arrived.

So off I set for the shoe store!  I had contemplated earlier in the morning of my need for a card holder.  You see I’ve changed from using a regular wallet to using a fabric zip pouch a friend gave me while I was in Uganda.  But this means all my cards sit at home on the bench unless I need to take one with me.  But invariably what happens is while I’m out, I discover I need my license for identity, or I realise I left my visa card at home, or whatever the case may be.  So I came to the conclusion that I either need to go back to using a wallet, or buy a card holder.  I know all I need to do is go to a bag shop and they’ll definitely have them.   But there is no bag shop at the shopping strip I was going to today, so that will have to wait. . .

My red suede shoes are fabulous!  My local store had only had size 38 and size 40.  I’m usually a 39 or a 40.  The 38 might be fine once they stretch a little, but the 40 were definitely that much too big.   So I decided to pay for the size 39, which would have to be transferred from Sorrento, and were non-refundable if I decided they weren’t right afterall.  So I took a chance!  And it’s a chance I’m glad I took!  Don’t you just love it when that happens!  I just love them! They are bright, bold, radical and not like anything else I’ve ever bought before, although I’ve often wanted to.

While crossing the road, to go for what was now an early afternoon brunch, I saw an Op Shop a few doors up . . . so I decided “Why not!” I’ll take a look.  Stepping in the door, greeting the woman behind the counter, and staring at me from within the glass counter was a small red wallet.  On checking it out, it was indeed a card holder, in perfect condition, and for just $4 . . . . BARGAIN!  You gotta love that when it happens!  And in red!  Seemingly that’s my favourite colour at the moment.  I found nothing else in the store that interested me enough to purchase, but I left satisfied, knowing that it was for the card holder that I was meant to enter that store for.

After brunch, I ventured off for an appointment.  But as I was an hour early, I decided to explore the area.  I passed through another Op Shop, but found nothing.  Then I ventured up some other street to see what was along there.  Really, I was just wandering to ‘kill’ time.  I came across a small clothing boutique with a rack of sale items outside.  It looked like a very expensive shop . . . and the prices on the ’sale items’ on the rack, would confirm that to be true.  Given I still had time to ‘kill’ I decided to go inside and JUST look.  They had the most beautiful, unique, but expensive jewellery . . . though still nice to admire!  Then because I didn’t want to be one to walk in and then 5 minutes later walk out, I decided to browse through the clothes.  There they were!  A pair of black cargo jeans . . . the only pair in my size . . . BUT the price!  Can I really pay that much for a pair of jeans?  Hmm . . . NOOOO!  Well !!!. . . Actually ! . . . Why not?  Maybe I can.  If I like them enough?

So the shop assistant put them in the change room while I continued to browse.  Thankfully I didn’t find anything else I liked.  So into the change room I went, and tried them on.  I barely had one leg in them, when I was thinking “Man, if these fit properly, these are a definite goer!”  The fabric itself was just so comfortable, and that was with only one leg in!  OMGsh!

Well . . . what can I say?  They are the perfect fit.  Like they were made for me.  I love it when that happens!  Obviously they came home with me.  So glad I wandered into that shop on a whim and found such a lush pair of jeans.

Then minutes before my appointment I received an sms from a number I didn’t have in my contacts.  You see last week, while out shopping I passed by a shop a friend used to work at a couple of years ago, on the chance that she might still work there.  I had passed by it many times, but never seen her there.  On my last trip to Africa, I was mugged for my phone and later discovered that my contacts were not all backed up on google . . . and as a result hers was one that was lost.

So passing by her workplace, I was surprised to finally see her there.  As it turns out . . . she, even less tech savvy than I . . . had lost many of her contacts when she had transferred over to a new phone. . . thus, we had no contact for over 2 years.  So this was a delight, as I quickly left her with my number, so she could serve a customer who had just entered the store.  So here is yet another unexpected surprise for the day . . .

The perfect fit of the red suede shoes, the unexpected find of a card holder, a lush pair of jeans on a random wandering to ‘kill’ time, and a message to ‘catch up’ from a long lost friend.  It really was a spectacular day for the ‘unexpected’ . . .

I feel like so often we miss such awesome little moments in our day.  We get so busy, or caught up in the ‘doing’ and the busyness of our day, that we don’t take a minute to slow down, recognise and appreciate  such unexpected moments of blessing.  While none of them were particularly life changing, (although the reconnection with a friend is definitely a heart-warming moment), they were moments and experiences in a day that impacted that day, and made it what it was.  And that made for a great day!

So be encouraged . . . to slow down, recognise and appreciate the ‘unexpected’ moments of blessing in your day.  If nothing more, it makes for a great day!

Bonus quote that came with the jeans:

Whatever you are, be a good one.

Be a good one at capturing the ‘unexpected’ moments of blessing in your day.

Over the years I’ve been to a number of theatre productions.  I love it for the atmosphere, the creativity in the costumes, the stage props and ultimately the storyline itself.  As the audience we only see what happens on the stage.  But behind the scenes – backstage – there is a whole team of people doing what’s required to make sure the play goes on as it was written.

Last year I went to see the Lion King, and how appropriate that I had just arrived home after living in Africa for a year.  I particularly loved the head pieces of Mufasa and Scar.  So elaborate, creative in their invention, and the way in which they moved gave them a degree of expression that I never would have thought possible from a head piece.  I was mesmerised by their moving parts, and how they were built.  They seemingly had life, if that is possible?

At one point during the production, I noticed Scar was not wearing his head piece in that scene.  I concluded that it must have broken somehow, and that backstage behind the scenes, someone (maybe even a team of people) were working to repair the headpiece, ready for him to wear again in the next scene.  However, the show must go on, and so for this scene, Scar would have to improvise and do without it.

Scar wasn’t worrying about the team fixing his head piece.  He knew that was in their hands, and he trusted that ‘behind the scenes’ they were onto it, even though he couldn’t see that they were actively onto it!  But what was important for him to do was to play his part of Scar on stage, so that the show would go on for those of us who were watching.  And then at the right time, (which turned out to be the next scene), Scar re-entered the stage wearing his headpiece, repaired.

I have no idea what happened behind the scenes, but I can only imagine, that due to that unexpected situation, there was probably a little panic initially, then some quick thinking, followed by some creative repairs to bring a solution to the situation.

This got me to thinking about life itself and those unexpected situations that take us by surprise.  Speaking for myself, I have to remember, that while I’m surprised, and initially panicked, trying to find a solution to the situation, God is NEVER surprised, or panicked (as He already knew).  Because of His knowing, then I have to assume He must also have a plan with a solution, for that situation.

So I have to actively choose to trust God and believe He is working on my behalf ‘behind the scenes’ to fix what is damaged or broken.  If I don’t, then I will worry myself into a spin.  In life sometimes things need to be adjusted, or repaired, then when the repairs are done, and at the right time, they can be re-introduced.

In the meantime though . . . the ‘show’ that is life, must go on.  Because there is a story to be told, and no matter who you are, there is always somebody watching to see how your ‘show’ unfolds.

Just because we can’t see God actively on the job, or we can’t see any visible changes happening in the situation, doesn’t mean things aren’t moving and shifting ‘behind the scenes’ in the unseen world.

Be encouraged to remember that God is working ‘behind the scenes’ in your situation, to make sure everything turns out okay.  It might not turn out the way you think, but it will still turn out okay, maybe even better than you thought.  In the meantime:

Be patient. Everything is coming together.

Remember:

All things are possible for the one who believes. Mark 9:23

Late last year I started having problems with my car. My beloved car that was such a blessing, and came to me through some good friends .  That’s why I named her Bukata (Boo- ka – tar) as it means ‘something good from God’ in one of the languages of Zambia.  But then Buka started to struggle in her capacity to run well out on the road.

Due for a service, I took her in, but still she was no better.  After a couple more visits to the mechanic and yet still no better, I was contemplating the idea of having to sell Buka and get a newer model.  After all maybe Buka (born in 2001) was just worn out and ready to retire.  Did I really want to keep pouring money in to her until I found the solution?

Due to my limited working hours at that time and thus limited income, I was unable to get back to my mechanic.  It was during this time that I decided to look for any patterns of behaviour in Buka.

She ran fairly fine on a full tank, but once she got down to half a tank, she started to falter and pull back.  She ran great on long trips, but not so great on short trips.  But then some short trips were okay.  Sometimes she seemed to run better if I ran the engine for a while before driving, and other times it seemed to make no difference.  Some days she ran just fine, and other days she faltered throughout the whole journey.  I couldn’t work it out.  What was the problem?

Then one day, it occurred to me that maybe I had filled up with a dodgy dose of fuel, although this problem had now been going on for a couple of months.  Surely if that was the problem it would have resolved by now with each refill.  As Buka was down to half a tank (when she often starts to play up) I decided to fill up with some premium fuel (instead of the usual regular unleaded) to see if that made any difference.

That day she ran beautifully.  But then she would sometimes do that anyway, but then she continued to run fine.  The next time I filled up, I went back to the regular unleaded.  Initially Buka continued to run fine, but then she started to falter again.  So the next time I filled up with premium, and she ran fine.  So I filled up again with premium, and she continued to run fine.  And she’s been running fine ever since. . . .

There was nothing mechanically wrong with Buka.  It was just what I was filling her up with (the regular unleaded, cheapest fuel available, yet apparently compatible) that made her run poorly.

You know where this is going . . .

Just as the fuel I was filling Buka with was limiting her capacity to run well, likewise the ‘fuel’ we fill our minds with can limit our capacity to run well. You can try all other possible solutions, but until you find the actual problem, you’ll not have the solution to get the results you need, in order to run as you should.

Recently I listened to a pod cast by a preacher Steven Furtick, and one of his lines was

‘The voice you listen to will determine the future you experience.’

To think Buka almost ended up in a junk yard as scrap metal, just because she wasnt running well, which was because I was filling her up with cheap fuel.  Regular unleaded fuel might be compatible with your car, but is it the best for your car?  The cheapest option is not always the best option.

Regular words might get you by in life, but premium words will get you running at your maximum capacity.   Look at your patterns of behaviour, your patterns of thinking.  What are they telling you about the quality of the fuel you are filling up with?  Do you need to upgrade?

Is your future looking regular or premium?

Don’t settle for the cheapest option.  It’s gotta be premium all the way!  Only the best will do.

I was recently chatting with a patient who told me she works for an insurance company as a Loss Adjuster.  I knew what she meant, but I had never heard the actual term ‘Loss Adjuster’ before.  So I googled it to find out the job description of what a ‘Loss Adjuster’ actually does.

Loss Adjusters: are there to assist you at times of loss or trauma.  They are the bridge between the insurer and the insured and their objective is to establish an outcome that is fair and reasonable to all parties.  They also help policy holders restore their property to full working order.

A Loss Adjuster:

1. Visits the site of loss to survey and assess damage.
2. Records details of loss with photos if possible.
3. Ensures that the site is secure after the loss by having doors and windows boarded up so as to prevent any further losses from occurring. Vital in preventing a further increase in the cost of the claim.
4. Recommends local repairers.
5. Advises on the most suitable ways to carry out repairs by issuing a full report.

My first thought was nothing to do with insurance, but rather “How many of us could do with a ’Loss Adjuster’ for those difficult times, when loss has happened in our world.  Be it the loss of a loved one through death, divorce or a relationship breakdown, a traumatic event that turned your world upside down, major surgery, a home break in, a personal attack, or an unresolved situation within your world

• Dealing with loss can be a difficult process.
• Loss can be an overwhelming process that can start with disappointment and lead to discouragement, despair and depression.
• Loss is personal to the individual.
• Loss can be real and/or perceived.
• What is loss to one person, may not be loss to another.
• Compounded loss: the most recent loss might be the smallest (or not), but it can still be the loss ‘that breaks the camel’s back’ as a result of one too many losses, in a long line of losses.
• Loss requires an adjustment.

Whatever the loss and however it happened, I think having a ‘Loss Adjuster’ would be a benefit to make sure each of the steps are covered as we go through the process.  Sometimes our internal ‘Loss Adjuster’ is not sufficient to process the incident that occurred, and so an external ‘Loss Adjuster’ is required.

Imagine it!  Someone to:

1. Assess your situation and the loss you’ve experienced.
2. Record the details (maybe not photos), but a written record shows you’ve been heard.
3. Ensure you are secure to prevent any further losses from occurring and adding to your grief, thereby preventing what I call ‘compounded loss.’
4. Recommend appropriate repairers for the damage done.
5. Advise on the necessary ‘repairs’ by issuing a full report on the situation.

I guess we do have ‘Loss Adjusters’ in counsellors, ministers, and other such professions, that help us process life events.  But how many of us actually utilise such services?  Instead, for whatever reason, we decide to handle the incident on our own, claiming that if we could just “get over it, and get on with life” then everything would be okay again.  Or that old saying “Time heals everything.”  when obviously it doesnt always!  Really what we need is an external  ‘Loss Adjuster’ to come in and help us walk through the process.

When it comes to making an insurance claim, we’d never consider handling that incident without calling on the insurance company.  So why then do we consider handling other forms of loss, without assistance from people with the professional expertise to do so?

There are times in life where we all need a ‘Loss Adjuster’ to help us through loss or trauma.  As per the  job description, they might just be the bridge needed to connect the ‘now me in loss’ with the ‘new me after loss’ thereby enabling  us to reconcile ‘what has happened’ with ‘how to move forward’ which in turn restores us to a fully functioning self.

Be encouraged to seek an appropriate ‘Loss Adjuster’ in times of loss or negative life events.

I just came across these quotes on Pinterest:

Don’t fake being okay.

You only hurt yourself.

Be real with what you’re going through,

Just don’t let it consume you.

Balance.

And . . .

Some people get lost for so long they forget what it was like to be themselves.

FIND  YOURSELF  AGAIN.

No 2 buttons are ever positioned in the exact same space as the other.  You might be side by side with another button that looks just like you, but you still have your own space to fill.

Every button has a button hole in order to ensure it has the ability to meet its designed purpose. 

Each button hole is made by the maker, and the maker ensures the button holes are sized to fit the buttons, and that they are aligned for a correct fit. 

Individually each button serves it’s purpose, but the combined work of all the buttons makes the garment fit and sit at its best. 

Likewise no two people have the same life purpose to fulfill.  You might look like you’re doing the same thing as somebody else, but you still have your own space (of influence) in which to outwork that purpose.

Everyone is made with a purpose in mind, and the maker has aligned everything for that perfect fit. Your button hole is there,  you just have to find it.  And when we’re all doing our own part, fulfilling the purpose for which we were made, then the space in which we live and work and play, is a better space for all.

Unlike the button, we are not an object and thus we have the ability to make the choice (or not) to find and fulfill our purpose.

For the button it is the thread that keeps it connected to the garment so that it can fulfil its purpose.  The button hole never goes anywhere.  But it’s when the thread of the button becomes weak through the stresses of wear and tear,  that the button is at risk of falling away from the garment, and thus losing its purpose.

May the thread of faith that holds you connected to your purpose,  never weaken through the daily wear and tear of life’s stresses, thereby putting you at risk of falling away.  But that the thread of faith should always be strong, ensuring that you remain connected to your purpose.

Be a button that through faith,  holds on tight and strong to the garment in order to fulfill it’s assigned purpose.