• Five Minute Friday :: Impulse Linkup
An impulse is an inclination, force, instinct, motivation that does what it does, with logical results or outcome. Is the impulse built-in and natural, or does it come from outside? Is it negative, neutral, or otherwise value-laden?
Without a particular inspiration (ummm… "impulse") to create my own header graphic this week, I scrolled through my recent pictures and noticed I captured a lot of California golden poppies this past spring. God's natural, non-human, non-critter creation has built-in impulses coded perfectly with how to be, how to act, and how to grow instructions. For the most part a backyard or community gardner, a family or industrial farmer can learn what crops to plant when in what kind of soil with what sun exposure, how to fertilize and water, what harvest to expect and when.
We usually categorize flowers, berries, fruits, and veggies into annuals that must be planted every year, and perennials that typically regrow year after year, but a select few perennials rock only two or three seasons, and some behave like annuals in certain climates. Although they're technically classified as perennial, golden poppies are one of those. When circumstances are warm and to their liking, they'll impulsively reseed and regrow themselves. In colder climes you need to plant them again to enjoy their beauty again.
It's no secret that like planet earth, people have seasons. Beyond cycling through seasons with their mostly predictable characteristics alongside occasional surprises, it can be helpful to identify aspects of individuals and communities as annuals or perennials. Our built-in perennial impulses cause us to keep on keepin' on in certain ways without provocation or reminders; other impulses sometimes must be re-programmed and replanted because how to be, how to grow, and how to act situations and needs have changed.
What internal or external impulses have you found helpful? Unhelpful? For your family? Your workplace? Your church? Other organizations and entities you're connected to?
Hummm. This made me think. I am aware of some perennial impulses that probably need to be dealt with to make way for new planting! Thank you for this thought. I am your neighbour on Five Minute Friday.
ReplyDeleteI never really think ahead
ReplyDeletefor what to do or what to say,
and it messes with my dear wife's head,
but everything works out OK,
because the Holy Lord takes care
of drunks, kids, and dumb animals,
and though I make Him tear His hair,
and His awesome beard He pulls,
I suspect He's deep-down pleased
to have a brainless jester,
just the thing that Heaven needs
so seriousness won't fester.
Leastways that's what I'm telling me,
but one day I suppose we'll see.
You have got me thinking what are my internal impulses? though provoking, thank you!
ReplyDeleteHmm. Yes, thought-provoking. It seems that God can use our natural impulses for lovely things when we submit them to him, and help us overcome the impulses that aren't good for us. Much to ponder. Visiting from FMF#6
ReplyDeleteVery thought-provoking blog post - thank you for your thoughts on Impulse!
ReplyDeleteStopped by from #11
I love golden Californian poppies!!!
ReplyDeleteHmm. Something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI was just listening to a podcast today that asked you to reflect on the question, "What season of life are you currently in?" I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit can lead us to embrace the current season and act on the right impulses. Your #fmf17 neighbor
ReplyDelete