Firstly, one of the speakers quoted the Lion King (got to love Disney quotes). It was from the scene when Simba his having his little heart to heart chat with Mufasa thanks to the guidance of the crazy baboon, Rafiki. Mufasa gives a gem of advice (in the dark tones of James Earl Jones):
"You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me... Look inside yourself... you are more than what you have become."
There are definitely moments in my life where I lose sight of the goal--my eternal destiny. And it's in these moments that, though I might not forget the Lord, He is more of a thought in the back of my mind. A back up plan, almost, if you will. Yes, I realize this is a terrible mindset but I'm only human and am working on it.
With that in mind, I present to you my second thought.
We cannot just wait for change to come--we need to actively pursue change. Embrace it. In essence, carpe diem!
Yes, you probably guessed it. I find this applies to quite a few things in my life but the one most prevalent in my mind is the depression. I have discovered over these past two years of awareness that it isn't something that will just go away. That will just change if I ignore it long enough or wish for it to leave.
Taking my prescription as well as facing life every day is something I have to stay on top of. Perhaps it's to teach me discipline for some other trial that is yet to come. Maybe it is so I can help my future child beat back their own depression by feeling a deeper understanding of the pain and difficulty that comes with the burden. I'm sure, just I have done in multiple cases, they'll probably say I don't understand--but I am glad I will at least know how to speak with them. How to encourage them without smothering then or getting in the way of their own self-discovery and growth.
Another portion of my life that this active pursuit of change relates to is my personal health. I have always been pretty lazy, frankly, and it is starting to drag me down. Not only in the case of my personal view of my body but something tells me that constant fatigue isn't something I should be battling at the age of 24. So I have been working on re-learning how to take care of my body. There are still things I want to accomplish and they will only be in reach if I work towards better health of both body and spirit.
I have a long way to go and some days are definitely harder than others. But I will actively pursue the changes that need to happen with me and remember the Lord as I stride forward into this next phase of my life.
I am more than what I have become thus far.
Don't be daunted by the possibility of greatness, of happiness. Keep moving forward and when you need help, ask. When you see someone in need, help. If you see something that needs to be done, do.
