Quetico Thoughts 4

* The next few blogs posts were written while I was in Quetico (a protected wilderness area in Canada). These are the thoughts and observations I made while there with my two brothers and dad. 

This is our last night here in Quetico. Thoughts and words that have been buzzing around in my head all week now elude me. After a week full of highly unexpected trials and triumphs, an unusual peace engulfs my mind and soul. Looking back it seems like I've been here for a month instead of just one week. In the time span of one little week I've experienced a broad spectrum of emotions from frustration and grief to joy and amazement. Limits were stretched, patience was tested, and buttons were pushed. Yet through all of it, who we are as individuals was solidified. Sometimes the real world with its constant and rapid moments is overwhelming. Taking a break from people, schedules, and the basic rhythm of life is quite essential at times. As you step outside of the bubble you call your life, things can become strikingly clear. This week my mind has roamed and sorted through many thoughts, issues, and ideas. Finally, after a week with many many hours spent with thoughts jumping and bouncing around inside, there's a stillness. This stillness is here in this wilderness every evening. As the water calms down and the loons start calling, the best sunset of the week set in all its majestic pinks and oranges. It is a strong and peaceful feeling that cannot be put into words. 

Quetico Thoughts 3

* The next few blogs posts were written while I was in Quetico (a protected wilderness area in Canada). These are the thoughts and observations I made while there with my two brothers and dad. 

Image. Everyone has one and it says a lot about you. Over the past week I haven't seen myself except for a brief period of time each morning when I use an itty bitty mirror to put in my contacts. It's really quite strange actually. You don't realize how often you actually see yourself each day until all the mirrors are taken away. In the store I work at there are mirrors everywhere you turn, every time I go to the bathroom I'm guaranteed a mirror, when I get in my car there are mirrors, I walk into my bedroom and there's another mirror. It doesn't matter if I want to see myself or not, I will. I've gone six days now without seeing myself. I've noticed this has its pros and cons.

 

There was a time while I was still living in Minnesota that I came across a magazine picture in which the model was wearing a pair of bright red skinny jeans. I loved how although the jeans were bright and childlike the model was able to make them look classy and mature. My hunt for the perfect pair of red skinny jeans began. I scoured store after store hoping for that perfect pair in my price range. Then, one day just a few days before my birthday my mom walked into the house with the most beautiful pair of fire truck red skinny jeans. Then came the real problem. How was I going to wear them? Duluth,MN is a different culture, more patterned and simple. The styles and trends are all very practical. Red jeans were far from practical. Every time I wore them somebody would make a comment on them or give me an odd look. Many mornings I would get up, plan an outfit with those beautiful red pants, but quickly change into my basic blue jeans before leaving the house. It was on one of these mornings as I sat in front of my mirror repeatedly putting on the red jeans and then putting on the blue jeans that I finally found courage. In frustration with myself I put on those red skinny jeans and stormed out of the house. I marched down the main street of our little neighborhood, legs clad in bright red material on my way to babysitting. As I marched I kept thinking to myself, “you enjoy this style and it doesn't matter what anyone else around here thinks”.

 

Those red skinny jeans have long since been outgrown, but what I learned from them has always stuck with me. We all have an image. Some are obsessed with their image, while some could care less. Some are confident with their image, while others hate theirs. Some copyothers, while some create their own. No matter who we are though we all have one. I don't think our image should be obsessed over, but I do think it is something that should be taken care of. An image can say a lot about who you are. Are you confident, respectful, hardworking, reserved, outgoing? What those red skinny jeans taught me was that my image is a reflection of who I am on a deeper level.

 

A lot of times our image is carried out by how we dress, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. The way we carry ourselves, our view on health, the way we smile, how we chose to eat, or the tone in which we speak to others, they all create an image of who we are. An image that should be cared about, but not obsessed over. Mirrors are good they show us exactly who we are. They show both the flaws and the features of ourselves. They show the image of us. Sometimes though we need to walk away from the mirror. We need to take pause and exam the heart of our image. Are we being irresponsible, or rude, or condescending? What is our image portraying to the world? Is it one that serves others or serves self? Is it one that breaks down or builds up? This week away from the mirror has been one of looking more closely at the heart of my actions. And when I get back to the mirror I hope to see an improved image in that mirror.    

Quetico Thoughts 2

* The next few blogs posts were written while I was in Quetico (a protected wilderness area in Canada). These are the thoughts and observations I made while there with my two brothers and dad. 

We all have strengths and weaknesses. Put to the test both will become blatantly obvious. Yesterday we canoed 27 miles. By the time we were coming back it was late and darkness had sunk in, enveloping the shore line. Although exhaustion had taken over our muscles and moods, that wasn't what was getting to me. No, the worst part was the fact that I had no idea where we were going. I had to trust that everyone else could decipher the blackened shoreline and get us back safely to our base camp. If I had known exactly where we were going nothing could have stopped me; not the wind, cold, darkness, or distance. When that chair of control gets pulled out from underneath me, my tendency is to become defeated and angry. Last nights adventure was simply a picture of what my struggle has been all week. At the beginning of the week I could hardly enjoy anything. All of a sudden I was placed inside an environment where you have little control over anything. If the weather turns sour, you can't just run inside. There is no inside. You have to be prepared for it, rain gear is thrown on, dry items are thrown into a tent or water proof bag, and loose items are secured. If someone gets injured, rushing them to the ER is not an option. There is no rushing around here. Are you thirsty and hungry? Well you're in luck! It's called a water pump and fishing pole. You best be prepared to work for your needs. Want to check in on somebody, make sure they're doing ok? Surprise! You simply can't.  It's called the wilderness for a reason you know. Out here every situation is out of your control. Any and every situation can change on a dime. I panicked a little bit. What ifs crept up and consumed my mind and actions. I just wanted to leave, escape back into the normal world where I seem to think I have everything under control. On our same crazy 27 mile trek yesterday, there was about a two hour period where we were catching fish one after the next. It was exactly how you would picture an ideal fishing spot. Rapids bubbling into the lake, calm clear water, and a sky full of sunshine. At one point I even caught 7 small mouth bass in a row. I realized something a littler later, I had a blast! I enjoyed a moment in a foreign environment with complete carefree abandonment. It was than that I realized if I was going to worry about people and situations in the real world that I can't do or know anything about, than I was not going to enjoy this trip at all. When talking about letting go of control, people assume that you're telling them to just trust that everything is going to be ok. That is so far from the truth! Everything may not be ok. That's life. In all actuality, control is a figment of our imagination. When you let go of this illusion your not saying "Life is all rainbows and butterflies". No, what you are saying is, "Life is crazy and I can't pin it down. I can't control the situations that arise in life.  I can only control how I react and respond to these situations". It's really quite simple when you break it down. I have no control over what the weather decides to do today, but I do have control over how I respond to the weather. I have no control over what's going on back at home, but I do have control over my thoughts and concerns, which means I can let my worry go. So today I'm choosing to enjoy this hammock swinging in a gentle breeze, overlooking a gorgeous lake with no civilization ruining the beauty, while daydreaming of showers and toilets.

Quetico Thoughts 1

* The next few blogs posts were written while I was in Quetico (a protected wilderness area in Canada). These are the thoughts and observations I made while there with my two brothers and dad. 

Before coming here into this wilderness, I was talking to someone about who we are as people. We swapped observations we had each made about each other. I began to think about who I used to be and who I am today. I was confident going into the middle of nowhere. Confident about my future, about who I am, and about what others see in me. But here I am not even two full days into this trip and I'm sitting here wondering how strong am I really? As I write this I am lying in my one person tent surrounded by things that represent a person. T-shirts with logos that say this person has volunteered, run races, held a job....this person participated in life. A phone that has numbers, pictures, e-mails, and messages....all stating that this person is involved in others lives. Books, pens, a knitting project, and a notebook exclaim that this person has hobbies that play into their deep thinking side. All these representations and none of them matter out here. The t-shirts with their many logos have no point if nobody else is around to see them. A phone has no way to reach out to others if it has no service. Hobbies are no good unless you can share what you've learned and created with others. So here this person sits stripped of everything that makes this persons life a life. When the realization hits that the things we participate in in life are not who we are it can be a hard one to swallow. Because here I am, unable to show others who I am, not many are here. Unable to be apart of anything, I'm in the middle of nowhere. Unable to prove that I even exist, because for the week I don't in civilization. So where does that leave me? Who am I stripped of everything that says I am me? An old ratty stuffed animal, that has clearly been through a lot, sits atop my sleeping bag, representing a past, my past. Some say I'm crazy for still carry around the faded animal, but every time I see him sitting there I'm reminded of how far I've come by the grace of God. And when your reminded of how far you've come you're also reminded of who you are. All the things here show a picture of who I am, they are not my identity. Out here in the middle of nowhere it becomes blatantly clear that everything we do in the real world does not make us who we are it is simply an act of who we are and where we have come from. So yes, even out here, without the ability to join in the activities of everyday life, I am still Laura the strong, thoughtful, and sarcastic woman. 

What Defines a Leader?

Throughout my life I have been told that I am a natural born leader. Sometimes I wonder if it's a nice way of telling me that I am extremely bossy or if it is actually a compliment. Either way I started thinking (like I always do) what makes a great leader? Is it the way they carry themselves, their age, their enthusiasm, their upbringing? What is the definition of a leader? So, I sought out answers to my my questions and came up with a list of things that I observed in mature leaders.

As I thought through people that I would say are or were great leaders, I thought about the well known leaders who were powerful generals, church history changers, presidents, and founders, but I also thought about people in my every day life who step up to the plate daily as leaders. As I mulled over each person, I pulled out the common threads that makes them unique as leaders. 

1) Leaders are problem solvers. We wouldn't even need leaders if there were no problems or fear of problems arising. Therefore that makes constructive leaders problem solvers. They are the ones who don't make hasty decisions and seek the counsel of others who are wise. The ones that look out for the interests of others while making decisions. The ones that are always thinking, learning, and striving for new knowledge. These are the ones that make helpful problem solving decisions. 

2) Leaders are humble. Some of the greatest leaders throughout the worlds history were great because of their humility. The person that humbly takes charge is the one that earns respect among the people they are leading. Instead of always delegating they are willing to get their hands dirty and work along side others. This is the person that can put others needs above his own. They won't let their power and authority go to their heads; instead they are personal and willing to listen to those around them.

3) Leaders take initiative. Although they may be afraid of stepping forward, they will do it anyways. They are willing to say what needs to be said or do what needs to be done in any situation. Whether that is standing up for someone's rights to the simplicity of organizing an event. In all scenarios they are the first ones to take the leap of faith, be it a simple leap or a difficult leap. 

4) Leaders earn respect. A good leader is always setting an example. An example that deserves to be respected. I believe that these leaders earn respect by how their actions speak. They are honest, reliable people; people that will fight for the well being of others. I don't know about you, but somebody who is honest and loyal to me, that is somebody who will earn my full respect.

5) Leaders are responsible. One thing that I love about leaders is that they take on their responsibilities well. They always strive to achieve more, going the extra mile. The best leaders are the ones who take all their responsibilities seriously, from the biggest ones to the tiniest ones; they give their best. And when they do mess up, (because they are humans and they will mess up) they take responsibility for their actions. They won't justify or cover up their mess, but they will own up to it and take the steps towards repairing the damage they have created. 

6) Leaders are communicators. I don't think I was born a natural leader, I honestly don't think anybody is. I think that some people's personalities are more inclined to take on leadership skills, but they are not magically there. We all had to learn from somebody how to talk and walk, so likewise to become a leader we have to learn from the experiences of other mature leaders. Thankfully the best leaders are patient teachers. A big part of being a leader in any situation is communicating clearly and patiently all kinds of information and tasks. Just watch a leader, they are generally guiding and helping the people around them. This is how someone learns how to become leaders. 

7) Leaders are not saviors. As I was going through a list in my mind of the hundreds of leaders over the years, I saw a repetitive theme; they were human. Sadly they let others down, sometimes they were selfish, or afraid, never perfect. Most of them left a huge and beautiful mark on the world, something to be admired and looked up to, but we also see the flaws and the heartbreak. Is there any hope for us to be upstanding and impactful leaders? When you look back over history there is one perfect leader. Jesus. He left us an amazing example of what a leader should look like and thankfully He also gives us the strength each day to be leaders that move and empower the world. 

Which leads me to my eighth and final point. Leaders are game changers. This is probably my favorite thing about the most spectacular leaders in history. They changed the way things are. They stepped up to the challenges of being a leader and rewrote history. They didn't care what the world had to say about their thoughts, beliefs, and actions and look where it got them. Now obviously we can't all be famous history changers, but we can be generation changers. We need family leaders, encouraging leaders, community leaders, passionate leaders, church leaders, healthcare leaders, we need people everywhere who will step up in their day to day chores and become game changers.

 

  

  

 

   

Winter Wonderland

To preface this I must let you know that I am part of that 10% minority that call themselves morning people. I do enjoy sleeping in and if you ask me to get up really early I won't be pleased with you. But when I wake up I am ready to go. I am probably my happiest all day, I could have a conversation that maked sense, and I don't even need coffee to make me like that. I do realize that most people wake up and are not actually awake; so I generally contain my awakeness inside until everybody else opens their sleepy eyes. Notice how I said generally.....today as I hopped out of bed, I looked out of my window and saw the beautiful white blanket of snow that covered the ground and trees. Yup, my excitement got the better of me and I called my brother at 7:30am... 

I suprisingly got a groggy and annoyed, "Hello?" 

Still consumed in my excitement, I started chattering about how he needed to get his butt out of bed and come hiking with me before all the snow melted by midmorning! I was interupted and reminded by my extremely frustrated brother that nobody had to go to school or work today so what the heck was I doing out of bed?! And than the line went silent as he hung up the phone on me. 

Since everybody seemed to be interested in staying in their warm and cozy beds; I trecked out into the silent winter wonderland on my own. It was all so perfect. The air was crisp and smelled so wonderfull. The sleepy silence was intoxicating, no children screaming or birds chirping, just the sound of my boots crunching in the snow. I was able to snap some pictures of the peace, before the sun and neighbors woke up. Enjoy.

Daddy's Girl

I love observing how people relate to each other. In all different types of relationships formats, from the cute engaged couple, the arguing siblings, the giggling best friends, to the frustrated mothers. But my favorite of all to watch are the father daughter relationships.

As I watch and listen I see the role of a father getting swept under the rug. His part in the influencing and raising of his daughter gets narrowed down to the easy task of handing her whatever her heart desires to completely denying her existence at all. Although the mother is an important part in how a girl matures and grows, the fathers role is just as significant. 

Daddy's girl. I love that title, but for different reasons than the majority of girls. For most, they are implying that they have their daddy wrapped around their entitled little finger. Ask for anything with a little pout and a touch of a whine and it gets handed to them on a silver platter. This is disastrous on so many levels. The biggest thing that I've noticed in those situations is how needy these girls tend to turn out. Instead of learning how to fight for her dreams and needs, she is learning how to be dependent on others in every aspect of her life. When I became a freshman in high school I decided that I wanted to play one of the most expensive sports around, downhill skiing. My dad encouraged me to do this, but on the one condition that I would need to get a job to pay for all the equipment. The other girls on my ski team got all the shiny new gadgets and the latest greatest ski models, while I was fighting for my spot on the team. Some see that situation as unfair or too harsh. However if my dad had handed me all that brand-new expensive equipment, smiled and said, "Have fun sweetheart!", I may have "liked" him more in that moment. In the long run though how would I have learned to fight for and accomplish my dreams? 

Something else that I see way to often is fatherless daughters. Women who grow up without a father tend to have insecurities that they must combat and work through. Now don't get me wrong, I have many friends who grew up without a dad who cared about them, and they've worked through their insecurities and thrived, but sadly this is not often the case. We females crave attention and love, and if we don't get that from the first man who has a responsibility towards us, we start to think that there must be something wrong with us and we run around looking for that affection. I am blessed to have grown up in a home where my dad tells me I'm beautiful and loved everyday. Without my dads affirmation of truth at a young age, I would not be the confident and secure person I am today.   

As much as we would like it to be so, kind words by themselves are not enough to instill confidence into somebody. When I was 12 years old my dad and I decided to go turkey hunting and for the first time ever, I was going to be the hunter. But in order to hunt I needed to learn to shoot a 12 gauge shotgun. When I pulled the trigger for the first time at shooting practice, I vowed never to shoot that gun again. It's kick back hit my shoulder and brought me to tears. For weeks after that my dad would take me out every few days to teach me how to handle the kick, the noise, and the flying shells that were being ejected. Slowly, after crying over my fears, the kick back no longer mattered when I was able to understand the fun of being a good shot and the enjoyment of the hunting experience. There are many instances like that over the years, times where I've "hated" my dad for making me do things that I was afraid of. Every time my fears threatened to pull me under he would look me in the eyes and say, "Laura Jane, would I ever put you in unnecessary danger?" With tears streaming down my face the answer was alway no. Than came the head first jump into defeating my fears. Over the years I grew more and more undaunted as I learned how to conquer my fears without the helping hand of my father. 

My dad is not perfect and I am sure there are things he could have done differently, but the kind of expectations he placed in front of me helped to mold me into the strong and confident woman that I am today. Thank you to my dad for alway being there for me and instilling in me the wisdom I need for the challenges of life. And thank you to all the other fathers out there making a positive difference in your daughter's lives.