Definition: An argument against something; an objection.
I know, I know this may seem like a really strange word to blog about BUT, please bear with me and let me explain! A few weeks ago a friend of mine said they had a very interesting Sunday school lesson on “How Big is Your BUT!” (Not butt…BUT BUT’S…LOL) The question really caught my attention. For those of you who know me personally I have always been a little self-conscience of my backend until JLo (Jennifer Lopez) came along and changed the perception of our world with regards to the shape of our body! I have learned to love mine and while recently taking some weight off love it even more. Oops sorry I sorta digressed.
My friend began to share how many times a day we may be asked to do something or perhaps we have written out our goals and desires and this little three letter word gets in our way. It begins to grow in our day to day activities and holding us back from the person and purpose God has intended for us to be. I have poured myself a cup of hot strong Earl Grey Tea and encourage you to do the same. We have a great conversation ahead because we are going to start peeling this apple down to get to the core reason why we love the word “BUT” and determine how big is our but?
Some of the most common BUT’S I hear are:
1) “BUT I really don’t have enough time.” – Well all I have to say, we each have the same 24 hours in a day, 40 hours in a week and 365 days in a year. To be honest extra time rarely just materialized out of thin air. We have to work for it. If you are looking for creative time, a time to exercise, a time for yourself I encourage you to put this as an appointment on your calendar just like you would any other appointment like the dentist, doctor or doing your taxes. YOU deserve it.
2) “BUT I am afraid of failure” – This one is a little I know! If we really push ourselves we fail more then we can succeed…sounds crazy BUT so true! The greatest failure is to never risk failure at all.”
3) “BUT I need to find balance in my home and work life” – Yes, this was a big goal of mine especially when my children were smaller and still living at home. To be completely honest it was a constant struggle and many times I lost focus on life itself. Being more in the future rather than in the moment. Don’t forget to embrace the now, pay attention to your gut and the little voice inside. Climbing the corporate ladder is important until your family, your health or who you really are begin to suffer.
4) “BUT I don’t know where to start”. That can be a problem BUT I say just start. Set small achievable goals and just do it. Let’s say we need to purge the closet or garage. I saw on Facebook a clever idea for those who celebrate Lent. It ran for 40 days…so they took a trash bag and added one article of clothing they didn’t want or need a day for 40 days then gave the bag away. I also like the 2 minute rule if it takes you less than 2 minutes to respond to an email or a task at hand then be like NIKE and “Just Do It”.
5) “BUT I have to plan everything first”. I can really relate to this one BUT the older I get the more I seem to be flying by the seat of my pants and having more fun. What happen to spontaneity? I think the last minute party or the time we just got in the car and started driving were so much more fun and the expectations were not as high than the weeks, months and all that energy we spent planning.
6) “BUT I need to do some research” Yes, doing your homework is important, especially when buying a big item or having home repairs done. Just don’t let it drag out where your project never gets done or that item never purchased.
7) “BUT I will do it tomorrow”. Famous last words….listen to you when you say that phrase…Reality check…”Tomorrow never comes!” We must do it today or at least by the next day or delegate it.
8) “BUT I love Playing the Blame Game!” – My boss, husband or wife won’t let me, my kids need this or that, and I am too old or too fat or too busy. How many times do we blame someone else or a situation from allowing ourselves to move forward? I say way too many.
9) “BUT I don’t have anyone supporting me” – Excuse me…there are so many support groups, charities, churches there really is no excuse for not having the support. You may have to find the right people aligned with your goal and vision…there are other people looking for you as much as you are looking for them. Unite to Ignite is my philosophy.
10) “BUT I can handle this” – this one hit hard, not asking for help or delegating tasks to someone else. We all need help at times. I personally am guilty of being the little red hen and doing many things myself when I am robbing someone else of the gift to give back.
Reading the word of God and staying in tune with him each day truly helps me to overcome the daily “BUTS” I encounter. Two verses that help are found in; Psalm 3:3 “BUT you Lord, are the shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts my head high.” And Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, BUT overcome evil with good.”
I have been a bit discouraged because I hadn’t posted a blog in a while and as I was “Takin Time Out” this week, I came up with several excuses why BUT I decided it wasn’t worth explaining, life happens and sometimes things do not go according to plan. Our BUTS truly can hold us back, they have become a wonderful excuse to put off, whine, and give up. As you look in the mirror tomorrow morning ask yourself “How big is your BUT?” What are you going to do to face the facts they are holding you back? If we recognize the pattern we fall into we can change them one BUT at a time. As we make the statement pause for a moment and change the negative “BUT” to a positive one, the I can’t to I can!
Until next time my friend as long as you keep making excuses and letting your “BIG OLE BUT” get in the way, it will never be and if you keep telling yourself you can’t, you won’t! , I have the privilege to go to work today, it’s a brand new day, the birds are chirping, the sun is shining and I am alive! Life is tough BUT so am I…it’s time to begin again…
