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This post is part of a community post. Every Friday, a one-word prompt is announced. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, and no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just writing the thoughts as they come. If you’d like to participate, or read other posts, you can find all the info you need here.)
Just write.
5 minute Friday — Decide!
I took the last 2 weeks off due to Easter Celebrations and then recovery time. You know, there are a lot of plans and details involved with our church service for Easter weekend and it took all my weekly energy and brain power. Then after Easter, I purposed schedule down time to recover and refuel. (Figured, I should at least practice what I preach/wrote a few weeks ago – 🙂 check out those posts here: Fill up to Live Full & 3 things to help you Avoid Hitting the Wall )
As the week progressed, I couldn’t decide what to write a new blog post on, so I put it off. And then I put it off some more and I worked on 3 painting projects I have been trying to find the time to get to for over a year. I am happy to report, 2 of the 3 are almost complete and waiting for a final coat of wax to be finished and place in their new locations– the 3rd one has been sent to my husband’s workshop to be repaired and then stained, so technically, my part is finished.
When I still couldn’t decide what to write on I decided to hop on over to 5 minute Friday and see what the prompt word was for the day and I thought, WOW – I can work with that. Hahaha, this is actually only the 2nd time I have participated in 5-minute Friday, which is sad, because I enjoy it so much.
Besides my lack of deciding what to write a blog post on for this week, as I was looking for the stop watch to set the timer for 5 minutes, I immediately thought about how I used to have such a people pleasing issue that I couldn’t even decide where I wanted to go for lunch with my friends. Yes, sadly it’s true, when asked “Debbie, where would you like to go for lunch?” I would freeze, not knowing what to say, my mind would race. I mean, what if I chose the wrong place? or they hated the place I chose? Then what if they said something about disliking the place I chose, then I would get hurt feeling and feel rejected, so I just wouldn’t, couldn’t decide. Now, it seems really silly, but the struggle is real when you have an issue with people pleasing and wanting to make everyone else happy just so they will like you.
Thank you Jesus, that I have been set free of my people pleasing issues and I can actually tell you what I want to eat now…
Stop!
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Monday’s
What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings
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Saturday’s:
Visiting from FMF. I relate to your post- I also used to be so concerned about keeping other people happy that I wouldn’t say what I wanted or offer an opinion. I’m glad that I have got a lot better in this area too.
Carly – thanks for stopping by and letting me know I am not alone in where I used to be with saying what I wanted or sharing an opinion. It feels so much better to have improved in this area of my life, and so freeing as well. Have an awesome week.
Love this Debbie,
Glad to see Five Minute Friday helped you decide what to write. lol:) I loved that when I wrote there. I might pare down my Word of God Speak posts and write on Fridays again. I used to love it.
Blessings,
Janis
Thanks Janis – it is so good to have been able to participate in FMF and I was so very grateful it was available to help me when I needed it the most. See you again this week at Word of God speak!
I have the same problem Debbie… Trying to decide.
And as I prayed about this, I feel the Lord say, “I can choose whatever, and it is ok.”
So glad for that! He is just letting me decide, and He is big enough that no matter what I decide…He has got it. Blessings to you.
Barbara – thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with me… I like what the Lord said to you – it’s ok – just choose! and YES! He is BIG enough no matter what I decide or don’t decide – Blessings to you as well.
Deciding…oh, me too! I need to be ok with being slow to speak, giving me time and room. I always think the other person is more important so I need to choose rightly for them, but I don’t know what they want either. People-pleasing is not the way I am to relate to others. They ask me because they want me to have a decision in the process too.
Thanks for the encouragement and reminder that God knows.
Linda – You are so welcome for the encouragement and reminder. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and struggles with this topic as well. YOu are so very right – they ask because they want and value your input!
Great post, Debbie! It fit right in with Five Minute Friday, didn’t it. I was busy and couldn’t “decide” what to right so I didn’t even to FMF last week. I hope to do it this week. 🙂 Blessings to you!
Gayl – I look forward to reading you at #FMF when you are able to come back. I am very grateful that it is there and I can utilize it as a tool, if I need it, but I do enjoy reading all the thoughts of others and what the 1 word prompt inspires in them. Thanks for stopping by.
You’re so cute!
On our vacay, you loved helping pick where we went!
So glad you decide now 🙂
Love you, sweet friend!
Awe Leslie – thank you so much for stopping by and reading – and I too am glad I can decide now and thank you for your encouragement of my growth in this area as well! Sometimes I am still too hard on myself and don’t see the growth. Much love to you as well my friend.
I’m progressing with this too. Thanks for the encouragement!
you are most welcome Julie – thank you for stopping by today and leaving a comment.
Ha! I am with you on the people pleasing stuff. I used to be the exact same way. It took me 35 years to get comfortable in my own skin and not care what others think. And on another note, I have been wanting to do the 5 minute Fridays but have always chickened out. Maybe I will give it a go! #raralinkup
Adrienne – YES! you must give 5 minute Friday a try – I have always loved the idea of it, but always chickened out too – now my excuse has been I am so busy, but truthfully, it was more about the imperfections and errors in my writing I was afraid others would see and ‘judge’ me on – – but I just dove in anyway. I look forward to see you post on #FMF soon! oh and I am so glad you are now comfortable in your own skin – it is a relief isn’t it — when you can just be you no matter what others think or say? I enjoyed your visit today, I hope to see you again soon.
It’s so good how a word can prompt us to write; I like that idea! Congrats on finishing your paintings! That is such a gift. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
thanks Kelly, and yes, I was so very grateful for a prompt last week to write. 🙂
Hi Debbie, thank you so much for leaving me a sweet comment on my latest blog post (taking down the Easter decor). I tried to reply directly to your comment but you came up as a non reply blogger. Luckily I was able to find you through the IMPARTING GRACE party, since you mentioned we were neighbors in the link-up!!!!! Christine from Little Brags!!!!
Christine -I am so glad you found me, I have no idea how I came up as a non reply blogger and I have absolutely no idea how to change it either. lol oops – You are most welcome and I am so glad I discovered your site. I have enjoyed looking around your place very much. Thanks for your persistence in searching me out. So glad to have you visit and I hope to see you again.