Living The Dream

In an attempt to be more focused on the positive and not dragged down by petty annoyances of life.  I give you this picture.

A cluttered desk full of assignments, to-do lists, deadlines, and requirements. At first glance, it would be easy to say, "Man, what a busy, chaotic life." Honestly, when I looked at it I felt overwhelmed. I knew what I needed to accomplish a synthesis paper, a grammar quiz, a theatre quiz, textbook notes, class scheduling, job searching, and a stack of reading material. I felt overwhelmed. The homework doesn't bother me so much, for the most part, I enjoy studying, taking notes and learning. It was the "what if's" that were messing with my head. What if  I can't get a job for next quarter, What if I can't get into the classes I need, What if that requirement falls through, What if I waste my life. Now that last one was a bit dramatic, but you get the idea. Then I go from the What if's floating in my head to the minor things of life. Day to day things happen good or bad. The class was hard, the teacher talked too fast, missed that assignment, spilled my coffee, food was gross, have a headache, forgot my pen wrote notes in highlighter. You get the gist.

Table read for DISTRACTED

 But, why? Why do I let this stuff take over and consume me? That's not who I am, I am a Princess to God who wants to take on my burdens, govern my life and bless me. IF I honor Him and seek Him. IF I come to Him with my problems. Cast my cares on Him and truly let go think of the freeing feeling I would have. IF I let God truly run every aspect of my life, how much more could I do? God can do it so much better than me. Where would He take me? How would He use me? What amazing life could I have in Him?
Which brings me to the topic of this blog. I am living the dream. I am at my #1 college pick, working on my major in my dream field. Getting amazing experiences, I am in a student production, I am seeing amazing shows and getting unique opportunities. Why? Because God brought me here. He has a reason for me being at Central. I trusted Him to get me here, Why am I not trusting Him to guide me here?
 So.....I am going to STOP, BREATHE and PRAY! Take it, God! Take it ALL, the anxiety, the worry, the doubt, the tiredness, the troubles, the helplessness, whatever is stealing my joy and peace I can find in you. Because I am living the dream.
Not because I am doing all these amazing adventures. But because I have a family who loves and supports me, I have friends who will hear out my problems, because I am ALIVE in Christ. I know if I give God the what I have He will bless me. I don't want a half-lived life, I want to live life to the fullest. Without complaining and whining about matters that at the end of the day are trivial.

Barge Hall because one cannot have
enough pictures of this building 

Why waste time being unhappy? Because when I take time to really analyze my life the blessings in my life outweigh whatever is trying to weigh me down.
 Look at the top picture again, with a new lense this is what I see. I see the opportunity to grow in the knowledge that is specific to my career goal. I get to pursue my dream job, work in an area that I am passionate about every day. Here is a game I try to play with myself in an effort to be more positive. Example. a class is changed from 9am to 8:30am. A prime opportunity to complain and create excuses for why "my life is so horrible" *insert extremely pathetic voice*  Instead, respond with "Hey, I get out an hour early!" Another example is not doing well on an assignment, as hard as it may be, to look at it as a learning experience. Not doing well doesn't mean you are a bad person, you just have room to grow. This is the hardest area for me to change my thinking. My last example for this game is, I have lots of homework instead of lamenting how much Netflix I won't be able to watch, look at it as "I am going to learn so much tonight."
 As for that busy schedule, I am trying to look at it as adventures and experiences that I get to enjoy. Now is a special time in my life. I am single, on my own with limited responsibilities. As much as I might want to pursue a relationship at some point in my life. Now is the time I can figure out who Erika is. ( Despite the blog name I have no idea who she is, I am reading to find out alongside the rest of ya) I could travel, explore different areas of the world, learn new skills. Most importantly be extremely flexible to answer God's will. If I shut up and listen.
What about those What If's? They don't bother me anymore, (at least we are working on it) because God's got His hand on me and He's not letting go. I have to put it in perspective, God won't give me more than I can handle and if the birds don't have to worry about tomorrow. why should I?
My advice to you if your feeling stressed about the upcoming holiday season, school, work or whatever else is hanging over your head ready to cripple you. Remember your living the dream. Whatever that may be for you? Life is amazing!