Gonna Make A Change

So, what am I going to do about this stress issue? How will I change my daily life so once a year my hair doesn't fall out by the handful or my immune system doesn't completely shutdown on me?

First on the list is giving it to God. 

I used to live this life where I handed things over to Christ when I felt stressed or realized I was trying to control things that I shouldn't.  Sure, I have broad shoulders-thanks to my years of swimming, but they are not meant to carry the weight of the world, which is what I usually ask them to do. Time to go back to living like that. Not sure how I got away from it, but it has not been serving me well.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.…Matthew 11:28-29

Second, I'm putting down roots.

I don't know the last time I lived somewhere knowing that's where I was planning on being even just 12 months later. When I moved to Chicago 8 years ago, I believed I'd be there for one year. I thought I'd meet Pin Stripe Suit Man...you know, the tall, dark and handsome, wildly successfully business man who would sweep me off my feet, marry me and move us back home--to my home, in Washington where we'd have kids and live happily ever after. 

Yeah...well, that didn't happen.

Each year I lived there, I'd say, "ok, Lins, you're still here, no problem, it's cool, but you aren't going to be here forever." So, I never put down roots. I never settled in. The apartment I came to love still felt more like a holding pen than a home.


When I left Chicago 15 months ago, I definitely didn't put down roots. I spent 3 months in Arkansas, most of which I traveled, including a week in Haiti. I then moved back home
to Washington and told myself, and anyone who would listen, that I wasn't staying long. I got a job, found a church and made friends, but never planned on staying. So, after 9 months, I moved to California. 

Well, 3 months later, I'm back home. At mom's. Sleeping in my high school bedroom in the basement. 

But this time is different. I plan on staying. Not in mom's basement, but in Washington. I'm telling myself that this time is different. I don't need to scramble to see everyone ever single week. There's plenty of time, because I'm going to be here long-term. Getting plugged in at church and with volunteer opportunities is top priority because...I'm going to be here. Working on figuring out a career instead of just getting by week to week is a necessity. 

Instead of treading water and trying to figure out what's next, I'm going to try settling in, getting comfy and relaxing a little. I'm here to stay...