Greetings Dear TSJ Friends,
Do you ever feel like you are dragging your body into the day against its will? I mean, it is a drag to work all day on little sleep or with lots of anxiety! You feel weary and often discouraged. Sometimes it is a physical drag and others it is emotional, but it is always a challenge when we feel like that. There is a strong inner resistance to doing things so we “drag our heels” or procrastinate or hold back from doing what we really want to do.
How many times have you dragged your child against his/her will to the doctor, school, church? This is what that often 
looks like . . . (see picture)) And it looks like us when we are running low on patience or hope or joy.
I think every parent and teacher can relate to dragging a child someplace against their will at some point.
Today I am noticing our common inner resistances that interfere with joy and enthusiasm and courage to try new things or to believe in what is possible rather than focusing on what seems impossible.
We must believe in and embrace opportunities and possibilities for them to happen.
Is this blog getting to be a drag already? (I hope you are smiling.)
Sometimes we feel an inner resistance against the flow of life. We get dragged down in spirit. We feel like we are dragging (hauling, lugging) a lot of baggage in our lives. We fall into ruts of negative or pessimistic beliefs about ourselves and the world. Such beliefs work against us.
It is like living with one foot on the brake pedal and one on the accelerator. And as in a car, doing that burns out the brakes (burnout) and wastes fuel (energy).
Like children, at some point most of us resist doing what is ultimately good for us like rest, laughter, relaxation, doing a hobby we love, meditation, exercise, spending time with friends etc. Gradually we find ourselves with underlying and unspoken resentments, grudges, jealousy and chronic irritability or anger.
I realize I have blogged about this in the past, but I have been thinking again about one of the things a shepherd had to watch for in biblical times was a cast down sheep. It would lie down on its back in a groove or rut in the pasture and be unable to get back up by itself. It was susceptible to dying either from heat and dehydration or from predators. The shepherd had to rescue it by hauling it up to its feet and massaging its legs in order for circulation to return so the sheep could walk again.
I find this a touching physical image of a spiritual condition for us humans..
Seriously, don’t we get into a rut of thinking certain ways and find ourselves living with the brakes on our joy and creative longings? Our spirit needs to be massaged and lifted.
Ever since last week’s blogpost I have been thinking about the word “drag” – not only as a physical thing as it relates to the aerodynamics of lift as we discussed – but as a psychological experience as it relates to our thoughts and behavior – in both inter personal relationships and intra-personal conflicts.
There are strong negative forces that often keep us from propelling forward with our dreams and hopes. (Again, may I remind you that you can learn about the physics of drag by visiting the internet.)
Over the weekend, John and I attended a church leader’s workshop in Albany designed to support first time pastors and their churches. It was a privilege to attend with our young pastor. And it provided a lift in spirits – I think for all of us. It sure did for me.
We listened to inspirational stories and were encouraged to become gentle stewards of people’s stories. Stories speak to us at all ages and stages of life. We had breakout sessions to reflect on our church’s goals and mission. The emphasis was so positive it was impossible to look at things the same old way.
We learned about spending as much time looking at things that work well (successes) as we do our mistakes or failures. (That is something we do at TSJ headquarters with coaching clients too!)
As we discussed examples with each other, the joy in the room was contagious. A disciplined and positive change in focus for problem solving created an atmosphere of hope and enthusiasm. Before we knew it we were laughing and re-discovering many strengths in our church.
I often write about how changing our thinking and the words we use help change our attitudes. I believe that more and more. I also know how easy it is to get downcast or discouraged and pessimistic about the state of things. And I personally know about how stepping constantly on the brakes of self-doubt or criticism or comparison wastes energy and time. It creates drag and is tough to stay on course..
But when we forgive, when we serve God and others, and when we forget ourselves, we become free to live in the Spirit of Love. We also can find courage to try new things, dream new dreams and make our part of the world a more delightful place for work and play.
Life as it is meant to be fully lived – playfully, prayerfully and joyfully. Again, it is contagious.
Let us continually encourage each other. Many of you faithfully encourage me and I cannot thank you enough. Solomon agrees.
