I did.
The last nine months have gone by in an agonizingly-slow flash, if that makes any sense at all. I understand it. But that's just me.
I was reading an article this morning from an old magazine, and it was about 'dusting off your dreams.' I have saved it in my Bible for many years, and I take it out and read it periodically. Today it was almost jumping out of the pages for me to peruse once again. It may actually be taking hold now.
The article is about never feeling like you've lost out on the dreams for your life. It's about being re-born into the person God created you to be.
I needed to listen. Especially today.
The article says to think about the things that excite you, things that you enjoy doing... to make a list of the things that make you feel vibrant inside. So many of us get caught up in keeping up, and the world starts to trample us down, starts to swallow us and our dreams. After a while, we just try to survive. I'm not talking financially, I'm speaking of the heart. We go down roads we weren't meant to go down, just because it was the easiest thing to do, or because it was what someone else thought we should do. But it becomes this giant hole that keeps getting deeper, and all of a sudden one day you look up and see the Light... really far away. You want to climb out, but it seems overwhelming. So most people just stay.
In reality, it just takes a change of heart, a change of mind. And the ability to remember, in your soul, where your smile is.
We need to pay attention to the "heart tugs" that we feel... You know, those little 'tugs' inside where God is trying to get you to listen. Where He's trying to get you to see the picture of you that He sees. The 'you' that will prosper and glow because you're doing what you were meant to do. The things that excite you and make you happy are part of who you are, and too many of us have put those thoughts to rest to work our 9-to-5's. But we don't need what the world has programmed us to need... We just need to be who we were meant to be.. who we were created, by God, to be.
I read another book, not long ago, that when you're doing what you are meant to do, it won't seem like work to you at all, and you'll enjoy every day. That's what I want. No, that's what I need!
So, sit quietly and think about what your heart tugs are... the thoughts that make your soul smile.
Then, start taking steps, even if just little ones, in that direction.
These last few months have caused me to ponder many things... Then again, I have always been great at daydreaming. :) But in reality, this earthly life is a short one, and it can disappear or change in the blink of an eye.
How do you want to be remembered? As a crazy, busy person, running in different directions, so stressed that you can't sleep or enjoy time with loved ones? Angry? Upset? Depressed?
Or do you long to be someone filled with that "Peace" and doing what you love?
Because that's who God created you to be.
My granddaughter drew a picture for me that we spoke of together, of a nice peaceful place where I wanted to live. She drew a log cabin next to a river, with a fence of lilacs and a background of mountains and pines. In the distance there is an apple tree, with a wonderfully large ladder and swing, and the most perfect tree house. I want to breathe in the summer days in that tree house, then curl up in front of the fireplace in that cabin on cold, winter evenings... living the creative life that's inside me. It's perfect. And the princess stickers sealed the deal. :)
My heart tugs? Most all of the arts, quilting, photography, journaling, writing, a cabin in the woods, peace, solitude, creating/building things with my hands, self-employment, nature, gardens, love. Using the gifts given to me to be who God created me to be....
That's what I want. What I need. That's where I'm headed.
Just some sunny-afternoon meanderings. Cries, really.
Yes, urgent inner quiet cries...
Be Blessed,
Cheri ♥
