“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) / Pixabay
Lesson from the Bird Feeder
Birds flitter here.
Birds flutter there.
They eat of my seed
Without worry or care.
This is, until
The bully appears.
His size alone
Ignites all their fears.
A loud “CAW” fills the air.
They can’t miss the blue plume.
He spreads out his wings
And takes all the room.
He eats ’til he’s full
While they hide from his sight.
Lacking courage to dare him
Try as they might.
As I watched the whole scene
It struck me today.
It’s not just the birds.
I’m exactly the same way!
I’m living my life.
Things are moving along.
Then the bully chimes in
Saying I’ve done it all wrong.
She continues to chant
Lots of negative stuff.
Why do I listen
And not shout “enough”?
Just like the birds
I change what I do.
And believe when she says
“You aren’t able to see it through.”
She continues her assault.
Her list is so long.
My heart feels condemned
Where there once was a song.
It’s time to stand up to her
But it’s not easy, you see.
The bully that’s always taunting
Is the voice inside of ME!
I recently read an insightful blog post called “Waking Up to the Power of Positive Self-Talk” by Cindy Krall at http://www.cindykrall.com
It got me to thinking back and wondering if I’d ever experienced being bullied. Sure kids had called me names because of the curly ball of hair on my head and my “Pollyanna-ish” personality; but imagine my surprise when I had the realization that the biggest bully I’ve ever encountered was myself. The things that I tend to say to myself are things I would NEVER say to anyone else. It’s made me realize that I need to change my self-talk. I now wonder what I might have accomplished if I hadn’t been telling myself I wasn’t good enough or that I couldn’t do it. How about you? What words do you use to talk to yourself? If you find yourself like me, I hope you’ll join with me and begin to mute that bully’s voice and instead, turn “Pollyanna” up full blast! And always remember that as the verse from 2 Corinthians says above, “Christ’s power is made perfect in weakness”.
**For you youngsters Pollyanna is a Disney character who was known for her positive, uplifting attitude.
Oh, I can SO relate! (both to the birds and the bully’s identity). Thank you for reminding me to be kind to myself!
Once again, a lesson I’m learning! It made me so sad when I realized I was the biggest bully in my life! Gotta change that self talk!! Thanks for stopping Anita!
Hmmm, Wonderful poem Cindy! I’m not sure why anyone wouldn’t want to be a Pollyanna. I know I am! ha And it certainly keeps me happy because the world goes round and we have no control and so we just hope and pray it will all be well. And it usually is. But if you have no fear of meeting your maker, then it doesn’t really matter what happens here. As my dear Aunt said, I know to whom I belong. Bless her heart.
Goodness LaVonne! You need to write a book!!! So wise!
Your poems are so wonderful and insightful What a gift you have!! Pollyanna has been one of my all time favorites for years. I have to watch it every now and then. We should all look for the good in others and ourselves and promote it. May each of us bring some of Pollyanna’s sunshine into the world. Keep on writing.
You have brought plenty of sunshine to my life, Nancy!!! I so appreciate your kind words. They mean more than you can know!
Oh, that’s brilliant, Cindy. Well done.
God bless you Sue! I appreciate your encouragement!