15 Fundamentals » Unmanageability

You Are Not Alone

15fundamentals — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:30:46 +0000

Many people I speak with seem overwhelmed with the pace of life today. Trying to keep up with the “Jones’” has become a life draining experience for many of us. We are told that we have to have the finest clothes and best cars. We have to have all of the newest gadgets and gizmos. If we don’t chase after these material illusions, we are made to feel inferior. You may even be thought of as second-class citizens.

It’s amazing to see how deep these thoughts run. Even many spiritual leaders, those we should be looking up to for strength and guidance, chase after these things. I’m sure many of them don’t even realize the trap they have fallen into. I am shocked at how many religious or spiritual leaders spend a large amount of time speaking about the big house, nice car and lots of money.

So what do we do? We work! Chasing after more stuff. When we get more stuff… we want more stuff!!! It is a never-ending merry-go-round that leads to broken friendships, marriages and families. In pursuit of this quest for more, it is easy to cut corners. We work more hours, planning to spend more time with the people who matter most to us next week. Next week comes and goes and we keep right on working; ignoring the most important parts of our life.

We all (or most of us anyways) want out of this cycle. A good place to begin is through the practice of The 15 Fundamentals. Make these principles the guiding rules for how you conduct yourself and you will soon find that there is a way out of this trap, if you want it and are willing to practice these 15 simple truths.

Unmanageability Leads To Fulfillment

15fundamentals — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:33:06 +0000

It is no secret that life is becoming more and more complex. There was a time when many social scientists believed that technology was going to help us lead better, simpler, more fulfilled lives. Well, a walk down any street or through any shopping mall in the world will prove otherwise. Technology has made things more hectic rather than less.

I’m not here to say that technology is bad. I am saying that technology used wrongly is bad. As I write this I think of the person who is always on their cell phone, speeding down the road, drinking their gallon-sized coffee. I’m also reminded of the “advancements” in modern medicine. People going to see a doctor, trusting in technology and science, and ending up in worst shape.

That is not the way life was meant to be lived. We were not put on this earth to live a stress-filled life only to die 20 years to soon. We were not meant to let our life wiz by. We are not supposed to get so overwhelmed that it becomes almost impossible to enjoy the simple things that matter most. We should be living happy, useful lives growing spiritually and accomplishing God’s plan and will for our lives.

The only way to begin this is to stop trusting in yourself. Admit that your life is unmanageable or that it soon will be if you stay on the present course. This is a difficult process but once it is done you will begin to see changes immediately. Your life will begin to change and you will become happier and more fulfilled.

Powerlessness

15fundamentals — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:34:16 +0000

It goes against human nature, admitting that you are powerless over a particular situation, but that is the first step to solving the problem. When our pride or ego get involved, we want to show others or even prove to ourselves how smart we are. This usually causes more problems than it solves.

When we can get away from our pride and ego, then and only then, we are able to look for solutions outside of ourselves. It is the only way that we will ever be able to solve many of our problems. When we first admit that truth it may be frightening, but the more we let it sink in, the more natural the thought becomes.

When you begin to look at the state of the world, you start to realize just how much of our pain is caused by our egos and pride. We believe that we can solve any problem; but usually end up creating many more.

It’s when we finally admit that many of our problems are of our own making that we realize we need help; that our attempt to run our lives the way we see fit causes big problems. It’s when we look around and finally see that the mess we are in can only be solved by a power outside of ourselves, do we begin to truly clean up our mess.

Put away those holiday decoration and get your house in order…

15fundamentals — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:40:55 +0000

The Principle Of Unmanageability: Life has become increasingly unmanageable. I am becoming increasingly powerless over people, places and situations in my life.

I love Christmas…it’s one of my FAVORITE times of year but one thing always bothers me about it, the clutter. It’s amazing how quickly the house seems in disarray when there’s so many extra knick knacks.

We like to have the house organized (as organized as can be with two small children and many toys!) and for everything to have a “home” but this season brings out the clutter bug in most people and it’s an easy pit to fall into! We have our tree, the nativity, the village and other extra “cute” little things laying around the house to get us into the spirit of the season. We’re busier at this time so it’s easy to give up on maintaining order in the house.

I think that having a short time of crazy clutter in the house is fun but I have to say when January rolls around I’m pretty much done with the clutter, dust magnets and disorderly state of the house. Nothing feels more cleansing that putting it all away and getting ORDER maintained. It seems like such a simple thing but the weight of all the STUFF gets lifted off your soul when order is once again maintained.

It’s like this with other areas of your life as well. The ability to maintain order (not control, the two are separate) the arrangement of activities or things in a coherent form will lift a heavy burden off of your mind, your soul, your body and your spirit!

With this new season, don’t just put the holiday decorations away and leave it at that take it the next step and work towards organizing other areas of your life!

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Happy New Year and Happy Organizing!