I can hardly believe that I have completed 5 months at Shelterwood! It's incredible how time slips by, and even more incredible how quick;y things can change during that time. Since being in Missouri I have worked roughly 1,600 hours and those hours have taught me more than I can ever have thought possible.
Today I'm going to share three "rules" that I have implemented to my life after having been at Shelterwood. These rules were either developed here, or were being implemented before coming here and then solidified through processing over the course of my stay.
Let us begin!
Rule #1! "Be flexible and be firm"-- Life comes with twist and turns. I hate it when my plans change, but they do change and it's up to me to determine how I'm going to respond to disruptions and changes. So when things are thrown off balance, you gotta learn to roll with the punches. There are, however, when you have to say "no, I can't do that. I have to stay healthy"
Flexibility is great and it is helpful for your life and the lives of those around you, but if you are too flexible you are going to end up neglecting yourself and being walked over. Recognize what you can do within reasonable and healthy boundaries and stay within those boundaries.
Rule #2! "Give more than ya take"--The world around you is bleeding out from hunger, thirst, pain, neglect, and much, much more! People need people! While this rule may more often apply to the material, it also applies to the emotional and the spiritual! Give to others even when they don't give to you. Love the unloving, forgive the unforgiving, and when seek to pour out yourself more than you seek for others to be poured out.
Rule #3! "Love yourself as much as you love others"--You are valuable. You have needs and desires. Do NOT belittle yourself or lose sight of your own needs for the sake of helping others get their's fulfilled. It is great to help others and to love others, but if you do not love yourself then you will neglect yourself and then become unhealthy and less effective. To love others well and to take care of them demands that you take care of yourself, and the only way you can do that is be applying a healthy and Christ-filled dose of self-love.
While there are other rules and policies that I have implemented and/or developed, these three were the ones that most stood out to me for my time here.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
Today I'm going to share three "rules" that I have implemented to my life after having been at Shelterwood. These rules were either developed here, or were being implemented before coming here and then solidified through processing over the course of my stay.
Let us begin!
Rule #1! "Be flexible and be firm"-- Life comes with twist and turns. I hate it when my plans change, but they do change and it's up to me to determine how I'm going to respond to disruptions and changes. So when things are thrown off balance, you gotta learn to roll with the punches. There are, however, when you have to say "no, I can't do that. I have to stay healthy"
Flexibility is great and it is helpful for your life and the lives of those around you, but if you are too flexible you are going to end up neglecting yourself and being walked over. Recognize what you can do within reasonable and healthy boundaries and stay within those boundaries.
Rule #2! "Give more than ya take"--The world around you is bleeding out from hunger, thirst, pain, neglect, and much, much more! People need people! While this rule may more often apply to the material, it also applies to the emotional and the spiritual! Give to others even when they don't give to you. Love the unloving, forgive the unforgiving, and when seek to pour out yourself more than you seek for others to be poured out.
Rule #3! "Love yourself as much as you love others"--You are valuable. You have needs and desires. Do NOT belittle yourself or lose sight of your own needs for the sake of helping others get their's fulfilled. It is great to help others and to love others, but if you do not love yourself then you will neglect yourself and then become unhealthy and less effective. To love others well and to take care of them demands that you take care of yourself, and the only way you can do that is be applying a healthy and Christ-filled dose of self-love.
While there are other rules and policies that I have implemented and/or developed, these three were the ones that most stood out to me for my time here.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
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