I wrote the following post last October. At the time, however, other post ideas were flowing so I opted to hold off on this one. Truth be known and in all transparency, fear was partly to blame for the delay or refrain. Then I read the following quote from Brene' Brown, Ph.D: "Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do." I thought okay, we're going to do it, today is the day to post but fear once again tightened its grip on me, reminding me it was still in control. Then this morning, I received an email from my former church in Chicago launching their new devotional series called 'Reset.' In that moment I realized that, like many and despite my best intentions, I dropped the ball on being intentional thus far in 2018. (Side note: in lieu of resolutions, every January I pick a word or theme for that year and this year's word is 'intentional'...and I am all too aware of the irony here!)
So that email, coupled with Dr. Brown's quote that was nestled safely in the back of my mind, were the gentle nudges I needed to propel me forward to action. (It's amazing what God uses to catch out attention!) This is my story; I own it and I am no longer going to let fear...of what others think, their opinion, or potential judgment of my recent leap of faith, hold me back. In the great words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." By looking fear in the face and staring it down, we take away its power. That 'fork in the road' decision I made back in October was between God, my husband and me; and we're all three in agreement and good with it. So, without further ado...
When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer for the first time, let alone the fourth, it is a rude, crude, harsh and yet gentle reminder that life and time are precious and tomorrow is not always guaranteed.
In light of this realization, I made the scary, exhilarating, exciting, brave, and to some crazy, decision to invest in me and to follow my heart despite not looking rational on paper; to leave stress behind in exchange for passion, desire and a soul-nurturing path.
While I greatly appreciated my two-year tenure with my former employer, I knew I made the right decision when I looked in the mirror the morning after my last day on the job. I did not recognize the person I saw...I was glowing, the bags and dark circles were gone from under my eyes. I had not seen that person for a long time; it was as if I was looking a long lost best friend in the eyes after years apart...and I liked what I was seeing!
During my run that eye-opening morning, I had such clarity and the creative juices started flowing. I listened to a playlist I made some time ago called "SHIFT" - that title was beyond appropriate, applicable and timely to say the least! The songs were just what my soul, heart and being needed to hear. It was as if, despite running...okay, jogging, I was in slow motion. I noticed a bird in flight; he was low enough and I was so aware of the moment that I noticed his red face. This observation was immediately followed by a sighting of two butterflies. Again, thanks to my new "slow down" perspective I noticed them. Through the song changes and my run/jog, I realized I was given a special gift of a "R&R" period, per se, to be gentle to myself and embrace rest among other self-love, "TLC" words.
- Rest
- Rejuvenate
- Recoup
- Regroup
- Run (because you need to feed your body as much as your soul)
- Reading
- 'Riting (more to follow on this one)
- 'Rithmatic (because learning and feeding your mind is just important)
- Relax
- Reinvent
- Rebirth (of dreams, passion, etc.)
- Restore
- Resurrect
- Redirect
- Release (bless, forgive and release)
- Reconnect (because in the busyness, I've unfortunately neglected friendships and relationships and let them take a backseat to the to-do list)
- Reminisce
- Receive (what the future has in store for me)
- Reset (priorities)
- Reveal
- Refresh
- Rediscover (that old friend, my true self who has been buried for a while)
- Relish (this gift and time)
- Rewind
- Recreate
- Restock (my sleep, energy, and reserves that have long been depleted)
- Repair
- Reset
- Rejoice
- Rebuild
- Renew
- Recalculate
- Recalibrate
- Renovate
- Reassess
- Repair
- Return
- Recharge
- Refuel
- Recover
As if there was a need for more affirmation (God knows me so well!), during my Sunday devotional time, I read the following from Experiencing God Day By Day by Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby:
"God came to Elijah...in a still, small voice...God's servant was tired, and God brought him comfort...God removed Elijah from the activity for a time, so that he could rest and spend some time with God...when the nation next saw Elijah, he was rejuvenated and refocused on God and His assignment...He (God) will encourage you and provide exactly what you need to prepare you for what comes next."
YES!!! Yes, He does! So, whereas I may not have sand between my toes, I am enjoying and absorbing a little R&R&R...!
A new year for most represents a new chapter filled with renewed hope. A blank slate or canvas, per se, to start over and leave the past behind. For many, a new year is a perfect catalyst or motivator to turn away from something, usually negative, to turn toward a more positive alternative.
Rather than turning away from something in 2018, because that already happened last October and is a topic for another post, I am continuing on my current path of obedience of bringing long-held dreams to life, first as goals and then as reality.
Time and time again leaders, books, and coaches teach that goals have to be written down to come to fruition, otherwise they are just dreams. Goals need to be in front of you as a constant reminder of what you are working for and towards. Sometimes, on your most frustrating days, it even feels as if they are there taunting or daring you to achieve them.
Second to having your goals front and center is accountability. Sharing your goals with others brings a sense of reality to your aspirations; while keeping them to yourself allows for plan B or an out should you miss your mark, milestone or target. If no one knows about your goals then only you know whether or not you were successful in achieving them.
While accountability helps with motivation, opening yourself up to sharing your ambition(s) and intent can also be scary because of opinions and feedback. What if you share your goals with others and they do not agree with or support your plans, or worse yet, what if they think they are foolish, too risky or not risky enough? Do it anyway. Whatever your new chapter looks like, pursue that goal, dream, milestone, or change. Do it afraid, do it alone, and do it without support if necessary. Be brave, write down your goals and share them; not in pursuit of affirmation but for the knowledge that you put it out there, and regardless of what anyone else thinks, you are investing in you, you believe in yourself and your goals, and you will hold yourself accountable. You are worth the effort!
So, I am going to take heed of my own advice and write down my goals and share them. In 2018, we will start a non-profit in our furchild Bailey's memory & honor and I will write, complete and publish my book. New chapters indeed!
