Thursday, January 24, 2013

You Know that Thing you have be striving for? How is it going?


"joy means the perfect fulfillment of that which I was created... 
not the successful doing of a thing" 
-Oswald Chambers

Initially I think we all buy into the idea that we can become whatever it is we want to be.  We set our sight on something that feels important or equates to what success looks like.  We strive and pursue this goal with all our energy and we make it to the finish line.  We acquire the degree.  We buy in a little more and attain that second degree.  Then we move on to certifications.  Now that those are stockpiled, where is the golden ticket of joy?

These accomplishments many times are just little illusions spinning in the wind that, unless we are able to really bring them together in light of what we are created to be, start to feel downright oppressive.  NOW what are you going to do? You spent all that money on your future, drowning in student loans and you decided you are best fit for running a catering business? You want to work with the homeless? That is not very lucrative you know.  What will your family think? Your friends?  Can you really get past the guilt of all the investment you put into that 'other thing?'

Joy.  Where does it come from?  It seems to me that it comes from a place of contentment.  Even if the title or the label do not align with the degrees and the certifications, you have to decide what you can do to bring yourself into alignment with what you are created to do. And that takes courage. It take determination. And it takes acceptance that the 'thing' you were going for really is NOT the thing


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Thursday, January 17, 2013

If Joy is the Essence of Life Why is it so Hard to Define?


Joy is the word that has been showing up in little ways in my life since this year began.  What is joy?  Why is it necessary?  Joy seems to me to be the essence of life.  The outcome of things you are hoping for but have not accomplished yet. The way you manage your anxiety and your impatience until you fully accomplish what you are working toward.  

Joy.  The whispering of the word brings a smile to my heart.  I want more joy.  I want the byproducts of joy: peace, contentment, a settling in. 

I will be exploring this word all year and I hope you will join me.  I would love to hear from you about your thoughts on joy.  How do you define joy?  What brings you joy?  What is the value of joy?  These are some of the questions I want to explore - won't you join me?

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Sunday, January 13, 2013

How To Know When it is Time to Take a Different Road


I have tackled quite a few things over the last 4 years in an effort to find my creative voice.  Over the last two years these changes have caused me to take a look at some of closest friendships and tell the truth about them... and let them go.  It has been a lonely and sobering year and a half.  When you choose to change, that choice can't help but affect the relationships you maintain.  These changes give them an opportunity to deepen... or not.

2013 feels like a year of taking what I know to be true about my identity as a woman and as a Jesus follower and be at peace with them.  To love who I am more deeply.  To stop apologizing for it.  I believe the work and the art I create this year will hold that deepening.  And I will look on it and say, "Oh! that's why the change was needed."