Girl, Get Out the Box.

Working in a cubicle had its challenges. On this day, I needed a change in my setup to inspire fresh enthusiasm for the tasks at hand. My back had already proclaimed that if it didn’t get relief and a new position it was going to refuse to function any longer. So… I used what I had and made myself a stand up desk out of the day’s deliveries.

This gives a whole new meaning to thinking outside the box.

You do what you have to sometimes – especially for a change in perspective. In this case a simple adjustment was all it took for a bit of stress relief and even a little humor. (Contagious enthusiasm is my thing. Won an award for it too. #truestory) This was awesome for awhile, but it wasn’t enough long term. Fresh is only fresh for so long.

We understand the concept of fresh as it applies to fruit. But how do you know when YOU need a fresh perspective, a fresh idea or a fresh wind? For me, I knew it was time for something new when I had to argue with myself everyday to walk into my office, when I was no longer fulfilled by what I was doing, when the stress caused me physical issues and my typical enthusiasm could no longer cover it.

It was on one of my long drives to the office, when I felt this scripture rise up from within me.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  

Isaiah 43:19

I wrote the words “new thing” on a post it note and pinned it to my cubicle wall. It stayed there for years as I anticipated the day when I would meet this new thing. I didn’t know when it would happen, but if God said it, I knew I could count on it to come. My role was to be sensitive to His timing – not to get ahead (patience) or neglect the nudges when it was time to move (discernment). In the meantime, I was to give my all to the tasks at hand, being the best marketing leader I could be. If that took a change in work station, then bring on the boxes. 

Now here I am. I’m writing again. A new thing is happening. My job is to be sensitive to His leading and not get distracted. It’s what God has called me to. We’re building something together and it’s pretty amazing. And so far I haven’t built anything out of the Amazon delivery boxes.

What areas of your life could use a fresh perspective? What may God be saying to you about a “new thing”? Take a walk. Change your workstation. You may be surprised what you see or hear when you do.

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Get out the Box -> Bonus Tip:

Sometimes you may even have to dress as a dinosaur to get a whole new look at things. It sure helped me. Life is short. Get the dinosaur costume.