Half Full

I will not talk about stress. I will NOT talk about stress. I will relax. I will calm down. I will be fine. Deep breath in. 2. 3. 4. Deep breath out. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength. Deep breath in. 2. 3. 4. Deep breath out. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Ever have one of those days? Having one right now? Go back and read that calming exercise again. Maybe two or three times. That’s what I had to do.

But, I did make a commitment a few days ago to stop talking about how stressed I am because it wasn’t helping me at all. So, let us talk about something else; let’s focus on the positives. I’m even gonna make a list. Why? Because I like lists and because I’m the boss.

Reasons to not hate everything right now:

1.  I’m alive. ‘nough said. Moving on.
2. I go to a kick-butt college with really great opportunities for me
1. I’ve got an opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic this May on a scholarship. While there, I would get to experience a new culture and serve in several different ways! I love serving so much and this would be such an awesome experience to do something I love while growing at the same time!
2. I’ve got an opportunity to be part of a summer research program in New Mexico. This opportunity would give me the chance to work on mathematical research and grow in my problem solving, communication, and mathematical modeling skills. I would also get to work with other equally excited students and professionals! (Granted, that probably sounds really nerdy, but you have NO idea how excited I am!!)
3. I get to be richly involved in the mathematics department, computer science department, and music departments at the same time. Yes, there is stress involved, but I am so richly blessed to go to a college where I can really do so much. I was reminded today of another college I visited that told me I would have to pick between all of my interests. At the college I am in, I don’t have to. 🙂
3. I have a family that loves me like crazy.
4. I have some truly amazing friends that have my back regardless of my situation.
5. God Loves me and He is on my side. Nothing can really out-compete this point. I mean, regardless of what I’m going through, God is fighting in my corner. I love the VeggieTales Song “God is bigger than the Boogie Man”. It’s kind of corny, but it’s so true. Whether it’s stress, or sickness, or relationship issues, God is way bigger than anything we face.

So, why did I just list off a bunch of things that are spectacular about my life? Was it to make you feel terrible about yourselves and remind you of my superiority? No. Absolutely not. I did this for a few reasons. Number one, because it really helped me get some perspective and remember that my life is not all bad and that I’m not alone. Number two, to maybe give you an example of what thinking positive actually looks like. I try to be as tangible and down to earth as possible instead of preaching mysterious phrasings which sound very deep and theological but are difficult to implement because of the lack of understanding.

So there is my example of looking at the glass half-full. Believe it or not, for a very long period of my life, I was extremely pessimistic. I found the negative in every single situation. Luckily, I’ve got amazing parents that wouldn’t let me get away with that. Through a lot of discipline and instruction and practice, I’ve learned how to alter the patterns of my mind and begin to see the positive in situations. I say this so that you know it is possible to change your behavior or even your thoughts. I’ve been there and if I (the crazy math nerd from the Midwest) can do it, you can do it.

Praying for you!
Best of luck in the real world and God Bless,
-Christopher