Lessons from Alanis

Why is my "blog" so ridiculously named?
I'll tell you.

If you have never listened to the classic tunes of Alanis Morrisette, you have missed out on a lot in life. That woman has gotten me through tough times. Omitting certain words and phrases, there are many lessons to be learned from Alanis's songs. Let's start with my personal favorite, "Thank You." My favorite bit of the lyrics says,

"How 'bout them transparent dangling carrots?"

Of course, the reference of dangling carrots refers to the literal carrots dangled above the horses back in the day. Many people use this phrase in a negative way; something dangled in front of you only to be taken away. A tease; a false hope; in the words of Emily Dickinson, a thing with feathers. However, I like to take a different perspective.

Why were the carrots were dangled in front of horses? To motivate them to keep walking, of course. What tired horse wants to haul a wagon three times his weight with no reward? The carrot gives him hope; a reason to keep going.

1 Corinthians 4:16-18
That is why we never give up. Though are bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed each day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long, yet they produce for us great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on the things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Sometimes, I just want to give up. I have learned that college can be completely overwhelming, and sometimes I just want to quit. However, I'm learning to trust that if God's plan for me really includes teaching, then I'll have to pass college algebra. If I have to pass college algebra in order to teach, God will help me do it. It may not be easy, and I may have to take it three times, but the transparent dangling carrots of awkward, beautiful middle school faces keep me trying. When entire weekends are consumed by Midterms and papers, I will fix my gaze on my goal. Though I am sleep deprieved and stressed, I do not allow it to consume me. Instead, I run will my head held high, eyes fixed enthusiastically on the carrots in front of me.

Philippians 3:14
I keep pressing on to reach the end of the race and recieve the heavenly prize through which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling us.

Tune in next time for "Hand In My Pocket" and "You Learn." :)