No sweat

There was a commercial that said "never let em see you sweat".

When I was in the Air Force my job was "emergency action controller". Basically I was trained by the United States military to stay calm in high stress situations.

The way we responded to situations set the tone for the entire base so it was very important for us to stay calm.

This is a good principle for our team as a church. When there is a situation, everyone is watching how we handle it. If there is a misspelled word, if someone sings the wrong words to the song, if a mic squeals, if a speaker blows, if a light burns out, if a kid takes off running while screaming, our reaction should always be the same - calm.

If we stay calm the people around us will feel like we have everything under control whether we really do or not.

My point: the perception everything is under control brings calm. When we overreact, others may freak out and make the situation even worse.

Overreacting is always a bad idea.

Clarity

What do u do when the things that normally bring clarity - don't?

Mon we were driving to Sandusky and my wipers were frozen so they weren't making the windshield any more clear. The thing that normally brings clarity wasn't working.

We were going to Sandusky for a retreat. Normally those type things help bring relaxation and clarity. I say normally because this time it didn't seem to "work".

I realized it wasn't the event or the lack of interruption or the quality family time that brought clarity. It is the connection to God that brings peace and clarity.

My point: the events create time to take a break from the normal day to day busy routine and that break allows me to reconnect to The Vine.

It's not a place, a thing or song that brings clarity - It's God. Those things may help u get in a place to hear from God but we can't make it about the things when it is clearly about The One.

How do u stay attached???

Just start

I have realized that stress leaves when you start.

When I have a lot on my "to do" list, I start feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Yesterday I started a few of the bigger things that need done and immediately it took the power away from the stress.

When I sit and worry or complain about all there is to do or how busy I am, I am in a defenseless - victim posture. When I make a plan to handle all the projects, the stress is lessened but when I start them the stress is pretty much gone.

I find I only get stressed or overwhelmed when I don't have a plan or haven't started.

My point: no one manages your time but you. Other people may want to or think they do but you ultimately stay in control of your time or you give it away. When I look at people as an interruption, I can get stressed but when I look at them as a worthy investment of my time - I choose to make them a priority over my task list.

I am in control of my time - PERIOD!

Take away the stress of the task by starting. What is the one thing that is stressing you out - make a plan and start it. Let me know how that works for you.