Loving What You're Living

The topic du jour (or more aptly, it would seem, the topic du MY LIFE) is job satisfaction (or more aptly, it would see, life satisfaction). This seems to be popping up all over the place in my subconscious these days.

For example, I went on a little road trip (that was mega, mega fun) with a friend from college (who is actually more of a friend now than when we were at school... a definite shame that we missed out on so many good times). Anyhoodle, while we were tripping along, we were discussing the state of our lives--love lives to be specific, or lack of love lives to be brutally honest. We philosophized and sympathized and the thing I came away with was that this season of singleness in my life (which has been the cornerstone of my knowledgeable existence) is not, in fact, bad. I haven't (necessarily) done anything wrong, I'm not being punished, it's not as if I'm not deserving of a masculine mate. Rather, it's a chance to reflect on me--on Heather--on the wholeness of who I am and what really constitutes my identity. Not that I am just the other (much prettier) half of a couple, but that I am complete by myself because I have an intellect, emotions and will.

To get a little personal on you: I see my identity as being a co-heir with Christ. That's all I need. To pine for a "soul mate" (which isn't something that I even think philosophically exists) is just degrading to the sacrifice of Jesus.

So I was reminded of that.

And then I had a (virtual-ish) friend send an email to a group of people, talking about dissatisfaction with his job. Generalized frustration at the whole ball of wax that makes up his life. And there were responses sent by many in the group, promises of lifting him up in prayer (which I don't necessarily think were empty). But I sent him an email asking him why he was doing a job that he didn't like, and was not using his special "gifts" in another line of work.

And I ask myself that all the time.

How does one keep a balance on both honoring God by using unique attributes/gifts/talents, while also being content in every season, regardless of circumstance? Is it wrong to take a promotion or seek a different line of work? How do you make these decisions (not between good and bad, but between good and something else good)?

Being someone who doesn't believe in a specific will (blame it on the book Decision-Making in the Will of God), it gets to be tricky for me. If I'm within the moral will of God, how are these decisions made?

Then, another subconscious sign: Sabro's blog has a picture to the side that says, "Love What You Live." (Or something like that.) And it brings it up again. Do I love what I do? Do I do what I love?

What tips/tricks/advice do you have for balancing contentment and going for your dreams? Have you read any books or articles that were particularly inspiring? Do you have someone in your life who keeps you grounded while spurring you on to new heights? (If so, have you thanked them lately?)

I'll get us started: Perilous Pursuits by Joe Stowell was a fantastic book (that I need to read again). It went a long way toward getting me off the track of making decisions based on what I felt others wanted me to do. This was an important first step. (But I definitely need to re-read.) Now give me your suggestions in the comments.

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Yum, Yum

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Don't those donuts look delicious? Before running off to Krispy Kreme (which I did this weekend), take a look at some of the facts about fat that MSN is featuring today:

1. Depending on gender and how active they are, adults should eat 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day. U.S. agriculture now produces 3,900 calories of food per inhabitant per day. We should blame it on the farmers and ranchers--stop working so hard!

2. Liposuction is the only way to actually reduce the number of fat cells in your spare tire. Diet and exercise just shrink them. Unfortunately, if you resort to those bad behaviors that got you in the fat position to start with, you'll inflate your remaining fat cells (which aren't evenly distributed under your skin), and you'll get weird growths of fat (tumor-like bulges). Unsightly!

3. New Zealander Pete Bethune gave a whole new meaning to biofuel when he used his own fat, removed via liposuction, to power the world's fastest eco-boat. A way to solve the obesity epidemic and the fuel crisis?

4. Cutting saturated fat intake to the recommended 10 percent of your calories will prolong your life, but only by a few months at most, researchers found. And I think those last couple of months will be the crappy bed-ridden, adult-diaper-wearing months, so it's hardly worth it in the long run.

5. The brain is about 70 percent fat.

Read the entire article here. Then, if you're still interested in dieting and/or changing your eating habits, check out the "No S" Diet... my personal mantra (with the addition of No Super-Sizing).

April 1st

Can I just say that I think April Fool's Day is the worst day of the year? I've never actually been "pranked," but I just find the entire thing juvenile. Worst day... yep, even worse than the greeting card company-invented "Sweetest Day."

What Would Jesus Eat?

With the big-eating holidays near upon us, it's time to think, "What Would Jesus Eat?" A feature on MSN.com today discusses the pros and cons of faith-based dieting programs. Check out more in this video.

How about you? This holiday season will you be praying off the pounds or praying for forgiveness for overeating?

Re-Post: Wicked Cool Shoes

This post was originally put on the now defunct "What Was I Thinking?" blog on August 20, 2008. Reposted here for your enjoyment.


I know you're saying, "Those are awesome shoes, where can I get them?" These custom NPR Sneakers were featured on a bit on the radio this morning.

The company who makes these shoes is called RYZ. They allow customers to design shoes on their website, online voting for the best happens, and then the top shoe gets selected and sold in outlets around the country. The winning designer gets $1,000 and 1% royalties on the sale of the shoe.

You can check out the current designs and vote (voting for this round of competition ends today). I selected "No Thanks..." because (although there were a lot of awesome designs, art deco, pop-punk, etc.) I liked the idea of a shoe with a statement.


This story wasn't being told just to pimp this shoe manufacturer (which they totally deserve); rather, they were discussing this business model, which decreases design and marketing over-head, as one being adapted by other companies.

Business genius aside, if you were to design a custom sneaker for RYZ, what would it look like? Put your ideas in the comments (or better yet, make one on ryzwear.com and link to your creation). Also, comment on which of the current designs you did (or would) vote for.