When I was around twenty and off at college, my mom went on a mission trip to Brazil for two weeks. At the time, my sister was sixteen, plenty old enough to cook for Dad while Mom was gone. I do recall that Dad chose to be supportive of her decision, but probably was not super-thrilled at the idea of his sweet wife being gone for so long, and to such a far-flung place.
I remember two other things about her trip: She brought me a beautiful amethyst, and she went with quite a bit of trepidation -- not for fun or adventure or to see the sights, but because she knew it was what she needed to do with her life at that moment. She was called to do it, and so she did. (If you haven't met my mother, you really should. She is just the very finest example of a person, funny, sparkly and strong.)
When I bring up the idea of goals and choosing what needs to happen in the coming year, some of you may think it a selfish trifle, but please reconsider, with my mother's example in mind.
You, better than anyone on this earth, know what you want for yourself, what you need to accomplish, what is calling to you to be/have/do/learn/give, and I think whatever that is needs to happen SOON. I want this for you: to begin living an awakened, impassioned life, a life that feels like it is going where it was meant to go.
Your change might start with something relatively simple. Or it might be huge. Maybe you need to:
- lose the first of twenty pounds so you'll be healthy enough to go walking with friends
- pay off your nagging student loan so you can focus on something more meaningful
- visit that person (you know the one), to make things right before it's too late
- start the group that starts the change that our community needs
- set ego aside and meet with the headhunter about the RIGHT job
- donate a kidney. I hear you laughing! But I know a lady -- really I think one of the nicest ladies who ever lived (hi Marie) -- who did that very thing. She is perfectly fine, probably healthier than you and me, and she saved someone's life (and made a very good friend), because she felt strongly that she must do it.
What do you need to do this year in your social life, your finances, career, your physical life and in the community to be the person you want to be?
That's what we're going to think through in my next LifeInspired group session (see sidebar). Don't worry, you don't have to talk about your stuff, just take some private notes and devote 45 minutes to your future. It's going to be good.
