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January 1, 2014When you’re doing something at work or home, but you really would rather be doing something else, do you get this “ugh” feeling? I know this happens to me more than I would like, and I find it difficult to push through and get it done anyway. Why is it so hard?
The heart of the matter is that we don’t feel love in these moments. Love brings ease to difficult tasks, joy to burdens, and purpose to life. When we experience this “ugh” feeling, we need to go to God and receive the love He is giving to us in that moment.
Now, let’s switch gears a bit. How can I help others when they’re silently experiencing “ugh?” Affirm them. Give them a word of encouragement. Show gratitude and appreciation for them. As sons and daughters of our loving Father in heaven, He’s counting on us to share His love with others. Jesus says that how we love each other tells others that we are His disciples. (Jn. 13:35)
Perhaps this could be a New Year’s resolution—to affirm at least one person each day. If you find it difficult to think of how to do this, start small with compliments—how they look, their performance on something, etc. But then you must move past these to what really matters—their character, kindness to others, virtuous actions, etc. Here’s some advice from St. Paul: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8-9)
You are an unrepeatable person. You have a particular mission in this life, and if you don’t fulfill it, the world will be all the worse. You are in a place to build up the kingdom of God—and that means the people around you. God has entrusted this to you, and is counting on you. He doesn’t have a backup plan! I leave you with these words from Josh Groban’s song “Hidden Away:”
“You're a wonder, how bright you shine / a flickering candle in a short lifetime.
A secret dreamer that never shows / if no one sees you then nobody knows.
And all these words you were meant to say / held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave / please don't keep them hidden away.”
Duppong is director of adult faith formation for the Bismarck Diocese. She is currently participating in a two-year spiritual mentorship program through the Archdiocese of Kansas City to grow in her own spiritual life and to help guide others.