Jumping Through Hoops

For your consideration…

I don’t think we have ever had today’s message before. I love it because it touches on a few different things.

The main part of the message is to stop jumping through hoops. Immediately we all will jump to different conclusions on this message. My first thought was, “Wait, we should be determined and jump through hoops for what we want.” This is true. Determination to carry out our passions is a good thing.

But I was quickly given an example to drive home today’s message. In domestic violence, abusers are constantly “raising the bar.” Survivors will never be able to satisfy their abuser no matter how hard they try.

Our message today asks us to pause when we feel we are “jumping through hoops.” Not all hoops are meant for us to jump through. Not every friend of a friend is meant to be our friend. Not every job is meant to be done the same way. Not every goal is meant to be ours.

If we feel we are jumping through hoops, we are asked to pause and think about the intention. Are we doing to accomplish our own goals and passions? Or are we doing it because we think we should because we don’t want to disappoint someone else or because we are trying to impress them?

Jumping through hoops can be good for us if we are jumping for the right reasons and we are in sync with the flow of our lives. If we’re not doing it for the right reasons, we can get hurt.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…

-Affirm…“I am loved.”

-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Follow the natural flow of our lives.

What made me smile yesterday…

-Lots of sun.

-Dinner with Jul, Vic, and Kaye.

-Some shopping done.

-A good book.

Love, Blessings, and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris