Donuts &Swiss Cheese

For those of you who know me (or read my blog) know that I love a good metaphor. I use them a lot in counseling because sometimes it helps makes ideas more tangible.  One I especially enjoy, I learned from Dr. Landreth who encourages parents to "focus on the donut, not the hole!". Basically, don't hyper focus on what you have missing in your life so much so that you forget what you do have.

Sometimes, life feels less like a donut and more like swiss cheese. There are a lot of holes and things missing or that you wish were different in life. Because unfortunately sometimes life can be hard and it can seem overwhelming.

But what do we know about donuts and swiss cheese?
1. They are delicious.
2. Just because they have holes doesn't mean that they are damaged or aren't worth eating.
3. Did I mention they are delicious? Just maybe not together.


So in your pursuit of growth and self discovery, don't get so busy focusing on what's missing in life that you forget to see how valuable you are, just as you are. The Lord all made us beautifully unique. Those strengths and qualities that you have already are what hold you together. We can focus on those positive qualities and strengths in order for the holes or what we want to improve to seem less daunting.

Whether your life feels like a donut or more like swiss cheese, don't get so caught up focusing on what's missing that you don't see the good stuff right in front of you. Just like you wouldn't pass up a donut or swiss cheese because it has a hole, don't pass on yourself. Now, go carpe that diem.


(Sorry if I made you hungry because I am just writing this.)

Surfs up.

One time when I was in Hawaii, Tyler and I decided to swim in the ocean right off from our hotel. There were a lot of surfers out there but being 13 and 11 we didn't think much about it. So there we were, floating on our boogie boards (trying our hardest in our awkward years to be cool) and I see this massive wave approaching. I look over with wide eyes and asked Tyler "WHAT DO WE DO?!" He just looks at me and says "Start paddling!!" We start flailing our arms in hopes of out running the wave. Well, obviously we were two kids from Texas who knew nothing about surfing so of course the wave over takes us. And I'll never forget the feeling of being tossed in the wave. It flipped me, twisted me, turned me and held me under water for what felt like an eternity. But, I wasn't panicked in the least. It was oddly peaceful. And by not panicking, I could enjoy the chaos and the whir of the wave around me. While it felt like a lifetime, it was really only a few seconds. And by not trying to fight the wave, I arrived back on the beach where I probably needed to be.  The only damage that happened was that Tyler got his boogie board thrown at him by one of the good surfers because we messed up his wave. Sorry brah.

If I could describe my life right now I would describe that feeling. Life feels chaotic, busy, stressful. I know life is changing and moving in a million different directions. It at times feels overwhelming. And because of this, I feel somewhat disoriented. Pretty much the only thing in my control is me and my attitude towards the changes. I don't exactly know what all of these changes are or where I'll be but I know I don't need to fight the changes.  I need to stay calm and have a little faith that after riding it out, I'll end up where I'm supposed to be.

So here's to letting go, having faith, and enjoying the ride. Surfs up.