We're all mad here.
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Update: Decided yesterday would be last day drinking anything caffeinated.
It’s amazing how quickly the irritability sets in. It took about 24 hours for the headache to start, but the irritability happened fairly early this morning. Although that could also be in part to the fact that it’s Monday and I dealt with a TON of idiots at work today.
Headache aside, I am feeling pretty good. I’m still not 100% sure about this whole thing though. Who would willingly go through withdrawal (especially when the thing they’re addicted to is something as silly as caffeine), and especially when they already know the shitstorm of side effects this will bring? But, let’s be honest, no one likes feeling like they need something to survive the day.
One day down.
Maybe if we are surrounded in beauty
Someday we will become what we see
‘Cause anyone can start a conflict
It’s harder yet to disregard it
I’d rather see the world from another angle
We are everyday angels
Be careful with me
‘Cause I’d like to stay that way.
Inspired by a friend, I have decided to give up all things caffeinated - in my case, this means giving up refreshing, delicious soda.
This isn’t my first time doing this. I gave up soda a few years ago and it was hell on Earth. After two weeks of excruciatingly painful withdrawal symptoms - migraines, irritability, nausea, fatigue, cold sweat, etc. - I hit my stride. I didn’t crave it every second of the day. I remember at first I would literally sit and think “soda soda soda soda” every time my brain wasn’t busy doing other things. The headaches all but stopped and I was feeling great, like a fog had been lifted from my brain.
I promised myself that I would never go back and that, if I ever had kids, they would never have soda. After those withdrawal symptoms, I truly feel that soda should be categorized as a drug. Unfortunately, in spite of my newly-found enlightenment, I wound up relapsing, as many addicts do. Since that relapse, I haven’t looked back or even thought to try again. But if my friend can give up sugar and caffeine simultaneously while raising a toddler, I can surely give this another whirl…though I am dreading dealing with the withdrawal symptoms again.
Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.
None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses. What ever happened to giving each other the benefit of the doubt? What ever happened to hoping that another person would succeed or achieve? What ever happened to rooting for each other?
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“You can’t just go around Daylight Savingsing people!” -Alex
Friday is brought to you by Ryan Gosling not eating his cereal.
via deerhoof:jensensations:
Ryan Gosling won’t eat his cereal (x)
GOD
BEST SHOW ON TV!
” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
No matter what may be happening today, God has good things in store for your future! It may not be easy to see now, but God has already lined up a new beginning, new friendships and new opportunities for you.
Maybe you’ve experienced some setbacks, but don’t make the mistake of expecting the same for your future. Instead, accept God’s good plan for your life by declaring His truth. As believers, our attitude should be, “Even though the economy is down, I’m not worried. I know God is going before me, and He has promised He will make rivers in the desert.” Or, “The medical report may not look good, but I have another report that says God is restoring health unto me. I believe God has already released healing, health and victory in my future.” Or, you may have a child who is not on the right course. In the natural, it seems impossible. But our report should be, “I know God can do the impossible!”
Today, be encouraged and don’t give up on your tomorrows. Accept the good plan God has for you—a plan filled with hope, purpose, blessing and increase in every area of your life!
(Source: readingmywrites)
Ten Daily Reminders
1. Show gratitude daily. Look at the world with wide-eyed wonder and appreciate the places where goodness and grace abound. Bundle words of thanks as a gift to those you love. Offer a song of praise in both the easy and hard places. (Colossians 3:17)
2. Be honest. Know your weaknesses and trust God to bridge the gaps. Recognize your gifts and talents, not your own ability. Be eager to receive in love when truth is spoken to you. Wrap the feedback you give in tenderness. (Colossians 3:9-10)
3. Take responsibility. Look in the mirror, not out of the window when things go wrong. Be quick to apologize and seek forgiveness. Own what do and do well what you own. (2 Peter 1:10)
4. Choose contentment. Focus on where you are right now and be anxious for nothing. Carry the burden for those that have less and celebrate those that have more. Accept that the season you are in as exactly where God wants you to be. (Philippians 4:6-7)
5. Affirm others. Share the good you see in others that they may not be able to see in themselves. Value people and let them know they matter to you. Create new possibilities and always believe the best. (Philippians 1:3,27)
6. Move in quiet confidence. Embrace the mercy and grace allotted for you each day, and then give them both away. Know there’s not a mistake you can make that God hasn’t already covered. Remember that same grace covers your neighbor, too.(Isaiah 43:2)
7. Be forgiving. Forgive offenses as soon as they happen. Expect nothing and give everything, no matter how much the world thinks you’ve been wronged. Strive to understand before you’re understood. (Colossians 3:13)
8. Live to serve. Be quick to help, even when it’s not convenient. Offer your best to improve someone’s ideas or situation and ‘gift’ him or her the credit for it. Make following first be the way you lead. Do everything you do all for Him. (Colossians 3:23,24)
9. Be teachable. Keep your heart wide open. Admit what you don’t know and allow people to pour into your life. Let all you learn bless and be a blessing to others. (Jeremiah 33:3)
10. Extend kindness. Approach each day with gentleness and generousity. Find unexpected ways to surprise and bring delight. Give in secret what only you can give. (Romans 12:10,11,13)
