To live life abundantly

People this time of year get down of things that are going on or in general just dwell on the negative.

I've explained this to several people this week: When you have been that person that has had to face so many disclaimers of death and doom, you get to a point where dwelling on the negative is worthless.  And I think God would agree.

Due to a birth defect, I wasn't supposed to live to adulthood, but with God directing my treatment and my doctors, I am thriving through life.  All surgeries come with the disclaimer of "This surgery could cause death" and I've been through 6 in my lifetime.  Even coming home from Europe every time has required me to file an emergency contact with the airlines, per US International Flight regulations, in case my flight doesn't make it.  I would say that death has been flown in my face enough for me to go "Who cares!"

So, I've been taught to live life and live it abundantly, and it pains me when people live in a fashion where they are absorbed with self-pity, tons of guilt or fear.  Why bother?  Isn't there something better awaiting you? 

You don't have to go skydiving, bridge jumping, or base jumping.  You certainly don't have to tempt fate to cause death, but you shouldn't fear what you've either been called to do or invited to do.

I have a friend who was kidnapped by her friends for her birthday and taken skydiving.  Though there were some really odd stories for the drop back to planet, she wasn't going to freak out and thoroughly not go through with it.  She said she would do it again if someone invited her.

The world isn't going to break if you step outside of your "norm."  Have some fun, live life as God intended. 

One of my guy friends isn't quite sure what to do with himself after something corrective has been said, and he dwells on it for so long after the fact, but I told him "I'm merely pointing something out, I'm not flogging you because something happened.  I'm merely showing you how to take care of the issue, and then go on with your day."  Life is WAY too short to focus on the negative, the guilt and the pain. 

Trust me, if I focused on self guilt or pity, I would never leave my house.  Rather, I want to get out an enjoy life, and I continue to do so.  I see no reason to continue to wallow in guilt, shame or pity.

You sincerely need to make your life what it is, I can't make that happen for you but I do know that God wouldn't want us to wallow in life.  Though Jesus didn't go white water rafting or skydiving, it doesn't mean that we can't.  Though following Jesus' path includes the cross, he's already been there for us.  Leave it there, and continue on with life.  You will gain nothing if you maintain the pity, shame and guilt.