Proactive vs. Reactive
We live our lives on the cusp of fate…waiting for someone / something to ruffle our feathers! Yet the opportunity always exists for us to gain an edge and be on top of our game. For this gift we will give up something… the comfort of relaxation.
I’ve lived a great portion of my life waiting for something spontaneous to happen! “Will I get a job today?” “Will I be picked next on the soccer team? Will he choose me to be his wife? While life was passing me by, I realize the consequence of JUST being reactive!
Yesterday, I shared with a friend that I missed watching “Amen” The 1986 sitcom was centered around a church deacon, Deacon Fry (Sherman Hemsley) , his daughter, Thelma (Ana Marie Horsford) and Rev. Gregory (Clifton Davis).
What stood out to me most about the show was Thelma Fry’s undying pursuit and interest in Rev. Gregory. Though he denied her request many, many, many times she did not give up! After many seasons of denial, Rev. Gregory could not deny that Thelma was going to be a strong force in his life — no matter what and her love and pursuit of him would not cease. She was proactive. She GOT what she wanted…no matter how long it took!
In doing a bit of research, I found nearly 70% of the world population is reactive, while 30% of the population is proactive!
Pro-Active vs. Re-Active E-How author Grant McKenzie, defines the action of proactivity as planning ahead and anticipating problems. Whereas, being reactive means waiting for problems to appear before addressing them. She outlined the pros & cons of each.
PROS :”Being proactive can help eliminate problems before they appear and can make execution of your tasks more efficient. Being reactive can simplify the planning process, allowing you to act faster.” CONS: “Being proactive lengthens the planning process and can lead to overplanning as all potential options are analyzed. Being reactive can lead to unforeseen problems in execution that may require extensive time and effort to solve or correct.”
Most experts believe and teach the practice of balancing both worlds, “the importance of being proactive while maintaining a willingness to act. A balance of proper planning and effective execution is required for success.”
I also came across a great article on HubPages that talked about this subject from a biblical perspective. The author discusses his personal life and actions in relation to the change he had to undergo in order to be proactive! It is NOT an easy process! Believe me! He also shared about the extensive lengths God has gone to make sure we get the message! Prophets, Christ, His Word, Messengers (like us!) and spiritual confirmation. Amazing!
At the end of the day, you can’t plan for everything, but if you create a workable plan that gives structure and direction, while also leaving room for life’s surprises …things just might turn out okay!
Are you ready to do what it takes to be proactive (with a reactive backup) …today?
Sherita
Move Beyond You To Be YOU!
What are you willing to risk to become YOU?
- Be You! Burlesque
This weekend I had a chance to see “Burlesque,” with Cher and Christina Aguilera. Needless to say the movie was awesome and sexy. At the same time, the movie spoke volumes about breaking beyond yourself to become yourself and live your purpose. When asked why Christina came from Iowa to New York City she said,
“I didn’t see anyone in that town who’s life I wanted.”
When you arrive to a place in your life where ONLY purpose matters…you will have to leave your current existence behind to create the life you know you are destined to have. You might have to get up and go to a land you are not familiar with! You will be scared! You will be hesitant and apprehensive — but GO! There is a family of people who have what you need to make it to the next level!
Christina saw her dream and pursued it like a lost lover. Pushing past severe roadblocks and LOADS of no’s ….she kept going and became her Destiny! Some may believe that this is just a movie meant for the characters on the screen. Yet, if you look closer you will see yourself and your hearts desire calling your name! The road to you will NOT be easy but very worth it! Keep going! You are bound to win!
Beyond Our Differences- The Documentary
“Beyond our differences, we are people of FAITH,” Beyond Our Differences
“We have the same goal and the same message to create a better human being,” The Dalai Lama.
At a time where we are all questioning who God is and what is his ultimate plan for humanity, in our search we always try to validate our thoughts and feelings. Raised a Christian, I always thought it was unfair that God would only limit his love, peace and grace to those who would accept him by being “saved.” As a little girl, I would always ask my mother….”so what would happen if someone is a foreign land never had a chance to hear about God — they would never have a chance to be saved.” Growing up, I thought about my position and I needed a more valid answer outside of what I was getting. Today, I found the answer to my question — God is bigger than my box.
God is love. God is patient. God is understanding. God is grace. God is accountability. God is hope. God is faith. God is respect. God is around us. God is IN us. God IS.
Watch this movie. Buy this movie. Share this movie with a friend. Clarity will surly come. www.beyondourdifferences.com
Starving
Photo Courtesy of Teachmychildrenwell.com
This morning I woke up hungry and ready to eat. As I slowly approached the refrigerator the reality of what my options were made my stomach growl even louder. I had three boxes of cereal with no milk. My mind began to search for heftier options like scrambled eggs, toast, hash browns and a tall glass of orange juice. I knew this would be a meal that would surely satisfy my hunger. Yet, reality shook my fantasy again and said No! None of those options were available. I faced the truth that this morning I would unintentionally fast. Slipping into a new line of thinking, I begin to see how this physical manifestation of “starvation,” was a forecast of what has been happening in my life holistically.
In essence, I am broke(n). The moment of manifested starvation, made me realize I had nothing to offer myself. My resources were low and there was no one around to “carry my load.” Sure, I could have borrowed food from my neighbor, visited a local food pantry, or even scrapped up a couple bucks and went grocery shopping. All of these options would have sufficed. Yet, in the same rite I would have momentarily satisfied my hunger only to be left reeling with the same options of nothingness in the morning.
When you are starving in life, where do you turn? What are your options? So often, I have turned to “fast food” options to satisfy insatiable hungers. These quick fix “fast food” options of life are called distractions.
“Distraction: the illusory expectation of some fulfillment, which in the end is only human loneliness,” A Year with Thomas Merton, Johnathan Montaldo.
Life distractions come in the form of doing insignificant things to past time, drinking, taking drugs, having excessive sex, gossiping on the phone about other people, shopping in debt, overspending, etc. At what point in life do you decide you are not going to starve anymore? When you loose your job? When you husband/wife leaves you? When your kids push you to the side? When your boss says you are not worthy enough? When your mother/father dies? When do you come to a breaking point of saying enough is enough?
I came to my breaking point this morning when I realized I needed more than a quick fix for the day. I choose to wake up every morning and have the option to “cook and eat” whatever I want. In times past, what has satisfied my hungers most is sitting in quite solitude, talking to God and resting in his request. When I let the worries of the world flow out of my mind and just be myself, things seemed to be much easier. More and more I am leaning toward that hefty serving everyday. Maybe tomorrow’s meal options will be more satisfying.
What are you hungry for today?
Not About Me!
Photo courtesy of Noweia.co.uk
My journey is not about me. I have experienced it. I have lived it. I have endured it. All of these statements hold truth to them, yet today I came to the reality that my life is greater than me. I am one of millions of people on this earth who have endured countless trials. The truth is we all suffer. Yet, our depth of suffering must never be used to highlight our vainglory. Instead, it must shared and imparted to those who NEED to believe in something greater than their circumstances.
Everyday, God is creatively finding ways to show is greatness among mankind. We are a simpleminded people and at times we don’t get the hint the first time around. We get inspired. A voice within tells us to write the book – do the seminar – talk to the CEO at that major company. Something within us freezes. We hold back out of fear — mentally asking ourselves sabotagging questions: Am I good enough? Am I prepared enough? Am I qualified enough? Do I have what it takes to make it? When you take the spotlight off of you — a human being that is simply created to be imperfect — “out of no where” God throws His hands in the mix and things turn out much better than anticipated and you are past where you need to be.
Get past yourself! Know that whatever you are doing in this moment is meant to happen and there are people nationwide who are going to be impacted by the choices you make today. Decide to become a person who is focused on using your life to show how extraordinary the God of the Universe can be. Don’t get stuck in technicalities and analysis paralysis. Say to yourself today — it’s not about me! Yet, it is all about me….Because You Can (Do all things with God)!
Love — No Limit
Try to love with no limit — it is life changing and possible.
I am at rest and I no longer struggle with the concept of love, yet its intricate nature continues to boggle me. We love our friends. We love our family. We love our children. We love our soul mates. We love our co-workers and bosses (well sometimes). We love to do things we have a passion for. With love surrounding us at every turn, why do we put a limit on something that is indefinately limitless.
Recently, I had a friend whom I loved very dearly. Both professional and personal interactions were at its best with this person and I believed the connection would last a lifetime. After a small disagreement, the bond of love and friendship I believed would last a lifetime ended in a simple whimper. In that moment, I realized that pain was love and love was pain. To truly experience love with no limit, we have to open ourselves to vunerablities that would make us face reality and embrace the truth. The truth is — someone we love will leave us, whether in natural separation or death. In that mindset, when we gravitate to the concept that true love is endless and it is manifested everytime you smile, say thank you, hold your lover’s hand, send flowers to a grieving friend, etc …we are giving love with no limit. We are realizing that love will be defined not by what someone did for us, but in the moments we shared and the lessons we learned.
Life is unfolding in front of our eyes. Grab onto the gift that is given to you everyday — yourself and the person in your life who loves you with no limit. Now in that thought …even God is smiling.
Get Out!
Time is wasted when you sit around and wonder what is going to happen next. Throw yourself into the world and allow everything you have inside of you to be manifested. Get out and explore the possibility of you.
