From the archives and modified…

What is a dry well?  Simply put it’s a well that is dry, one that does not produce any water.  A dry well would be one that no one returns to to quench their thirst and in most cases it would be capped of, abandoned and forgotten.

…but they are most often always still there.

Getting water from a well is not an easy task, it a takes a lot of work.

I’m not talking about the modern day technology kind of well that’s used by cities, allowing us to get hot or cold water from our faucets, not that kind of well.

I’m talking about the old wells. You know, the one where the bucket is hanging there – you have to manually turn the crank down to the bottom, scoop the water in the bucket and then crank the bucket up; that’s a lot of work to get one bucket of water!

IF you were to make the effort to go to the well, the old fashioned kind – put the bucket on the hook, crank it ALL the way down to the bottom and then crank it back up ONLY to find it empty…

…would your need be met?

Would you be able to quench your thirst? or use the water to wash your clothes? bathe yourself or your child?

no.

You would most likely walk away feeling sad, defeated, lonely, frustrated, thirsty, dirty, afraid.

Knowing that the well was dried up, would you go back to get more water?

Maybe, right?

Maybe the well just happened to be dry that day — maybe tomorrow would be different — maybe because it rained {or something like that} …there would be water.

So, the next day you go to the same well, drop the same bucket only to find…

…the well IS still dry!

Shoot!  Once again your needs are not met.  You walk away with the same feelings you had the day before; sad, defeated, lonely, frustrated, thirsty, dirty, afraid.

This could go on for days hoping to get different results. Until finally the decision is made to accept the reality that the well is dry.

It will no longer meet the needs that it once did.

You. let. it. go.

You find another well to meet your needs. But it’s very difficult and it can take a lot of time.

Over the past couple of years I’ve asked myself why in the world am I continually drawn to “dry wells”?

Now, I’m talking about people and relationships.

I make the connection between the two because some of the relationships that I’ve had OR have are like dry wells; they do not quench my thirst.

I continue to go to the people {relationship} thinking the next time will be different…

…but it’s not.

I leave sad, defeated, sometimes insecure, feeling judged, frustrated, empty.

I’ve come to the realization {once again} that we indeed are creatures of habit and change is not easy!

What have I done?

I’ve taken the path of least resistance, in some cases, and continue to get the same results. yuk…it’s painful.

“Sometimes we have to set aside or walk away from the unhealthy to make room in our lives for God to bring healthy.”

This statement is so true, but difficult.  Why?

Because we want so bad for the “well” aka. person {relationship} not. to. be. dry.

Plus, it’s easy to NOT work on de-cluttering and be “status quo” — even though something may be unhealthy and painful.

Double Plus, if we let go of that, even though it’s unhealthy — what do we replace it with in the meantime?

Do we trust God to bring us healthy?

Remember, people {relationships}, like a dried up well, are most often always still there.  As we make the decision to “set aside the unhealthy to make room for the healthy” — it doesn’t mean we need to destroy or eliminate — we just don’t need to go there anymore.  We need to set boundaries and make room for God to bring us healthy.

How many dry wells are you going to?

Photo Credit: wonka_chocolate

It’s December, 2011. Can you believe it?

How did you do this year?

Those “New Year’s resolutions” — did they last? For how long?

Those plans to start Christmas shopping early? Did you?

Your goals to eat healthier, sleep longer, work out more, be better at _________.

…did you meet any of them?

This last month of 2011 has me thinking. Thinking about me. Sounds selfish, doesn’t it?

You see, I started this year on January 1, 2011 with my husband at a coffee shop. We had our planners, list of important dates, and the family calendar, and we were inspired with a fresh look at the year ahead. We planned and penciled in, we strategized and set goals for ourselves. It was a good feeling!

Then life happened.

Oh we stuck to some of what we had planned for a few weeks, perhaps even months. Before we knew it our busy work schedules, unexpected obligations, and adventuresome curve balls had thrown our carefully planned plan severely off track. I became overwhelmed and frustrated that “the plan” was dismembered. Gradually I began to realize what I never want to forget.

It’s in the everyday, in the mundane and the unexpected that life happens. It’s a great thing to plan and strategize, but the resulting plan and strategy must remain pliable and somewhat tentative. Schedules change, and setbacks happen. What really matters is how we deal. How do we handle ourselves when unexpected everyday life happens?

The phrase I learned this past year is “on purpose.”

It doesn’t matter what doesn’t go as planned. It’s OK to be spontaneous. The bottom line is how I live today. I want to embrace today and be ready for whatever comes. The only way I’m able to do that is to live on purpose…

…to go the extra mile in the little things.

I must choose to discipline myself in the little things so I am ready to meet and/or greet the surprises that may or may not come along.

So as I look at the end of 2011 and see 2012 right around the corner, I’m starting early on my “resolutions” — I’m only making one.

“In 2012 I will strive to live everyday on purpose, disciplining myself in the little everyday things so I am equipped and ready for the unexpected.”

Will you join me in starting early on planning for success in 2012? What rigidness could you let go of that would make your 2012 more doable? What disciplines in the little things could you put in place this month that will make your January start off with contented sigh?

Don’t forget, the “unexpected” takes on many forms!

Imagine the wonderful opportunities that might come our way this next year if we rid our lives of clutter by living on purpose!!

I was inspired by one man’s story as I watched Extreme Makeover Home Edition last night.  Did you see it?  The Terpenning Family was featured.  Not sure of all the little details, but big brush stroke…….the father was born with Polio in the early 70‘s in Vietnam during the war (half American/half Vietnamese).   He was adopted by an American family and has been in a wheelchair his whole life.  He’s married and a father of 4.  He’s a wheelchair sports champion and mentor to disabled Iraq War veterans……..an AMAZING soul this many has!

Anyway, it got me thinking about the limits we put on ourselves, our dreams, our passions, and ALSO the limits we allow others to put on us when it comes to living our passion or working towards fulfilling our dreams.

This man could’ve become a victim, blamed others, believed what others in the world had told him ~ that he wouldn’t ever accomplish much because he was never going to be able to get out of his wheel chair, clearly he was limited.  But there was NO LIMIT to what he could accomplish – he’s a fighter, he had a vision to earn a gold metal in swimming and he did it!  HE set his bar high and didn’t let anyone get in his way or lower it.  He’s a mentor, he shares his story and his experiences to help others, he’s an AMAZING father who’s sending the message to his kids to literally “be all you can be”  – in his mind, there is NO LIMIT to what you can accomplish in this life.  I love it!!

I know that limitations need to be set in many areas of our lives.  In our relationships, setting boundaries or limits for ourselves and others to maintain healthy relationships is huge.  A couple of other quick examples are…… 1) Cell phone usage – going over the limit can be VERY costly, I’ve learned that one the hard way, OUCH!!  2) Watching TV and/or playing video games can at times be an issue IF limits are not set for kids AND adults.  3) Alcohol/Caffeine intake  4) Spending money.  I could list many more areas where setting limits and boundaries are extremely important but I want to write about……….NO LIMITS!!

I often set limits in my mind when I dream about what I want to accomplish or be who I want to be.  I’ve been faced with people who I call “dream shooters” and have learned that I need to take what they say with a grain of salt, consider it, but don’t let it hold me back.  Are you surrounded by dream shooters?  Unfortunately, they often are our closest family members and best friends.

There’s an amazing song by Kutless titled What Faith Can Do.  I listen to it often…..if you haven’t heard, it check it out here on youtube.com – I love the lyrics, here are a few I want to share when it comes to NO LIMITS………

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
.  Hope that doesn’t ever end even when the sky is falling.  
And I’ve seen miracles just happen.  Silent prayers get answered.  
Broken hearts become brand new
, that’s what faith can do

.  It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard, impossible is not a word, it’s just a reason for someone not to try
.  Everybody’s scared to death
; when they decide to take that step
 out on the water, 
It’ll be alright.  
Life is so much more
 than what your eyes are seeing
, you will find your way if you keep believing……..

What are your dreams?  How CAN and WILL you make a difference if you were to raise the bar high and know that there is NO LIMIT to what you can do?  What can you do today, and the next day, and the following days after that to bring you steps closer to your goals and dreams?

Faith = NO LIMITS