Courage, Brains and Heart, oh my!

So as I write I am watching The Wizard of Oz on t.v. with Matt. Last weekend we had the extreme pleasure of seeing Wicked at the Oriental theatre in Chicago. It seems that Oz has been perforating our lives lately. I remember an episode of the show Scrubs that has a significantly "over the rainbow" theme running throughout it and loving the symbolism it drew out.

As I watch the wizard it is interesting to think of the many symbolic metaphors that have applied to this movie. One thing I notice as I watch is the idea that the characters are pursuing courage, brains and hearts in an effort to make their lives complete. I wonder if any person would say that is all we need in life, or if that is enough. Of course many people pursue success, wealth and love. But courage can bring success, brains can bring money and heart can bring love. So in many ways in this life pursuing these things can bring many forms of satisfaction. Of course there is always the other layer. Where is God? When the characters pursue the wizard are they looking for the wizard, or just what he can give them. When we pursue God, are we looking for God, his heart, his character, or just what He can give us? Now maybe it isn't fair to draw a comparison between the Wizard of Oz and God, maybe it is even blasphemous, but I still think it's fun. In the movie, the Lion is too scared of the wizard to initially approach him and the scarecrow is too humble, believes his request is too small. How often do we feel our requests are too small, or so outrageous that we're afraid to ask. It is a good reminder to ask anyway. I also love that the Wizard does not necessarily grant their requests in the way they thought. A badge of honor for the lion, a diploma for the scarecrow and a ticking heart clock for the tin man. God does not always grant our requests as we would expect either, but he is wise. And I would feel completely confident to say that in a test of wisdom, God would certainly kick the Wizard's butt. 

Blogger ... maybe?

I really like to write. To share little stories and have a creative outlet.  I love to read others' blogs and would like to be part of the blogging community, but I'm not sure if I'll have the stick-to-it-iveness to follow through. I'm going to try though, because I just want to.  There aren't a ton of things in life that we get to do just because we want to. Face it, we don's always go to work because we want to. I don't clean my house because I want to, more like I have to. Even cooking, an activity I generally enjoy, is not something I always want to do. So, I am hoping that this blog simply stays as something I want to do. 

I chose the title, Joyful by Intention, not because I necessarily am joyful by intention, but I want to be. When I think about the blessings of God, I think one of the best is Joy. Of course the greatest is love, the Bible tells us that. But for me, love has brought joy and things outside of just love bring joy too. What I love about joy is that it is a different word from happiness. Joy is not tied into having everything perfect or being in a great mood.  Joy is a frame of mind and a decision, or intention as it would be. I am sure on this blog I will complain, I will talk about how rough times can be in my perfect little American world, I will be far from perfect. But overall, I want to strive for a life that is filled with joy by intention. Joy from seeking moments and joy from seeking God.

So today I am home from work sick, nasty cold/sinus infection of some sort? Sinus headache I just can't shake. So as soon as I wrap this up I'm going to go take a very hot shower with a little shower soothers lavender/mint thing I bought in the hope that it will clear my sinuses. Then maybe I'll curl up with my puppies and take a little nap. So I guess this is the intro to my blog, and we'll see where it goes from here :)