joshbastian

what I knew.

So much of what I thought I knew is being turned on its head and I love it. People who have closed minds never get to experience the feeling of their minds being refreshed. I am learning so much more about what it means to be human. 

Here is the summary:

Life isn’t about me. Or what I can do. Or what I can contribute. I am so quick to think “what should I do next?”, I think that is flawed, I should be asking “who can I serve or love?”

Believe. This is so cliche. But this is a common theme in my life. Every six months I am reminded that it is the crazy people who believe the impossible is possible and because of that belief they bet the farm and go after something that is impossible. Sometimes they fail… but the crazy thing is, sometimes they do the impossible. Look at the life of Martin Luther King Jr. 

In order to be effective I must be graceful. And in order to be graceful with others, I must be continually aware of how much grace I have been given.

Last but not least, just because something is true, doesn’t mean it should be said right away or even at all. Our main goal should be to build each other up, not tear each other down, so I have to ask myself “is this a good time to say this? Will this be helpful?” If not, I shouldn’t say it.

break-fast.

I took a few days off of posting on social media sites, it was a nice break to be sure. Here are some thoughts from the time offline.

• If you aren’t happy without X, you still won’t be happy with X. X could be anything. Usually for most of us, me included, X could be a new job, new housing, relationships etc. It’s one of the biggest lies of our culture that we need all this stuff to be happy/fulfilled/at peace/content. Here’s my take, ya only need one thing to be happy/fulfilled/at peace/content, just that one thing, stop buying into lies that say you need more. (hint: that one thing is closer and gooder (yes, gooder) than you think.
• A full belly and plenty of sleep is super helpful.
• Getting in shape feels so good. I am not in great shape by any means, but I am getting closer to my goal every week and each week I feel (and look) better.
• I started to listen to Harry Potter. I like it a lot.
• Gotta focus on what you’re good at even if it hurts. Often it means giving up, sometimes just for a season, things that are in the way. 
• Started a book of quotes, first quote is this: “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step”- #MLK
• first impression is so important.
• I feel like a broken record, I always write about the same things.
• #buzzfeed is an amazing site.
• wikipedia goes down for one day and everyone goes crazy. I understand.
• Tough life decisions are realllly difficult.
• Ya gotta make peace with your weaknesses or ya won’t get anywhere. If you let your weaknesses rule you, they will.