Fundamentals.
Back to basics.
No matter how far you progress in any area of life, fundamentals will always be key.
A recent shift in employment and a misunderstanding with a friend sent me down a path of questioning things that I'm usually very sure of.
This is not the first time I’ve faced challenging situations. I've experienced something like this often enough in the past that I now know if I allow it to continue, a spiral will begin. Sometimes, I don't notice it until I'm mid-spiral. Thankfully, this was one of those times where I caught myself, and I went back to basics.
Asking God for an "anchoring thought" is something a friend and mentor of mine taught me years ago. The beauty of anchoring thoughts is that they are usually simple, easy to remember, and are grounding or help to make me feel as though I have something safe and solid to hold onto when things around me feel shaky or unsteady. After the initial thought comes to mind, I then repeat it to myself throughout the day (or several days) at moments when I begin to feel untethered again.
Usually, a thought immediately comes to mind when I ask God for an anchoring thought, but this time, God put a slightly different spin on things for me. Rather than an anchoring thought coming to mind, my imagination formed images of kites flying.
Okay. I thought. I'll go with it. Why kites, God? What are you showing me?
The more I allowed the images to play out in my imagination, the more I realized the simple beauty behind the design of a kite and the fun of flying one. The kite can do all it can do partly because of its design but also partly because it remains tethered or anchored to something. A person holds the kite string allowing the kite the freedom to swoop and dive and do all the wonderful things it's designed to do. Without the anchor AND the flexibility of movement, flying a kite wouldn’t be any fun!
Similarly, an anchor on a boat holds the boat steady but also allows for some movement. Not enough to take the boat off course but just enough movement that it’s not static or rigid. You can pull up the anchor, move to a different spot, explore new and different places, and still not go off course.
Each location is new and different, but the anchor doesn't change shape or form or function. You can pull up the anchor or drop the anchor in a variety of places - each new and different. But no matter how many times you use it and no matter how many different places you use it in, the anchor remains unchanged.
Asking God for an anchoring thought keeps me from going off course but still allows me the freedom to explore new and different things. The anchoring thoughts may even change from day to day, but the source of the thoughts - God, the anchor itself - remains unchanged.
A shift in employment has me doubting myself and my abilities…
Anchoring thought from God: Use the gifts and abilities I have given you in the way I'm asking you to use them, and you won't go wrong.
Misunderstanding between a friend and me has me questioning the strength of our relationship…
Anchoring thought from God: Assume positive intentions. Seek understanding.
Wake up and negative thoughts immediately flood my mind.
Anchoring thought from God: You are my child. I created this day for you. Look for me in it.
The days change. My circumstances change. The anchoring thoughts change.
The anchor remains the same.
I've been on this path with God for several years, but fundamentals will always be key.
Have questions about anchoring thoughts or anything else? Please feel free to send me an email or schedule some one-on-one time with me. And consider subscribing to my blog, where I post lots of helpful suggestions on how you can begin (and continue) this journey of recovering your blueprint!
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