When Passion and Purpose Meet

Today I am linking up with Jill Savage and Hearts at Home for Third Thursday Thoughts.  This month's theme is Unleash Your Power to Inspire. 

We have been blessed with a purpose.

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.  Do not forsake the work of your hands."  Psalm 138:8

We have been blessed with gifts and talents which will help us fulfill this purpose, but piecing together the puzzle may leave us with feelings of frustration, restlessness, doubt, and fear.  We may have to try and fail many times, but be steadfast in your faith, listen to your heart, and do not give up. 

"Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you."  1 Timothy 4:14

We have been blessed with a passion and when we partake in activities that incorporate this passion while simultaneously fulfilling our purpose, an indescribable feeling washes over us.  Our hearts are filled with joy and in that moment we realize we have found our way.  All of the hard work, restlessness, frustration, doubt, and fear were worth it.

I can attest to this, because, after searching for many years, I have found my way.      

Throughout my journey, I have listened to the whisper in my heart.  I may not have been obedient the first, second, or even the third time I heard that whisper, but in time I have listened.  After high school I went to college to pursue a degree in education.  I spent five years teaching before leaving my career behind to start my new career as a stay-at-home mom.  Four kids and eight years later I still hold that title, but I have added another title to my resume.  One that ties all of the steps of my journey together.    

From the time I was a young girl, I have loved to help others.  The smallest gestures brought me great joy and those memories have lived on inside of me for nearly three decades.  I am now in my mid-thirties and have reached a point in my life where I can say with absolute certainty I am fulfilling my purpose.

A few years ago a childhood friend and I had a little idea.  We were each doing a service project with our families at Christmastime:  her family was making fleece tie blankets and mine was collecting books for children in need.  A lightbulb came on inside of us and we decided to pair the two together and gift them to children at-risk in our community in an effort to promote literacy.  

What started off as a simple concept has grown into a thriving non-profit known as From Cover to Cover.  This week we met with legal council and are thrilled to be moving forward to become an official 501(c)3 organization.  We currently serve the children in our community, but it our hope to expand this program by organizing subchapters lead by volunteers throughout the country.

In two years we have provided nearly 600 kindergarten students with the gift of a book and a blanket and distributed over 3000 new and used books to help children at-risk build their own home libraries.  A few weeks ago we sponsored a visit by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt, an author and illustrator, who shared an amazing inspirational message with nearly 700 low-income children about staying true to themselves, working hard, and following their dreams.   Lives were changed during her visit.  Ours included.

Our journey has only just begun and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.  I have stepped out of my comfort zone time and time again, learned new skills, and dedicated hours to raising funds to fulfill our mission and reach as many children in our area as possible.  Each time we host an event, my heart swells with joy.  I feel overwhelmingly fulfilled.  I soak it all in and come home with the burning desire to do more.  To plan the next event.  To find the money to make it happen...and I do it.

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35

Serving the children in my community inspires me.  Every hug, every thank you, every smile...the way their faces light up when they receive their book and blanket is priceless.  Combining my passion for education and God-given gifts has lead me to my purpose and for that I am truly blessed.

2015 is the year to get it done!  Listen to the whisper and find your passion.  It will lead you to a wonderful place.

       

       

   

Progress

The end of March is right around the corner and with that a quarter of 2015 will have passed.  Those cold winter months weren't wasted in our house and we hope to have a little spring in our step now that the weather will (hopefully) be warming up.  I've continued to keep notes in my "Get It Done" notebook and have enjoyed crossing off some of the "to-do's" in various categories.

I had high hopes around our house during the month of March.  My spring cleaning got off to a banging start, but amid the countless cases of strep throat and life's many unexpected twists and turns my efforts got derailed a bit.  I'm not throwing in the towel yet, after all I still have a few more days in March left, but I'm okay with the progress, though imperfect, that I made.  In due time this house will be decluttered and cleaned well, but until then I'll be content with accomplishing what my time allows each day.

I think the biggest area of progress during these first few months has been on the financial front.  After committing to finally utilizing a budget and focusing on the steps found in Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, I am thrilled that my husband and I have moved on to step 3.  We are officially debt-free (other than our mortgage of course) and moving on to building up our six month savings.  We are both pretty ecstatic about our progress the past few months and are looking forward to the next step of the journey.  Our budget is going well and it has been amazing how less-stressed we are about money.  We know where our money is going and what a difference it has made.

I'll wrap it up with one other area I am so pleased has shown progress:  relationships.  By intentionally scheduling time for this area, we have been able to spend time out with our friends, both together and alone, gone on date nights, taken our kids on some fun, but simple, outings, and, gasp, I even snuck away for a night to attend the Hearts at Home conference with a few girlfriends.  While there is still room for improvement in this area, some serious progress has been made and it has been fun and refreshing.

So, cheers to three months into the journey of "2015: The Year to Get It Done."  Hoping this next month holds many bright, warm, and sunny days and the opportunity to set some goals and achieve them.  Good luck!

A Little Perspective

Perspective.  As individuals, our circumstances and experiences allow us to have a perspective that might differ from others.  In fact, two people can see and experience an identical situation and have two very different views and accounts of what happened.  Perhaps this has happened to you and lead to some misunderstanding, or even a fallout, with another person because of these differing views. You see, it is so very easy to jump to conclusions, judge another, or feel inferior to those whose perspectives on life we simply don't understand because we have not lived life through their eyes. We have not walked a mile in their shoes and, therefore, cannot fully appreciate their unique perspective.

I think it is fair to say many people assume the surface impression they have of a person is indicative of their life behind closed doors.

-Live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood?  They must be rich.
-Stay at home with your children?  They must have a lot of free time on your hands
-Out on a date with your spouse?  They must have a good marriage.
-Receiving assistance from the government?  They must be lazy.
-Always smiling?  They must have no problems.

While these are just a few examples of how we may perceive someone's life to be from the snapshot impression we have of them, the truth may be much different.  We cannot understand another's circumstance without walking in their shoes.  We cannot truly know someone by only scratching the surface.  We cannot assume to know someone's story by hearing second-hand accounts.

While I am certainly not hear to say I have never judged a book by it's cover, I am hear to tell you that the book may look very different on the inside than you could ever imagine.  The family with the nice house may have sacrificed the extras and worked really hard to save up money for years to be able to afford that home.  The stay-at-home mom may have very little time to herself between the responsibilities she has taking care of her family, managing the home, and giving of her time to help others.  The couple out on the date may be fighting for their marriage and working on forgiveness. The person in need of government assistance may have lost a job they held for years, be facing mounting medical bills due to illness, or lost their partner.  The person who is always smiling may be wearing a mask to hide the pain and heartbreak they are experiencing.

We simply never know what another's circumstance may be and oddly enough, those circumstances can change at the drop of a hat.  While we cannot control what happens from one day to the next, we can make the choice let our pre-conceived notions about others go.  We can choose patience, understanding, and empathy rather than anger, irritation, and judgement.  If given the opportunity, we can reach further than the surface and take the time to really get to know people.

I encourage you to reach out to one person this week, take the time to ask them how they're doing, and really listen.  Inquire about their interests.  Ask them about their family.  Set aside what you think you know and you may be surprised to find something entirely different lies beneath the surface. Your perception of them may change and with any luck, it will be the beginning of a change that will bring much joy and peace to your life.

  



 

The Struggle to Just "Be"

What if we removed all of the unnecessary extras from our lives?  Would we feel more relaxed, less stressed, and more at peace or would the opposite occur?  Would we feel unsettled, more stress because we're missing out, or dare I say, lost, because we're not running ourselves to the bone?  It's an experiment worth exploring and an idea that's being weighing heavy on my heart for the past few weeks.  What if I reduced the amount of "stuff" I fill my days with and instead concentrate on just a few things.

Today I came across this post on the epidemic of busyness.  We're so accustomed to being busy that not having anything to do causes us to feel uncomfortable.  How sad.  I am just as guilty as the next person at being busy, though much of my busyness occurs within the walls of my home.  Truth be told, I am a bit of a homebody, at least during the day.  I have a difficult time sitting still and feeling content just "being."  I can sit and happily read for hours, but I have a hard time just sitting...period.

So, what gives?  How am I going to un-busy my life.  For the meantime, I am going to take a step back and let go what doesn't have to be done.  While I take great joy in expressing my thoughts through writing, I am going to continue to take a step back and write once a week, at most.  Though I am itching at the bit to start a new business venture, I am going to wait until all is good on the home front and the timing is right.

Instead, I am going to focus on my family, my home, my well-being, and my charity.  Sounds a little selfish, "my, my, my," but in my eyes, it is so very unselfish.  To be happy, content, and fulfilled, I need to focus on my husband and children.  I need to create a home that is peaceful and simple.  I need to take care of my physical health, spend time with my friends, and reflect on ways to re-energize and refresh.  Lastly, I need to tend to the activities and networking that needs to be done to ensure our charity continues to grow and serve our community.

I think it is safe to say all of the aforementioned activities will take time, but it will be time well spent.  By nature I am a go-getter.  It hard for me to slow down, but it is time to pull the pedal back a bit and let some things go.  It is time to re-train the brain and simply enjoy "being."

  

The Brain Never Rests

The cold is pressing down on us again and I must admit, I am feeling restless, impatient, and bored. Winter is always a difficult time for me.  I don't know if it's the cold weather, lack of sunshine, or short days, but I struggle each and every year during these long winter months.  Though I may not feel quite like myself, these feelings tend to get my mind churning and with that comes more big ideas.

I am blessed to be married to a patient man who is very supportive and accepting of me and my ideas. Sure, there are times when he might look at me like I've lost my mind, but for the most part he is happy to listen and entertain whatever my tireless brain has come up with next.  I am my father's daughter and that can't be helped.  I'm pretty proud to take after him.

Part of my restlessness stems from my constant brainstorming about how to help out financially around our house.  Staying at home with my kids is a must, so my goal is to create a business where I primarily work from home.  Over the years I've had several ideas, but none have ever quite panned out.  Sure, it's been discouraging and frustrating, but I'm not going to quit dreaming and working to turn one of my big ideas into a successful business venture.

I was sharing my newest idea with some friends this morning.  I'm pretty sure most people think I'm certifiably crazy some days, but this dreaming and planning and aspiring is what makes me feel alive and tick.  As my dear friend said told me this morning, "If you stop dreaming you become stagnant."
I don't want to become stagnant.  I want to keep chasing those dreams knowing each one is leading me closer to my destination.  Only time will tell when I've made it there.

    

When One Door Closes, Another One Opens

I am an ambitious person.  It seems like my mind rarely rests and there are always a wide array of ideas floating around in my head.  At times I am quick to act on them and dive in head-first with enthusiasm ready to tackle the world.  A few of those ideas have been successful, but plenty more have failed.  When failure has been the outcome, I have let feelings of frustration and defeat consume me.

Failure is not fun.  No one enjoys failing.  I know I certainly don't, but just because I have failed doesn't mean there aren't lessons to be learned.  Those lessons are valuable and though I may not understand them at the time, those closed doors are simply a part of my journey.  As hard as it may be to accept, those lessons play an integral part in shaping who I am as a person and guiding me down the right path.

Have you ever been disappointed in the outcome of pursuing an idea only to later realize if it had worked out, your current path wouldn't be possible?  Sometimes, when we are feeling restless or pressured, we try to force ourselves into believing we have the perfect plan to remedy the situation. We try to implement this plan, but to our disappointment the results are less than desirable.  At the time we may feel crushed and wonder why this has happened, but in time another door opens and the light comes on.  We have an "Aha" moment and realize all of the pain and disappointment we may have experienced was for not.  This door that has opened may bring us more joy and fulfillment than we could have ever imagined had our original plan worked out.

In the past year I have experienced this first-hand.  Last winter I was knee deep in one of my big ideas.  I planned to use my education and experience to open a preschool in my small town.  Initially I was discouraged because I couldn't find a location that would work, but one Sunday evening, on our anniversary no less, I received an email from the pastor at a nearby church expressing interest in being the location for the preschool.  The door had opened.

After a few months of meeting with the pastor and working with state officials everything appeared to be coming together.  I hired an architect to draw out the plans to be submitted to the state.  He thought there would be no problems, so I had my first meeting to share my preschool philosophy and plans with potential student's parents.  Everything was moving along so well until one day the rug was pulled out.

The state reviewed the architect's plans and there were problems.  The fire marshall mandated some very expensive and extensive work be done before the preschool could be opened at the church.  I was crushed as these alterations could not be made and the preschool was put on an indefinite hold.

Fast-forward a year.  From Cover to Cover, the charitable organization I co-founded, has grown immensely.  Not only have we expanded our programs, but we are sharing our mission with civic organizations in our area.  Nearly every month I have a speaking engagement in addition to meeting with school administrators and facilitating the programs at our targeted schools.  I also spend hours working on fundraising and writing grants each month.  The majority of these activities take place during the day and if I were running a preschool and teaching, I would not have the opportunity to serve these children.

Few things, other than my family, bring me more joy than the work I have done with From Cover to Cover.  Actively working with children from low income homes fills my heart.  Providing these children with a treasured gift (the blanket) and a necessary tool that could lead to a brighter future (the books) will never get old.  The excitement, smiles, and sweet thank you's from the kids bring tears to my eyes each time.  The addition of Family Literacy Nights has sweetened the deal even more, as now we get to work with parents, too.

The door that closed on my preschool has lead to countless open doors in the past year.  The disappointment that consumed me has given way to joy and fulfillment.  We have been able to reach out to hundreds of local school children and share our message about the importance of reading and, in turn, they have received a gift lovingly made by one of our generous volunteers.

It has all come full circle and I can see now that my plan was not a part of His plan.  We must be faithful and trust when one door closes another will open.  It may be hard to wait, but if we are patient and willing to trust in His plan, great things will happen.  If you hold a big dream close to your heart and hit a roadblock, do not despair.  God works in mysterious ways.  The big picture may not be clear to you, but in time it will reveal itself.  Just do yourself a favor-never give up.

I Have a Dream

"I have a dream."  One of the most famous speeches in our history is the inspiration for today's post.  We all know this great work from Martin Luther King Jr.  His desire and passion for racial equality was heard round the globe.  Ultimately his perseverance and dedication to this cause lead to his death, but his life had a purpose.  He followed his heart and made a difference.

So, the question of today is simple:  what is your dream?  What makes you come alive?  Are you pursuing this dream or waiting for the right time to begin I've got a little secret for you:  If you're waiting around for the right time, the time is now.  If you're a parent, like me, there are always going to be reasons to put our desires and dreams on the back burner.  There will never be enough time or money, our spouse and kids will always need us, and the housework, errands, and cooking will never end, but so what.  We were put on this earth to fulfill our purpose.  It's time to get busy doing just that. 

We all have talents.  We all have a cause or area in our lives we feel passionate about.  So why are we wasting our precious time and ignoring them?  Because we feel guilty if we do.  It's time to push the guilt aside and get to work.

I'll be the first to admit I'm a dreamer.  It is hard for me to narrow down what dream I should pursue first!  I have spent many hours conjuring up the perfect plan to make my dreams a reality, but have been derailed many times.  I've let small bumps in the road get me down.  I've been discouraged and given up.  I've realized the timing was not right and pushed it aside.  This year, though, is different.  I am going to persevere.

This year I am going to write a book.  I love to write.  For me there is no better outlet than writing.  When I am feeling happy or sad, uplifted or discouraged, elated or angry I tend to release these feelings in a journal or in Word.  For years this has been my outlet.  My goal is to document "The Year to Get Sh*t Done" and use these experiences to write a book.  

In the end my book may only be read by me or perhaps a few others.  With any stroke of luck I will find this year to be incredibly inspiring and the story that unfolds will offer encouragement and inspiration to others.  Who knows what the future holds.  Regardless, I am going to write my book and turn my dream into a reality.

So what's it going to be?  Are you going to push your dreams aside or will you take the first steps toward fulfilling them?  I hope you'll consider taking the first step.  Life's too short not to!

You Are What You Read?

Today I was cleaning my room (do I sound like a kid or what?) and had a bit of a revelation.  Sound strange?  Stick with me for a bit.  In order to dust off my night stand I had to remove a large pile of books.  They are all books I have read in the past, but have been placed on my night stand to be read again.  While reading the titles, I couldn't help but smile and found myself thinking about the power of the words we read.

The big revelation?  If you want to be inspired to make a change, are looking for encouragement, or simply a little lost and looking for direction, hop online and find a good non-fiction book and dive in. The beauty of our technological advances is this:  there's a book for everything, people have read it, and many have plenty of reviews to help you make an informed decision about whether to spend your precious time reading it.

While I'm all for getting lost in a fiction book now and then (I just finished one by one of my favorite authors), I find reading quality non-fiction books is truly life-altering.  Sometimes we just need a push to break out of our comfort zone and a book may be just the thing to do it.  I am a bit embarrassed to admit that up until three years ago the only books I ever read were fiction.  I received a copy of Kisses from Katie and devoured it in a few sittings.  Once I finished reading it, I couldn't wait to get my hands on another uplifting story.

I made the switch and now primarily read non-fiction with a few books by my favorite authors sprinkled in.  In the past two years I've fallen in love with some awesome Christian writers, like Jen Hatmaker, Kristen Welch, Holley Gerth, and Lysa TerKeurst, as well as authors living a lifestyle I admire, like Tsh Oxenreider.  My husband and I just finished Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover and are more motivated than ever to take control of our finances.  A few years ago I read Daring Greatly by Brene Brown for the first time and have been on a mission to do just that ever since.

Words are powerful.  They make you consider your current circumstances and find ways in which you may like to change or improve upon them.  They can leave you feeling invigorated and motivated to take control of your life and bust out of your comfort zone.  You may even come across a book which touches on some of your fears and insecurities and help you realize you're not alone.

Whatever the case, I encourage you to find a book that speaks to you.  It may impact your life in ways you never imagined.  To think all of this can happen within the pages held in your hand is truly amazing.

Don't Let Another Year Pass You By...And a Giveaway!

Today marks the end of another year.  It sounds so cliche, but the older I get the faster the years seem to turn.  Can you believe it was already fifteen years ago we were preparing to celebrate the millennium with such great anticipation?  I certainly cannot.

Time can be so hard to manage.  Our generation is stuck in the rat race.  We are pulled in so many directions, distracted by modern conveniences, over-scheduled, and living in excess.  Unfortunately, we are passing this lifestyle on to the next generation and if we don't make a conscious effort to slow down and bit and simplify, our children will more than likely live at a speed even faster than ours, if that's even possible.

Perhaps you're a little bit confused:  here I have declared 2015 "The Year to Get It Done," yet I am talking about slowing down and simplifying.  Let me explain.

Each day I find myself wishing I would get this or that done around the house.  Instead of making the decision to work on it, I tend to put many of these tasks off.  Little things, like cleaning out the pantry or catching up on the kids' photos, add up to what feels like an insurmountable amount.  If I rid myself of distraction and designate some time each day to tackle these projects, not only would they get done, but it would be so fulfilling to turn the "I wish" to "I did."

Let's look at another angle.  We have many great ideas to spice up our family time.  By carefully managing our time both during the day and week, our weekends and evenings will be freed up to either resume or start back up some family traditions.  We used to play a game every night with our older two kids before they went to bed.  Once we expanded our family, that tradition sadly went away.  While it may not be realistic to play a game each night before bed, we certainly could slow down and designate one night a week as family game night.

While it may be The Year to Get It Done, that does not mean adding more to our overly-filled schedules.  Instead, we need to evaluate our lives.  We should choose to spend our time engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment and let go of those that don't.  We need to find what motivates us.  We need to consider all of those projects, ideas, and goals we have put off until the right time comes along and make 2015 the right time.

Let's band together and let go of complacency.  Let's make 2015 The Year We Get It Done!

To start the year off right, one lucky reader will win a copy of one of the inspirational books I love:  Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider.  Here is how you can qualify to win:  "Like" my Facebook page and share it with your friends.  Leave a comment below stating one goal you'd like to achieve this year.  For an extra entry, sign up via email to follow my blog.  The contest will end at 7:00 P.M. CST.  The winner will be announced January 2nd! *This contest is now closed!

It is my hope we can create a positive, supportive online community.  When life gets in the way, we'll be here to pick each other up.  I hope you'll join us!

 


    












   

Finding the Inspiration

Christmas has come and gone and the New Year is right around the corner!  In order to be off and running when the calendar changes, I want to ensure I have some of my favorite motivational reading material pulled from the bookshelf and placed on my night stand.  Over the past few years I've read many wonderful, inspiring books which I wholeheartedly believe have lead me to this point.

To begin this journey, I will be dusting off and cracking open these six books:    

1.  Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider

     -If you're looking to purge, organize, and thoroughly clean your home, this is the book for you!

2.  The Best Yes by Lisa TerKeurst

     -Having some trouble with over-committing and time management?  Be sure to check this one out.

3.  Rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch

     -An inspiring story about struggle, surrender, and finding your purpose.  She also has a great blog!

4.  Seven by Jen Hatmaker

     -We live in a world of excess.  Her family's year-long journey is intriguing and entertaining.

5.  Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

     -May be my all-time favorite.  This one is a must in my eyes.  

6.  Notes From a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider

     -If you're looking to live a simpler life and sifting through the noise, this is a great choice.

If you have some extra Christmas cash, I highly recommend buying some of the above-mentioned books.  Each of our journeys to get sh*t done will be unique.  Don't add anything to your reading list that doesn't feel like it fits within your goals.  Time is precious.  Use it wisely! 

The Declaration

This year I hit the magical number:  35.  Some theorize this is the age people start to feel an urgency to pave a solid path to walk on.  Many find it is a time to contemplate this very important question: what do I want to accomplish in this life?  If you've hit this age,  you may find yourself in a similar place.  The carefree years of our twenties are behind us.  We've had our share of fun, made plenty of mistakes, worked our first "real" job, and perhaps gotten married and started a family.  We've transitioned into our thirties and now found ourselves smack dab between thirty and that "f" word. You know.  Forty.

I am not sure if it's the number or my current season of life, but I have been struck with the desire to stop making excuses, mismanaging my time, and putting things off until the timing is right.  The truth is, the timing will probably never be any better than it is now.  All of those nagging little "to-do's," dreams, and goals need not be put on hold anymore.  I have dubbed 2015 as, "The Year to Get It Done"...and I have every intention of doing just that.

You might be thinking this sounds like a lofty declaration.  You may also be wondering what the heck I'm talking about.  What is it I want to get done?  I have been taking the month of December to carefully consider my goals and dreams and jotting them down in a notebook.  Thus far I've come up with several categories which encompass nearly every facet of my life:  finance, business, home organization, home projects, health and exercise, traveling, family time, relationships, faith, and service.  Within each category I have written my ideas and goals.  It's been very therapeutic.  I have strategically placed it on my nightstand and some nights when my mind is racing, I take the time to write down my thoughts before drifting off to sleep.

Naturally this journey includes my husband as well, so amping up the communication is a huge component.  We've spent some time discussing where we currently are and where we'd like to be in many of these areas.  In order to fulfill our goals and make some of our dreams come true, we're going to have to be on the same page.  This year will be a wonderful opportunity to grow as a couple and strengthen our relationship.

The bright yellow notebook has become the blueprint for the year ahead.  Items will be crossed off, new ideas added, and a whole lot of notes will be taken in the process.  There is no set schedule.  I have no plan for focusing on one particular area each month nor have I devised any systematic way to tackle my goals.  Instead, I am looking forward to committing to the journey and letting it unfold as it may. While there is a need to set some short and long-term goals in some areas (like finance and travel), the majority of the other areas are open to flexibility and growing as a person, wife, mother, and friend.  

Are you tired of putting things off?  Have a bucket list you'd like to tackle?  Then join in the journey. Follow along on Facebook or sign up for email updates and keep yourself on track to make it a fun and successful year.  Grab a notebook, jot down your thoughts and goals in the areas you find important, and see where you end up a year from now.  2015 is right around the corner and it is, after all, the year to get it done.