ENGAGING THOUGHT
A couple years ago I had a major "A-ha!" moment: I realized that every time I was about to embark on a large project or begin researching or studying for a major sermon series I would first clean out and rearrange my office. I'm not kidding - I would even sometimes repaint it a different color or redecorate it with a completely different style. I never gave much thought to why I felt compelled to do it right at the beginning of a new project - which is silly because I have long known of the power of surroundings. What do I mean?
Our physical surroundings have a huge impact upon how we approach any task - especially anything creative or new to us. Artists that are embarking on a new direction will often seek different surroundings to prevent from being influenced by their usual views; authors will travel to somewhere - anywhere - different so as to give themselves that fresh perspective. It's difficult for us to embark on a new direction in the same atmosphere - we need change.
As you begin the pursuit of God's DREAM for your life you need to give thought to the physical space you will do it in. Do you need a space for studying? Do you need a creative space? Will you need an area for practicing something? Obviously, the type of space you need will depend on what you are doing - but don't underestimate the importance of having that space which you can identify as your DREAM-pursuit space. It may not need to be large or spacious. It may not be exclusively yours. It might even be space that you already use for something very similar. The key is that you claim it as your space for working on the DREAM.
Perhaps you already have the space, but just need a change to the surroundings (that's why I unconsciously rearranged or repainted my existing office). I find it much easier to imagine and create something different than the norm when the surroundings have changed. It's almost like I get stuck in the usual thinking-patterns when nothing changes around me - so I change my surroundings to inspire a new perspective!
Give it a try!
Our physical surroundings have a huge impact upon how we approach any task - especially anything creative or new to us. Artists that are embarking on a new direction will often seek different surroundings to prevent from being influenced by their usual views; authors will travel to somewhere - anywhere - different so as to give themselves that fresh perspective. It's difficult for us to embark on a new direction in the same atmosphere - we need change.
As you begin the pursuit of God's DREAM for your life you need to give thought to the physical space you will do it in. Do you need a space for studying? Do you need a creative space? Will you need an area for practicing something? Obviously, the type of space you need will depend on what you are doing - but don't underestimate the importance of having that space which you can identify as your DREAM-pursuit space. It may not need to be large or spacious. It may not be exclusively yours. It might even be space that you already use for something very similar. The key is that you claim it as your space for working on the DREAM.
Perhaps you already have the space, but just need a change to the surroundings (that's why I unconsciously rearranged or repainted my existing office). I find it much easier to imagine and create something different than the norm when the surroundings have changed. It's almost like I get stuck in the usual thinking-patterns when nothing changes around me - so I change my surroundings to inspire a new perspective!
Give it a try!
ACTION STEP
For Today's ACTION STEP you get to roll up our sleeves and start creating the space in which you will pursue the DREAM. Do whatever you need to do that will feel as if you've accomplished something significant in creating or altering the space.
Tomorrow we start amassing the arsenal.
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