So long status quo

I initially entered the field of Emergency Services because around the age of 11, I was told I would be too short to lift anyone into an ambulance.  Really?  I think everyone has grown some since they were 11 years old.  I just didn’t grow much.  Haha!  This actually set a precedent in my life to prove others wrong.  Thing is, once I proved to myself I could do something, I soon became bored and ready to do something else.  (In truth, EMS is not boring, I loved working at 911 and volunteering as a medic, even though I left after 13 years.)  In the broad scheme of things, is it a bad thing to want to experience the next thing? To not remain and master something?  I think not, but the status quo would say otherwise.

I am no longer driven by the desire to prove others opinions, good or bad.  Why?  Because, I suppose, part of the aging process is to include maturation.  God defines me, not man.  In the Biblical terms, we are perfected for eternity by our life experiences.   I am still alive and kicking which means I am not ready for the other side of eternity.  God only knows when that will be.  Until then, what drives me is to simply experience life.

The status quo … that existing state of thought regarding social issues … likes to categorize us, label us.  Have you ever taken a personality test?  These were quite the thing at one time and you could find them in all sorts of social or team building events.  My favorite free test is from 16Personalities – an updated Myers Briggs platform that takes the flat MBTI and cubes it.  The cartoon representations are worth the time to answer all the questions.  Of course, if you took the time to take the test, then by all means, check out the corresponding MBTI heads I found on cppxlogcentral.com.

I find exploring such things to be interesting but not for the purpose of excusing my behavior.  Never use such things to shame others into making life easier.  Quite the opposite, the MBTI Stressor Heads encouraged me to be conscientious of my environment, change those things I had the power to do so, and to give grace and forgiveness for those things I could not change.

        

So I sing.  I sing songs that encourage me to let go of the negative stressors as temporal.  I sing songs that encourage me to be ready for what is good enough and settle for nothing less.  One of my favorite songs is “Brave” by Nicole Nordeman.  (Check it out on Spotify or YouTube)

This song is my go to song right before I have a job interview, lead a meeting, address a problem, etc.  It is a great confidence reminder, not to mention that getting some serious air drum play expends much pent up energy!

Who am I?  Just remember….the status quo does not define us!  We are not a group of letters…neither XX, 5’1, EMT-P, ADHD, nor INTP-A define who I am, where I was, or what I will become.

God defined us, wonderfully unique.  And He is continually working in our life to mold that unique, beautiful definition into His perfection.  Whether you believe in Him or not, He believes in you.  So let go and live.  Be brave with me:

• as I travel and see things I have not yet seen
• as I engage in the work that I have not yet tried
• as I listen to the stories of people I have not yet met
• as I read about the ideas of things I have not yet thought about

Joyfully, Sheila