Three Blueberries

Dear 12th Mile Runners,

Happy Mid-January…

Ah, January! The month that inspires us to resolve what is not!

Strengthening what is weak. Launch a personal makeover, no matter how small! We are gonna fix that imperfect thing! Hey! I get it. As a teacher, I committed myself to helping my students do just that. But…I wonder if, for a season—January or not—we might consider flipping this concept upside down? Instead of a galvanized focus on weakness, perhaps attention could be reoriented to a strength.

A few years ago, I read StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Gallup and Tom Rath. The author’s argument? It is important to focus on who we are! Developing our unique skills where our gifts and talents lie is a worthwhile endeavor! While there is certainly wisdom in addressing our weaknesses, it boldly challenges us to refine what we do well. And…enjoy it! It matters!  It matters more, sometimes, than what we cannot do!

In January of 2022, I was compelled to think about my imperfect stuff differently. I had been diagnosed with epilepsy in October of 2020. (This story is part of the 12th Mile journey) Through twists and turns, I decided that my first intervention to fight the disease would be an aggressive, medically supervised KETO diet—for 2 years! I was committed!  I was invested! I was focused! …Let’s get’er done! 

However, by mid-January, with less than 50 grams of daily carbs, I was struggling. One morning, it all came to a watershed moment. I was preparing my flaxseed porridge and reached for my blueberries to top it. I had to weigh them. They were big. Blueberries are fairly KETO-friendly, but in moderation.  The scale revealed that I could have THREE!  THREE? Are you kidding me? 3?…3?…3!!! After two very demanding weeks, my emotions took over, and I broke down in tears. I realized that a KETO diet for two years would be more challenging than I had realized. And then, suddenly, a question entered my mind: Instead of dwelling on what I can’t do, I wonder if I can focus on what I CAN do?  Little did I know that this thought would be an epiphany that would serve me well in the next two years.  I can do math!  I know division!  So, in an instant, with my favorite cutting knife, I made 3 blueberries become 6, and then 6 suddenly became 12!  I looked at my breakfast and thought, I am satisfied. And…with that…I ate!

I am speaking as a “pot that calls the kettle black.” I spend far too much mental and physical energy on the imperfections in my life: Eat healthier. Pray more. Trust more. Fear less. Love more deeply. Stop judging. The list can seemingly go on without end. Discouraging. How do we take the next best step forward? I learned it at the gym! Every day is a new day for strength. No day is the same. Focus on what is possible today. Do that well. Engage what is! Show up today with the faith that tomorrow will be better.

If you are overwhelmed by the “can nots” of life. Be encouraged. We all spend time in that boat! God is not in a hurry to correct all our imperfect things.  In fact, in my story, he used my imperfect things for healing for someone else. Take your next best step with the One who has the plan for your life—imperfections and all—uniquely created just for you!

Ephesians 2:10…For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Enjoy you!

With love,

Louise Ann