The latest issue of Success Magazine has arrived in the Good household. On any given day when the magazine first arrives, you can find one of us carrying it around, keeping it handy to fill a free moment.
That moment arrived for me just this morning during Jude’s nap. I flopped into one of our old leather club chairs for an inspirational read. It did not disappoint.
There was an article that really caught my attention and drew me in.
The article was talking about how so many people reach their peak success and look back on their lives and realize they missed out on a whole lot of living. Success was achieved in one area of their lives, but neglected in many others.
The realization of this would often lead to mental and physical problems which would set in suddenly. When their source of significance faded, so did their health and their purpose in life.
I thought about my own life and realized this can be a lesson for all of us to learn whether you are a stay at home mom or a high level investment banker. We can get so focused on our immediate role that we often neglect to nurture the heart of who we really are. And, when our role changes, we are lost.
We have forgotten to invest in the person God created us to be all along!
“Who are you, and why are you here?” Those words rip through my own head and heart like lightening.
I’ve heard some people say, “My kids are my life. I am completely fulfilled being a mom or dad.” Well, what about when your kids leave? Yes, they are a huge and important part of your life, but you were a separate person before your kids came along and will be after they leave.
I’ve also heard some people say, “I just want to love and serve Jesus.” Well duh; so do I! But how exactly are you going to do it? How are you going to use your skills and abilities to bless those around you and therefore mirror the love and servant heart of Jesus?
Too often we get our roles mixed up with our callings. Calling goes so much deeper than roles which are immediate and change with time.
Here are a couple things that point to calling:
– Things that make you tick
– Things that make you come alive
– Things that make your heart beat faster
– Things that make your eyes sparkle
– Things you do well without much effort
Here are a couple things that make me feel alive and I am pursuing them with passion! Reading, learning, words, writing, starting businesses, blogging, studying what makes people do the things they do, riding horses, mountains, water, laughing, traveling, and meeting new people.
Cultivate a well rounded and full life so that when situations change, which they will, you will still be an individual full of life. You will be ready to face the next challenge or adventure life has to offer.
Let’s take advantage of ALL the years we have been given.
Question: What makes you tick, makes your eyes sparkle, and makes you come alive?
Claudia that was beautifully said! I thoroughly agree. I have ALWAYS wanted to be a mom and God graciously blessed me with 3 of the most amazing kids in the world! I will always be a mom – but as they have grown up and slowly are leaving the nest – I have not only worked a job – but I’ve been building this coaching business and now my “side” businesses with Beyond Organic and JDI Stem Cell Multis. What makes my eyes sparkle and my heart beat faster is doing something that I believe in that will help people live healthier lives and draw them closer to Jesus. I chose those side businesses with that in mind – both run by strong Christian men with strong Christian values – and have structured my coaching in this way as well. I like how you made the distinction between role and calling. Great picture – you are both gorgeous!
Beautiful Ann!
I love that you love being a mom, but have also grown and cultivated your interests! I’m sure you and those around you are benefitting because you are an alive and thriving person to be around!
When did you begin pursuing these “side” businesses?? Do you plan on growing these into your “main” businesses?
mmm very well put! For me? Working with people, baking, design design design, listening to people’s hearts, working outside, traveling, quiet moments alone, learning new ideas & perspectives, family, relationships, growing things, surfing, creativity and loving.
Love it, Crystal! It’s great to see how you’ve made many of those things a part of your life.
Crystal,
I see that these things make your eyes sparkle! I am excited to see where these passions take you in life. Wherever you go… you will leave a wake of blessings in your path… you are a joy to be around my dear!
You’ve hit on a pet peeve of mine – when people mistake their roles as their callings. It just grates on me like fingernails on a chalkboard. Okay, I feel better now…Things that make me tick: writing about living intentionally, taking a picture-perfect photo of Creation, engaging in meaningful conversation, traveling to new places, hiking a mountain, reading, learning, and contemplating God and life.
Chris,
hahaha, glad you could get that out of your system! 🙂
Realizing the difference was very freeing for me! I remember listening to Gary Barkalow and just crying because I had never heard what he was talking about before and it really rang true in my life… I just hadn’t been able to put words to the feelings I had, but he did beautifully!
It is so cool that you are pursuing your passions Chris! I am sure you are a fuller, more alive person for it! Are you pursuing writing full time??
Gary’s calling course is one of my all-time favorites as well. As you said, I had never heard calling discussed this way either. It changed my life!
As far as writing, my plan is to continue building my platform so I can begin to sell ebooks and eventually publish a book. So, it will definitely be a big component of my business as it takes shape.
Love Gary’s stuff too, Chris. I look forward to you building your platform and getting some more stuff out there!
When I’ve mentioned Calling to people, they have that notion that Calling = Vocation, which I am glad it’s not. What if I lost my job as an engineer and ended up digging ditches? Would I have lost my calling?
I am your typically introvert-type I reckon: I love reading, writing, learning new things, hiking, being in nature. I also love to hear stories from people older than me who are very wise. I love being creative with my daughter.
I’m glad it’s not as well Michael!
Wow, cool! Have you ever compiled your stories from talking to older/wiser people?? That would make a good book 😉
What creative things do you do with your daughter?
Claudia, I have been mulling and mulling over this. I quizzed my mom last week on some dates and events in her past and I’m thinking of all the stories she’s told over the years, that i have not gathered. Others like my mother’s 92 yr old aunt who I used to visit every Saturday – just wished I could have written it down! Now, it’s gotten quite vague. I do want to recount my years growing up in my dad’s country store, where there were tons of characters to draw from – at least in some book form for my daughter. I am a poor storyteller verbally and maybe this will help get it out.
My daughter and I – we just make up stories with stuffed animals, pretend to be different characters, take turns being the “bad guy”. Pretending that sticks and rocks will grow. She loves to create stories and pictures to go with them more than anything else. We will often sit side by side with the same theme or topic and then compare each others’ creativity.
Having a child is reclaiming much of my own childhood – it’s great!
Michael,
That sounds like it would make a great story! I think that is really cool that you are thinking about putting it into a book. What a great way to record some of your history and tell live changing stories 😉
Wow, you are a cool dad! Your daughter will have such great memories of fun times with her dad. That is a wonderful gift for your little girl!
Michael,
What you do with your daughter is really cool! Those memories will last a lifetime.
“We can get so focused on our immediate role that we often neglect to
nurture the heart of who we really are. And, when our role changes, we
are lost.”
so, so good. I tend to give my attention to many different projects at once… but I STILL neglect to nurture the heart of who I really am. Josh brought my attention to a few things this weekend where I have not been fully-present. It was crappy to hear, but I needed to hear it. I feel like this is all tying together for me. I need to be present in my immediate role, but not lose the essence/heart of who I really am.
I am really digging the topics you are sharing on!
Hey thanks for that Alana! Appreciate it.
oh yes… the crappy but much needed pep talk to get back on track. Indeed. I love those and dread them at the same time ;-/
You are a neat lady thats for sure!
This is something that I’ve really struggled with the past few years. I’m fighting hard to get that sparkle back in my eyes. I’m so looking forward to our trip next month. Things like this are what I hope to really get energized about!
Ryan, we’re looking forward to it as well!
You and Ashley have been SUPER busy for the past while, but it’s about to pay off. I think it’ll help once you’re moved, down to one job, and have more time to do more of the things that are important to you. I know all your work is going to pay off big time!
Yeah. I think so, too. I’m SO ready!
what makes me tick? running, thinking, blogging, reading, intimacy (can I say that out loud?) time with my kiddos, time alone, time with my best buds, and watching my work WORK. I can tell when I haven’t been nurturing me…. and so can my hubby and fam. Prioritization of my calling is actually prioritizing LIFE. Thanks for this post…. fresh, relevant, real.
hahaha, yes, you can say that out loud 😉
ooooh interesting way to say it Angel, Prioritization of my calling is actually prioritizing LIFE… I love it!