Gaining a clearer perspective: the root of my problems

Photo by Bud Helisson on Unsplash.

For five days, I scoured boxes and bags for a favorite pair of glasses. I became convinced I lost them during our recent move. Negative thoughts berated my carelessness. I recalled my Bible devotion on the fifth morning, which spoke of areas in our lives we avoid identifying as the root of our…[read more]

I’ll do anything but ‘that’: the avoidance trap

Is it just me, or does anyone else struggle with this problem: You need to do something, but you find every excuse to do anything but “that”? Case in point: Right now, I should be fleshing out a story concept based on an idea I’ve toyed with for months. But, instead, I’m writing a blog post scheduled a week away. Is it because avoidance oftentimes rears its ugly head when the going gets a little sticky? Years ago, a colleague-turned friend advised me to prioritize by first tackling items that can be dealt with quickly. Maybe that’s one reason I circle around the thing that proves most challenging or intimidating. Like Finding Nemo’s Dora, who tries in vain to focus on the difficult task in front of her, I allow anything shiny to become a distraction of epic proportions. For example: I will not take another workshop until I finalize my story concept… oh look, that weeklong workshop is free!  

What thing do you avoid at all costs?

Image courtesy of Surachai at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.