Last week I sat down at my computer with the idea that I was going to dominate the day -get a ton of stuff done and leave the studio feeling accomplished and amazing. And maybe even a few inches taller.
Fast forward to not even an hour later and I was frustrated, annoyed and ready to throw my computer through the window (hopefully avoiding the baby ducks swimming in the creek outside my window). It seemed like everything I was working on just wasn't working. It was so frustrating, to say the least. After restarting my computer, quitting out of apps and trying different ones, and still nothing was working, I'd had enough. I threw up my hands, stood up, and left. I went down the four flights of studio stairs, walked out the building, got in the van and drove home.
When I got home I decided I would work-out, because I just needed to do something that was the opposite of what I had just been frustrated with. I changed into my workout clothes, turned on the Black Fire program that I do and worked out. Hard. I actually worked out harder than I had in a while. I was a hot, sweaty mess by the time I was done and it felt awesome!
As I was sitting on my mat, eating my post workout yogurt, I really started to think about how this, this little shift in my day, totally changed the outcome of my entire day. If I had stayed at my computer I would have probably continued to be frustrated because it was just one of those days. Even if I had been able to finish the project I was working on I probably wouldn't have loved it because frustrated work usually isn't my best work.
But, I reset. I didn't do anything glamorous or fancy. I just worked out. It was simple, but it worked.
How many times in life do we ignore the chance to simply reset? We are so focused on our frustration that we let it define our outcome, when, in reality, we could pivot, reboot and change the outcome of our days, weeks, months or even lives. I have talked extensively about how June was a huge reset in my life. Brooke continues to tell me that I am so much happier since June came into our lives.
In the past, I have worn some of my frustration like a badge of honor, like it somehow made me noble or humble. Really, it just makes me annoying. I ignored chances to reset because of pride and it only led to more frustration. But I've learned that I have too much to live for to walk around with frustration weighing heavy on my heart and soul. I follow a God who gave up His Son for the ultimate reset on our souls and to spend my time leading a life of frustration, what is that?
I believe that if God can reset my sin, and make me right with Him, then anything can be reset.
Maybe it's your marriage.
Maybe it's a relationship with an old friend.
Maybe it's the way you treat your body.
Maybe it's the way you treat your kids.
Maybe it's something smaller, like you're work day.
Whatever it is, you can reset, refocus and live more fully. And the choice you make to do that will be the catalyst. I had to stand up from my computer and leave to come home. I had to put on my workout clothes and push myself through my work out. But in the end, my entire day turned around. I ended up having a really productive and joyful day. Also, because I worked out earlier in the day, I was able to watch June in the evening, which gave Brooke time to work in her garden, which she loves to do.
Resetting my day lead to productivity, time with my daughter and the ability for my wife to do what she loves. If I had wanted to wear my frustration like a badge of honor the outcome of that entire day would have been... wasted.
So, maybe you are reading this and you need a reset. Do it! Start with a conversation or action. Listen to God as He directs you to reset your heart, pivot back toward Him and lead a life of joy instead of frustration. Take that first step and you never know what will happen.