A SILLY QUIRK
“Take your shoes off – stay awhile!” I jested.
“I want to finish my homework first,” our oldest responded to me years ago when she was still in high school.
I’m sure she didn’t get the attitude completely from me, but I most definitely understood where she was coming from. It’s a mindset. Whether she consciously knew it or not, she witnessed me work in my office with my shoes on, sometimes well past the time she’d go to bed.
Everyone uses different quirks to keep them motivated or on task. “Success in life regardless of how one defines it, is all about attitude.”
I spent decades writing down goals and plans, intent on keeping my edge. There has been many occasion when the scorching Arizona sun reached it’s highest recorded temperature of the year and drove most folks for the shelter of shade and air conditioning, it drew me out to do battle like a gunslinger to main street in the old west.
I’d pull weeds and do yard work on the hottest day on the weekend summers, desperate to keep my flame burning within. Those type of twisted quirks have become habit, done now without a second thought. Required actions designed to succeed in perseverance, which is the foundation of success in my opinion.
My sweat soaked clothes caused the tremoring earthquake of a shiver shoot up my spine like an electrical current from within me as my body jerked and twisted involuntarily. I considered how long it would take for the sweatshirt that had done a valiant job catching the perspiration at the gym, as well as the cotton tank top underneath it, to dry.
It was the dead of winter when I considered subconsciously the length of time to endure the drying process, another of those self-inflicted quirks designed at keeping myself with a razor’s edge.
I can’t begin to count how many times I’ve endured the discomfort of soggy clothes as one part of my regimen designed to keep me focused and tough. I’m weary of striving to be tough… Moreover, I’m tired of the battle in my mind and the fear of being soft.
Enduring is a mindset. I also think it’s good to be disciplined and I respect others with self-discipline, but like all the good gifts, traits, and characteristics provided by God Himself, we can find too much value within ourselves and believe that we have more to do with the outcome than we really do.
We tend to, “Wear yourselves out trying to get rich…” (Proverbs 23:4, partial) I think you can swap Solomon’s “rich” with
“success” which tends to point to the position of our hearts and the “wearing out” process fits. I’ve worn myself out along life’s merry way with a skewed focus; it’s easy to do in this flesh.
There’s still time to change and make a difference and it really does start in the heart and with the seemingly insignificant things in life… like changing out of freezing sweat soaked gym clothes. That really was a silly quirk.
Now on to next one… Kinda feels like the arcade game where you smash one plastic gopher head down and another pops up in a different hole…
David Rupert
Sunday, March 23, 2014 @ 5:04 pm
Ha. I got the whack a mole clue!
But man I’m with you. I have some tremendous areas of discipline and other areas I’m completely soft. My attitude is so positive one day and so negative the next. Romans 7 man I am!
Floyd
Sunday, March 23, 2014 @ 10:04 pm
You know I’ve never thought about it like that, but that’s a great call, I too am a Romans 7 man. Those words strike deep in the soul of the man who strikes the illusive mole! Well said, David! So appreciate your wisdom, brother.
June
Sunday, March 23, 2014 @ 5:25 pm
I have a friend (in AZ) who turns on the heat in his vehicle after playing tennis in 110 degree weather. Sounds like you might be related, lol.
Your post reminds me of one I’m going to write some day about BALANCE. We quirky humans love to go to extremes, don’t we? Our first response is to laugh at Paul when he has to tell the Romans, that no, it is not okay to sin more so that grace abounds more. It doesn’t work that way. But somewhere amidst the snickering we realize we’re just like those those sinners he’s writing to – oh, wait – we ARE the sinners he’s writing to!
Thanks, Floyd, your posts always challenge me. Have a blessed week!
Floyd
Sunday, March 23, 2014 @ 10:06 pm
Amen, June. Yeah, it’s us; the regular folks in need of His grace. That pretty much covers it! Thanks for sharing your warm wisdom, it’s catching! Thanks, June, for the wisdom and the smile. A blessed week to you as well, sister.
Hazel Moon
Sunday, March 23, 2014 @ 6:36 pm
Just a minute more, let me finish what I am doing. And we still haven’t reached that rainbow with the pot of gold. Solomon said, all is vanity. Learn to live simply and realize that all is not gold that glitters. We have discovered that we can do without a lot of things that we once thought we needed. Great post Floyd and thanks for sharing at “tell me a Story.”
Floyd
Sunday, March 23, 2014 @ 10:09 pm
You do have a way of sending the exact words I need to hear when I struggle in print that reflects my real life. Bless you for sharing your wisdom and heart, Hazel. Little things mean more than we can ever know. Thanks, sister.
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 5:26 am
I read just a few months ago where Sylvester Stallone finally decided enough was enough. He was a gym rat, spending hours a day in the gym. At 60+ years he finally said he was done. We can all keep the string too taught for too long. I have been one. It is time to let it loosen a little. Not too much though. 🙂
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:17 pm
Yeah, just a skoshe, Bill. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing! Takes one to know one I heard… ! Thanks, Bill.
David
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 9:46 am
I never learned the fine art of discipline very well. That’s probably why I so often feel adrift at sea with no oar, sail or motor.
I remember as a child when I first started piano lessons, I always struggled with the discipline of practice and doing my scales and dexterity exercises. I wanted to improvise even then, putting my own spin on the piece in front of me. Putting notes in-between what was written – yes, on purpose … not always accidentally – because I thought it sounded better. Drove my piano teacher nuts. The problem was, I was/am no Mozart, he had more natural talent in the dirt under his pinky finger-nail than I have. Fast forward 20 years or so when I started to play with a worship group at church … oh how I wished I had PRACTICED my scales and exercises more. I can still improvise but the virtuosity that would have come more easily with disciplined practice as a child just isn’t there.
Hopefully someone out there will read this and learn from someone who wished he had been more disciplined and put some discipline into practice for their own live … and sanity …
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:20 pm
You have a way of making your world come to life… Not to mention I can relate to adding your own spin on things and hunting down a short cut. And then we also share the fine art of regret… We’re masters, brother! It’s a good reminder to all of us regardless of age. Thanks, David.
Pam
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 10:01 am
It’s easy for me to get a bit obsessive compulsive about things–like a clean house, a perfectly edited manuscript, or finishing a book whether I like it or not. Sometimes it feels as though my worth depends on sticking to those quirks. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father doesn’t measure our worth that way. Good post, Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:21 pm
Ooooo, I know that feeling, Pam! You nailed it perfectly… I hope for your sake they don’t put us in categories in heaven… you be stuck with me and our kind! At least you’ll know what to expect! Thanks, Pam.
Dolly@Soulstops
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 10:26 am
Floyd,
Such gracious wisdom…yes, keep whacking those moles down as God gives you His perspective on life, and your great value to Him, which is apart from how the world defines success…Great post 🙂
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:22 pm
“His perspective on life.” That’s our goal, sister. One mole at a time! Good call on the difference between the world’s success and true success as designed by our Father. Thanks, Dolly.
Lisa notes
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 11:58 am
“I’m weary of striving to be tough… Moreover, I’m tired of the battle in my mind and the fear of being soft.”
I can relate in my own way because, yes, we all have our own quirks. I’ve too often valued my own self-reliance and independence as wonderful traits, instead of seeing them as hindrances to depending more on God and less on self. Thanks for your authenticity and vulnerability, Floyd. I always benefit from seeing it and am spurred on to be more that way myself.
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:24 pm
Boy, it is a battle, huh, Lisa? I find that we’re all more alike than we are different… That probably isn’t going to come as good news to you regarding me! Bless your kind and real heart, Lisa. It’s nice to have company. Thank you!
Thomas Mason
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 12:26 pm
Self-discipline is great in any endeavor, but I consider that too much self-discipline gives the mindset of being self-reliant. There’s a danger in that because you can have less reliance on God. I want to do everything that I can to make success, but I also want to trust God more in bringing the increase of the things he wants me to do, not from being anything that I do.
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:26 pm
Well said, Thomas. I’ve stumbled in the exact areas you’ve described and still tend to. Old habits die hard and it takes an open eye and spirit striving to accomplish by the grace, will, and power of our Father. Thanks, Thomas.
Barb Raveling
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 3:50 pm
I admire your work ethic, Floyd, even though I can see how easy it would be to work too much. Isn’t it exciting, though, that we can still change? I feel like I’m finally learning how to work this past year and it now feels like anything is possible. It’s so exciting to be able to say I’m going to do something and actually do it! I have also been struggling this past year with idolatry of success but it seems like that is also becoming less of a struggle now which is so nice. I’m so thankful for a God who cares about us enough to point out our flaws and then help us overcome them.
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:27 pm
You have a wonderful perspective, Barb. Being able to change is truly miraculous and proof the hand of our Father is smack in the middle of our lives. Good for you, Barb. Keep up the good and intelligent work, sister!
Caleb Suko
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 5:32 pm
I guess we have to be careful that those silly quirks aren’t our way of making little idols in our life. Good thoughts Floyd!
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:31 pm
Exactly, Caleb! We become reliant on ourselves and our rituals… it’s a fine line, isn’t it? To fine for me to see. Good call. Thanks, Caleb.
Rick Dawson
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 5:34 pm
It does take a while for some of us 🙂
Romans 7:14 onward was one of the first sections of the Bible to click on, literally, like the sound of a light switch being thrown in my head when I started coming around to understand God’s Word (I’m a little slow – OK, like Joy says, sometimes I’m a lot slow – but I’m paying attention).
If the quirk works, it isn’t a quirk – it becomes part of our character over time, yes?
Good post, Floyd – send some of the heat you describe up here to Minnesota? I’m awfully tired of winter saying “These are my people, and the sheep of my ice floe…” 🙂
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:34 pm
That’s a great thought, Rick. I suppose if it becomes part of our character and we don’t worship the rituals, you might be onto something there. For the record, I haven’t pulled weeds in the dead of summer in a couple of years… Thanks, Rick. You have a way of making me use my noodle and send the sides of my mouth toward heaven.
Hazel Moon
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:12 pm
Thank you for sharing with us here at “Tell Me a Story.”
Floyd
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 6:35 pm
If that’s a quirk, then they can’t be all bad! Thanks, Hazel! Honored to share on your wonderful site, sister!
Betty Draper
Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 7:56 pm
An old saying came to mind as I read, “when the going gets tough the tough get going. I think Ace and I both have been apart of that “tough’, know how to work till you drop, endurance just for the sake of endurance for a lot of years. With out much education, good work habits was needed and always brought us the means to live. People have said to us, you really have to be tough to go to the mission field. I always tell, yeah, or a little crazy. I do believe the mission field is where the toughness was replaced with some wisdom, grace, humility and softness. It was there I learned to be a strong woman in my faith with a softer heart. The mission field broke down the last of those tough walls I put up. For sure I am much happier even though I could not pull weeds for a half hour anymore in the hot sun. As always you have laid truth on the line for those of us who read. Thanks brother for the honest peek into your heart.
Floyd
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
You’re welcome, Betty. It’s not always a pretty place to peek into, but thanks for always sharing your wisdom and heart. It makes sense and is always food for thought and for the soul. Thanks, sister. I and we’re blessed to have you.
Wanda
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 5:31 am
Love Caleb’s comment. Discipline and endurance have their place for sure but we can began to lean on it too much. As always you leave with much to ponder Floyd. Have a great day.
Floyd
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 6:42 pm
I’m with you on Caleb’s wisdom. I think if we don’t ponder we can’t see truth, at least that’s the case for me! Thanks, Wanda. A great day and week to you too, sister.
tcavey
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 12:07 pm
God peels us back layer by layer, revealing to us more of our selves that we need to die to.
It’s so easy to lose focus on what really matters and WHO should get the credit.
I think its why the Bible says we must die daily to ourselves.
Self has a nasty habit of rearing it’s ugly head, just as we think we’ve made progress.
But with each new layer removed, God’s grace is enough and our faith grows more and more.
Another ball park post!
Floyd
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 6:44 pm
I hear you, TC. That nasty habit rears it’s ugly head in my life so often it looks like the reflection of me sometimes. Well said, we do need to die to our fallen flesh daily. Thanks so much, TC.
Dan Black
Sunday, March 30, 2014 @ 7:14 pm
Amen about that, daily dying to self.
Floyd
Monday, March 31, 2014 @ 5:20 pm
Not easy, but blessings come when we strive toward it. Thanks, Dan.
Jennifer Dougan
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 12:43 pm
Hi Floyd,
Shoes on while working inside? It’s fun to see everyone’s motivational tools.
You bring up the fine balance of “enduring as a mindset” versus making sure not to think that all results are just from our own effort too, and forget God.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Floyd
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 6:45 pm
And I think all of us dance over that fine line more often than we know, me for sure. Don’t forget to take your shoes off and stay a while! Thanks, Jennifer.
Sharon
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 1:23 pm
Yeah, my life has been a series of “gopher-head-smacking” too – great analogy! LOL!
You know, as much as I would hate to admit it, some of my *quirks* are really just sins. Like my “that’s just the way I am” excuse about my tendency to be negative and to complain. Or “I’m just a worrywart by nature” – that really doesn’t work either.
I’m such a work in progress, that sometimes I get VERY discouraged when I see no progress. I’m hoping that the Lord sees something different in my heart.
And this continues to be my prayer:
“…for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” (Philippians 2:13, AMPLIFIED)
May the Lord make my spirit willing, and my flesh stronger to change my *quirks*…
GOD BLESS!
Floyd
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 6:47 pm
You’re not alone, Sharon! I guess we all have quirks that need smackin’, but don’t forget to acknowledge the ones that He’s given us and are used effectively. You have the gift of encouragement to be sure, and I appreciate that quirk in a big way! Thanks, sister. You bring a delightful passion!
Cynthia
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 5:01 pm
Everything you wrote about, sounds like our family, a few years ago. My husband and I passed these same attitudes on to our children: work hard; life is serious; you get left behind if you don’t give your very best; play to win; study yourself and build on your strengths; know your opponents; watch your back; and on and on. The whole article reminds me of the song, Cat’s In The Cradle by Harry Chapin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUwjNBjqR-c). We’re slowing down and they are speeding-up…growing up to be just like us. Shall I laugh or cry? It depends on the day and my heart…. Since early retirement, I have really chilled-out. Yep! Proud to be slowing-down, enjoying my life and really listening to my grown kids–one has his own place and the other one will be leaving for college in August. They like that I have slowed-down and am available. Oh yeah, I still wear my shoes when I’m working in my art studio. Shoes help me to work! What can I say? Much joy!
Floyd
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 @ 6:51 pm
It’s nice to run across one cut from the same cloth as me! Funny, my little one, well youngest, doesn’t want to hear the Harry Chapin song anymore… says it reminds her of me. It reminded me of my dad as a kid too. You and your husband have done well and you’re still a great example of a different season of life. I appreciate your wisdom, Cynthia! Thanks for sharing your personal life, that makes it so much more powerful.
Joanne Norton
Thursday, March 27, 2014 @ 3:18 pm
And, as usual, you shared things in a very mind-grabbing manner. I, being raised in practicality, was mostly thinking of how you survive in your extremely hot and sweaty area. But you also mentioned how you adjust and readjust. Doing whatever the Lord lays on you. Those are important thinking situations… and serving and doing ones. As usual, you grabbed a lot of thinking in a lot of hearts. Blessings, Brother.
Floyd
Thursday, March 27, 2014 @ 6:04 pm
I guess we all have silly quirks, huh? Some are sillier than others I suppose. I appreciate your practicality, sister! We need some smart ones too! Thanks, Joanne.
Nancy
Saturday, March 29, 2014 @ 7:12 pm
Hey Floyd…. The way you told it, got me to thinking. It’s not that a quirk in itself is all bad, but it occurred to me that quirks can also be person’s answer to being in control. If it’s used to set a good example for others, used in leadership, or to make a difference in other’s lives, that’s a good thing. Used otherwise, might simply be some sort of fleshly validation.
I’ve notice that people tend to rationalize Why they are doing something quirky. Obviously the “quirk” represents some sort of value to the individual. At the end of the behavior, it could be said, “I did it”….”I pushed myself”…. “I managed to endure”……”Just look how much punishment I can take”….I can outlast so and so”
Looking at what drives me, I guess the bottom line is HOW I apply my my zeal, enthusiasm, or effort. I’m sure I’ve convinced myself that certain idiosyncrasies are valid or needful. That’s when I’ve gotta remind myself of the things Paul talked about. Can I endure hardships? Am I hardened to sin? Have I strengthened my feeble arms and weak knees? Have I made level paths for my feet,so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed? (Hebrews 12:12-13 ) That is the ultimate discipline to which I am called. It has taken a while, but these days, when I operate in something I consider to be an action of value, my response has gravitated to checking in with God if HE considers it of value or if there is another way He would like me to challenge myself and shape my character so it will bring about a desired result pleasing to Him. As a result, many of my ingrained re-actions have been re-trained. Good sharing, Floyd
Floyd
Sunday, March 30, 2014 @ 2:43 pm
Well said, Nancy! You’re right of course, you tend to do that a lot! If anything points to ourselves then it’s the wrong exercise and is ultimately a waste of time and energy. I’m better than I used to be, but I’m not out of the woods yet… Thanks so much, Nancy. It’s wonderful to hear from you, sister! Hope all is well with you, Randy, the businesses and the whole family!
Dan Black
Sunday, March 30, 2014 @ 7:16 pm
I’ve seen quirks work in the favor for so many successful people, it’s those “quirks” that really allow the person to move above the crowd. It’s something that I have to keep in mind, since God made us (quirks) in all we have to learn to live and use them for the benefit of our selfs and others.
Floyd
Monday, March 31, 2014 @ 5:21 pm
That is a very good point, Dan. It’s when we begin to rely on those too much that we miss the Truth from Above. Thank you, sir!