A different kind of class photo

Photo via BuzzFeed.

Yesterday, was kind of an important day in U.S. politics. In the aftermath of the passing of a fiscal cliff bill, the 112th Congress commenced around 11:00 am yesterday. Traditionally, they would end the session before the Christmas holidays, but since our country was on the brink of financial disaster, they put in some overtime.

But, all is well – the 113th Congress held it’s official opening ceremony yesterday at noon, and of course, I watched it most of it streaming live as I worked (multi-tasking at it’s best!). It was the traditional proceedigs – the swearing in of the newly elected and re-elected U.S. Representatives, election and swearing in of the speaker (John Boehner), nomination and confirmation of each party’s House leadership and finally a whole lot of amendments and suggestions on how the 113th Congress should operate.

I think my favorite part though, was watching the women of the Democratic party take their class photo. The House of Representatives, as of January 3, has 80 women. Of them, 61 are Democrats. Plus, there are 20 women elected to the Senate – Those are record numbers for the U.S. Congress! USA Today publishe a cool interactive graphic of women in Congress over the years – check it out!  Of the nearly 2,000 senators in the history of Congress, only 44 have been female. We’re making progress, but women still have a long way to go to be truly represenative of the U.S. population in our country’s leadership!

I particularly enjoyed seeing all the color and diversity that they brought to the floor – their hot pink and red suits and even fabulous hair accessories stood out in a sea of black suits. It sounds shallow, I know, but I think I hope that it is representative of their work in this session of Congress. You can read some of their bios here or read the first hand recollections of their swearing in yesteday. Reading their swearing-in accounts and watching some of it live on C-Span literally gave me the chills – it was absolutely amazing.

Who knows, maybe, God willing  that will be me someday? :)

Check out more photos here!

Watch Diane Sawyer sit down and chat with twenty of the female Congresswomen.

-YB

Finding out God’s purpose for your life

I think every person on this Earth has at some point questioned what they’re meant to do with their life. As I’m nearing graduation, I’ve also been asking what God has planned for me come May. It can be frustrating – the not knowing. Some days, I just wish the skies would open up and God’s booming voice would tell me exactly what I’m mean to do. Unfortunately, that has yet to happen.

For weeks, I’ve been asking God for some sign, some opportunity, and some advice that would hint at the big picture of what He has planned for me. But, I got so busy asking and pestering Him that I didn’t pay attention to the pieces He’s been dropping right in front of me. Last night though, my pastor’s sermon put all the pieces together for me.

It wasn’t as dramatic as the skies opening up or an elaborate dream where God sends an angel in disguise with a 10 year plan for my life. In fact, I’m still processing it all. But, the answer comes down to one thing really – the HOLY SPIRIT.

Here are the pieces that led me to figuring out what I’m supposed to do with my life. Let’s start with 1 Corinthians – it’s a gold mine on information about figuring our God’s plan for your my life.

“Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Okay, so you probably knew all this – each of us is put on this Earth to do something in particular. But, did you notice how each of these gifts (aka destiny’s, life master plans, careers, etc…) were given to each by the Spirit? Kind of like a fairy godmother – Jesus left us the Holy Spirit to act as our guide upon his resurrection.

“..but the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.” – John 14:17

So, pretty much the GPS for our entire lives is inside us via the Holy Spirit. It’s telling us when to turn left, right or when to do a U-turn. The question is whether we’re taking the time to listen to its direction or if we just plow on through life, determined to figure it on our own.

I’m guilty of the latter. Sometimes, I’ll go where I think I want to go in my life, meanwhile asking God to either a) approve my choice by blessing me or b) beg Him for some direction on what I’m supposed to do with my life. I assume He looks upon me and silently points to the Holy Spirit, which is probably blinking all sorts of warning lights telling me to turn around.

After all, John goes on to say that…

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come.” – John 16:13

Okay, so not only did God personally program our life’s GPS system ahead of time, but it’s also a fortune cookie of sorts – it knows the future and will be more than happy to take you to your future destination via God’s route. Plus, it has infinite wisdom and knows God’s secrets.

“God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the man’s spirit within him? So too, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:11-12

Take, for example, Paul.

“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens his Spirit was greatly upset because he saw the city was full of idols.” – Acts 17:16

Paul didn’t have to go question people, do research, or get counseling to figure that Athens was corrupted. He simply knew, because the Spirit in him told him so. It’s as simple as that. You want to know why Paul and the Spirit were on such good speaking terms? According to Paul, it’s because…

“My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power…” – 1 Corinthians 2:4

So pretty much it wasn’t Paul making the decisions, but the Holy Spirit. Luke acted accordingly.

“The Spirit told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.” – Acts 11:12

Summary: three strange men from some far off town approach Luke and ask him to accompany them to on a little trip to visit their boss. What would you do in that situation? You know what Luke did… he listened to the voice inside him and followed the men into a stranger’s house, because he knew his life’s purposse.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has annointed me to prcolaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to teh acpitves and the regaining of sight to the bling, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” -Luke 4:18-19

It sounds simple enough right, but why do so many say they can’t hear or understand the Holy Spirit? Or doubt its directions? Why do I do it?

I think there is a range of excuses – fear, lack of faith and trust, insecurities, etc… You know what I’m talking about – thoughts like, “I can’t possibly do that,” “I doubt God really means He wants me to do that,” “It’s all in my head,” “It’s my own personal desires,” etc…

But you know what I just recently discovered? That those personal desires are from God! Those dreams that you harbor, the ambitions you have, the opportunities and people in your life are there because God put them there – they are part of the surroundings that the Holy Spirit is guiding you through!

“At that time the Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you.” 1 Samuel 10:6–7

If you’ve given your life over to God and you live every day according to God’s word then what is in your heart and your mind is supposed to be there – that is the Holy Spirit putting those thoughts, desires, dreams, and plans in your mind. It’s that simple!

After all, this verse says it the best.

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now, if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, the person does not belong to him. But, if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness.” – Romans 8:9-10

The conclusion:

Photo via Pinterest.

Deep inside, you know what you’re meant to do with your life. Trust the voice inside your heart telling you to take that job, meet that person, major in that in college or travel to that country. Pray and meditate up on it and you will not go astray. No, you probably won’t see a neatly lined out plan for your whole life, but you’ll be on the right track. Besides, life is all about figuring out that mystery right? Enjoy it.

Photo via Pinterest.

-Y

Five things I learned from Forbes #30under30

Yesterday Forbes released its annual list of 30 under 30 – The Innovators, disruptors and brightest stars of 2012. Of course, I spent a good many hours perusing the lists (they have several categories and an overall list). It kind of inspired/intimidated me. Pretty much what I took away is I have nine years to work hard and accomplish something worthy of The List. No pressure, right?!

Oh, and here are five (more realistic) lessons I learned (with links to some of my fav honorees scattered in the text!)

Focus on one thing and do it well. 

It sounds simple enough, in theory that is. In reality, at least my reality, it’s a tad bit more complicated, mostly because I have a lot of interests and skills that don’t always tie together very cohesively. Reading about all of these accomplished twenty-something’s, I began to notice a pattern (genius, I know!) – All of them one thing they’re passionate about and they’ve spent years pursuing solely that one thing. Now, it might have spanned a variety of jobs and promotions, or it might be one crazy entrepreneurial idea. Regardless, it became their entire life’s focus, and in my opinion, that’s why they’ve succeeded. Lesson: “Whatever you are, be a good one,” as Abe Lincoln used to say.

You don’t have to change the whole world.

I was genuinely surprised at the simplicity of some of the ideas featured, as in, hey, I had that idea and I could’ve done that. In fact, most of the honorees started by focusing locally – with their own high schools, neighborhoods, and universities. If the idea is good and you work hard, your efforts will grow and expand naturally. Lesson: Dream big, but don’t force yourself to invent the next Google or Facebook.

Social media matters.

First off, I wish Forbes had added Twitter links to each of their honorees profiles, but that didn’t deter me. If an honoree intrigued me, I proceeded to stalk, follow them on Twitter. Surrounding myself with greatness and all that (I even mustered up the courage to tweet a few of them, chalk it up to the internet and feeling invincible). But, this is not what I learned, it’s what I did. What I learned is that a lot of these honorees used social media to raise awareness and support for their causes/organizations/businesses/personal accomplishments. Thus the lesson: use social media wisely for branding, promotion and networking. It may get you next year’s Forbes 30 under 30!

Give back.

There is a whole category of 30 under 30 dedicated to social entrepreneurs (confidently, it was my favorite). Social entrepreneurship is a relatively new trend (you can make money and help people? What?!), so I was excited to read about all the great things people are doing to give back to their communities, and essentially, the world. Lesson: Be a business and/or person with a heart. Find a way to make a change and give back, because we’re all blessed beyond measure and not everyone has the same resources and opportunities as we do.

Follow your passion.

This may seem redundant after Lesson No. 1 above, but each of these honorees has succeeded because they love what they do – it’s what drives them and wakes them up each morning and even keeps them up late at night (so I assume!). Doing the responsible thing and following society’s expectations of a safe desk job that bores you tears, but pays the bills is probably not going to get you on Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2013. Or 2014. Or even 2040. In fact, it will probably leave you miserable. So, lesson: Do what makes your heart pitter patter at superspeed, makes your pupils dilate in excitement and overall makes you feel awesome. It’s a lesson I’m learning.

-Y

The Daily Muse

This summer, while enjoying a lunch of salmon (above) at a sidewalk cafe in Paris, with a view of the Louvre (above), I met Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run. She was having lunch alone and noticed that my friends and I spoke English and started up a conversation with us that continuted long beyond our lunch.