(full disclosure: When I reread what I had written for this post, I thought that it seemed remarkable simple. I was pleased because my very best teachers were able to simplify, make connections, and apply things to my life. When I do this, I'm happy. When I can't or don't do this, I'm frustrated. I'm not impressed with people who use jargon. I am impressed with those who are clear, direct, and sometimes admit that what they have written is gobbledygook and needs to be reworked. (confession: I just had to look up the correct spelling of gobbledygook. I realized that I had never written that word in my entire life!)
As I began typing this post, I looked at the number in the title "Post 2 of 47." Good grief. This means that I must come up with 46 more posts until the end of this series. Still seems a bit daunting.
There are two ways that I approach being overwhelmed - the first is to say, the heck with this, I cannot take all this pressure, time to read something mindless, and wonder if the Cubs won today. In truth, that is neither the best or the most productive way to handle being overwhelmed. The other way I approach being overwhelmed is the far better way. I know that when things seem like big problems and I feel overwhelmed, then the way to deal with them is to break them up in little pieces, get some type of time-line to do them, see what is really necessary and then just start doing them one at a time. I do apply a few correctives along the way that I have learned over the years.
The first corrective to what is am doing is simple organizational wisdom: "there are no perfect solutions to practical problems." Saying this and realizing this helps me to calm down a little. The second corrective is just a little dose of humility. "Would the world go on if I did not complete this task perfectly?" Sadly and joyfully, the world usually would go on. The final corrective is intensely personal, but real: Will I feel a sense of peace, of quiet accomplishment, if I break this into parts and just do it? When my answer to this is Yes, then I am usually successful in attacking things that are overwhelming.
Where is all this going in Lent? Let's look at our Lenten resolutions. (If you don't have any, then make at least one.) Now get practical. How would you feel if you accomplished this during Lent? Are there any insurmountable obstacles to complete this? If so, modify them, don't torture yourself. Then write down the steps - and follow them, one at a time.
You may wisely observe that there does not seem to be anything spiritual about the above things. Well, true and not true. TRUE in the sense that there was nothing mentioned about God or God's plan or salvation or even Lent? But NOT TRUE in the obvious sense that God does work through nature, our salvation really comes about through our connections with others, and accomplishing worthwhile things can give us an abiding sense of joy.
This is what works for me. Maybe it is helpful for you.
Here is the point. Look at this jigsaw puzzle:
Is this your life? Sometimes, I think it is my life! At times, I realize that I have made things far too complicated - which actually goes against all my principles. Good hint. Just pick a piece or two. If you've taken care of that by the end of Lent - congratulations. And you won't be overwhelmed!
TODAY'S GRATITUDE - I am grateful for the times when I can make things simpler and clearer for other people - and even for me.