March 15, 2011
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Faithful (or Fateful?) Attraction
I read something today to the effect that people can tell a lot about the type of leader one is by whether s/he attracts positive or negative people. I thought about that for a good while, mulling it over in my head and thinking about the profound truth contained in those few words.
I think back to a time not so long ago when a good number of the people I associated with on a regular basis were very negative people who kept negativity stirred up constantly, and it affected my family and me in some pretty unsettling ways. I didn’t realize it while these people were being pruned from my life, but when I read that statement today, suddenly it all made sense.
I really had to take stock of how I had allowed myself to fall into such a deep pit of negativity. Had I just allowed it, or had I invited it? It didn’t just happen overnight, and I do remember occasions when I knew I was saying something displeasing to God and I didn’t heed His voice. Yes, that is how it happened. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. It was my own depravity and neglect and disobedience, plain and simple.
Thankfully, there is His grace, always available and always complete when we repent and turn back to Him. I am grateful beyond description for that.
It’s kind of amazing how much lighter I have felt over the past couple of months. And I know it isn’t just because there are fewer negative people in my life, either. No, reading One Thousand Gifts has brought some pretty significant change for me. I don’t remember any other book that I finished and wanted nothing more than to start back at chapter one and read the whole thing through again right then.
By contrast, the people I’ve been creating and building friendships with lately are some of the most lovely people I’ve ever met, most of them bloggers I’ve met through the Bloom Book Club study of OTG. What beautiful ladies, these, precious and treasured already.
Comments (2)
Dear Lisa,
You don’t drop by my “place” often. I know you never really have, even though you’re the one who introduced me to Xanga. However, You know there will always be times when I search you out.
I’m in “full blogging mode” (which means I’m being creative). So I’m reconnecting again, separating the wheat from the chaff, etc. I can’t believe I’ve been on Xanga for almost seven years. I’ve been an “internet presence” for over a decade.
I read a few of these entries. I am glad you are finding your “writer’s voice” again. (I just posted a rare fictional short story on my blog, in case you’re interested.) I always found your poetry to be personal yet universal, the kind of poetry I most enjoy reading. I’ve also enjoyed following your story as you’ve lived it for the last seven or ten years. (We were in a couple of poetry groups back on Yahoo if memory serves.)
I am always thinking about leadership at work. Mainly because as soon as my panel shop, which I sort of “created” and nurtured, became the “tail that wagged the dog”, it was ripped from me and an “engineer” was hired to be my “supervisor.” Sometimes I feel like this guy is just using me as a secretary. (For instance, the other day he called from his cell on the road, and asked the receptionist to ask ME to call the company he was about to visit to tell them he was on his way….He didn’t call himself. He didn’t ask the receptionist to do it…..It had to be me….weird. The guy I hired for production many years ago plays games with me, since now he’s an “equal” and sometimes I feel like I get “used.” It isn’t “negativity” per se, but the lack of communication in a company with only 16 employees is dismal to experience.
I guess it’s good that in 8 years or so I’m going to retire!
As usual, I love the music you choose as your background. And your spiritual side never leaves you. This is wonderfully special.
May God be with you in your days, and may he comfort your nights. We don’t correspond often, and you usually visit me only after I visit you here on Xanga, which is the total opposite of how I usually operate. (I maintain that I only visit blogs from comments I receive.)
Well, I was on “top blogs” in the number one spot again today. It seems I can summon this up whenever I wish. And it always makes me feel special and loved. And I always want to thank you for this because I’d never have established a blog here without your invitation.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
@baldmike2004 -
Dear Mike, I apologize for seeming like such a sporadic visitor. I’ve been in full blogging mode lately, too, mostly blogging at http://www.writepraylove.com and http://www.momentsfullyalive.blogspot.com (my thoughts on Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts), so I haven’t been blogging very much here at Xanga. I do still consider this my haven for letting my hair down, however.
How frustrating that must be for you in your work situation. I understand what you mean about the communication thing. It’s a simple matter of respect and not feeling manipulated. You deserve being spoken to and treated with common courtesy at the very least.
The last time I tried to express myself about the poetry thing I think I failed abysmally, so I’m hesitant to try again. I should probably just leave it at being deeply appreciative of your compliments, since as always they mean a great deal to me because I respect your literary opinion more than I can adequately express. Your description of my poetry is truly one of the most encouraging compliments I’ve ever received, and right now being a time when I have been feeling somewhat invisible in my writing endeavors, your kindness comes at a very good time.
My spirituality is with me always, infused into everything I write. It makes me smile that you find that “wonderfully special”.
I would like to pop over and check out your story. I ask your forgiveness for not being more attentive to your work. To be honest, it’s a bit painful to do so, for reasons I have outlined before and won’t rehash. It means something to me that you do seek me out, especially since that isn’t your m.o.
Love,
Blue