Your Bucket List

Just the other day, my family drove to Candler Park. It was quite the perfect spring day.  All four kids darted off to claim a swing, a rung on the monkey bars, or chase lightning bugs.  My husband and I headed toward our favorite bench, perfect for keeping our eyes on the kids.

Before I made it to the bench though, I noticed a flyer attached to the lightpost.  It was an advertisement for a local pop-up shop event.  Just the photo alone boasted exquisite linens, pillows, and other handmade wares for sale.  I thought, what a fantastic idea, but I said, with a huff, "Why can't I do that?  Why can't I have a sale, too?"

As soon as those words escaped my lips, I turned to my husband and asserted, "I could do that.  Yes, I can have a sale, too."  He nodded and verbalized his support.

So, what if time has gone by like 'sands through the hourglass?'  Time flies when we're having fun. It's far too easy to lose time and miss opportunities when life makes a million demands on us.  Old dreams that once pumped through our hearts have gone unfulfilled and lay tucked away in a forgotten chest in the attic.

Despite our intentions, life just had other plans for us.  The road we've traveled has been more about the needs and expectations of everyone else.  The hours have been about arriving at the destination of someone else's choosing.

Here is the truth.  You can make a new bucket list today. Cater this new list of aspirations to all your experiences, strengths, and yearnings.  Put little things, big things, even "silly" unusual things on the list.  No matter our age, the honest pursuit of a goal can be more fulfilling and more intoxicating than checking off gifts on a Christmas wish list.

If you desire and choose, it is possible to move in a completely new direction.  Be bold enough to paint in your mind a picture of your life- the one in your wildest dreams.  Dare to claim what others believe you can never achieve and should never attempt.  Have the courage to move things around, usher in new players if necessary, and take a chance on yourself.

Let your new bucket list or the revised one give you power.  Yes, there may be obstacles.  However, the no's we believe and tell ourselves daily remain our largest hurdles.  Like bullies, those negative thoughts stand guard against hope.  Now is the time to stand up for yourself.  Those bullies can't tell you 'no' or shut you down any longer.

You can pursue any goal you witness.  You can dream any dream.  Moving forward and upward toward your dream is possible for you.  If you see anyone else on the planet doing it, achieving it, or living it, it is possible for you.  You are exceptional enough to be dedicated enough to make it happen. There is time to do what you love.  You can live life in a way that's meaningful to you.  With faith, patience, and determination, you can make your bucket list come true, too.

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Don't Feel Bad

Don't allow anyone to make you feel bad about where you are in life.  Focus on everything you have right now and where God is taking you.

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Room for What Inspires You

Most of us have to make a living in this world. There are few, if any, ways for us to avoid the responsibilities and requirements of breathing on planet Earth.

Most of us have at least five entities in our pockets reaching for their portion of our money.  The mortgage companies, leasing offices, power companies, credit card companies, grocery stores, and governments could care less about the quality of your life or the dominion God has already given to you.  Their bottom line stays strong and shines when we’re in full acceptance of the status quo.  They don’t want you to grow and change because it may threaten their grip and control over you.  Think of the sacrifice of time you dedicate to your financial obligations.  Then ask yourself if what you’re receiving is worth what you’re giving.

While we’re living for the weekend, six weeks of maternity leave, planning our little two-week vacation, calling in sick just to have me-time, and counting down the years until retirement, someone is free to be, to think, to plan, to rest, and to breathe.  They are free to be free.

How are their rights greater than yours?  Are they more-deserving than the rest of us?  Most of us can’t just walk away from our lives.  Most of us can’t instantly take our circumstances and make a complete U-turn into the lap of freedom.  Our responsibilities are just too deep and long-standing.  We can’t just change our minds.  Many of our commitments carry penalties for cancellations. We’ve had to make promises and sign in blood, but no one has to promise us anything.  No one carries any responsibilities to us.

In the face of all these facts and the current life choices on our plates, we can get back to what inspires us. We are responsible to what inspires us.

Let’s make room for our dreams.  Your spirit knows what it wants…needs actually.  As adults, we have been taught to make paying bills a priority.  I’ve heard, “It’s what adults do” in many conversations.  For some, it seems to be the only badge of adulthood.  Paying bills. We receive bills in the mail and are then prompted to receive electronic notices.  You know, to save the trees, the rain forest, and the planet… and mailing costs for the companies.  We write due dates and amounts down on calendars, to do lists, dry erase boards, and post them on our fridges.  We call to make payment arrangements.  We have financial meetings with our spouses.  Sometimes we argue about bills.  There’s no doubt about it. Bills have a dedicated place in our lives.  

Reaching for our dreams – if just a little every day, should be a priority as well.  Don’t let your priorities stop you from setting goals. Don’t let the fear of criticism stop you or dampen your enthusiasm.  If you have to travel alone, enjoy the journey.  Take your “I always wanted to” and create a life that will make you proud that you tried.  Fill the free moments of your life with what thrills you, what makes you smile.

God has blessed each of us with a special gift, calling or talent.  What has He instructed you to do?  You have light to share with the world.  Make room for it.  Offer respect according to its significance and value.  Have conversations about it.  Strategize for and prioritize it.  Make to-do lists in honor of it.  Yearn for it.  Seek it out now like today is your last day.  Dare to believe in it first.  That’s what adults do.  In time, God will send quality people who will believe in it too.  

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The Road You're Traveling

The road you’re traveling right now may be rough and have more detours than you believe one person can handle. The Lord will reward your faithfulness and strength.  Just keep the faith.  Stay dedicated to your assignment.  Trust the Lord to continue your progress.

Everyone won’t understand your decision to keep moving in the same direction.  People have ideas about how long is too long to stay engaged in one certain area.  When most people don’t see huge “measurable” amounts of success, they tend to give up.  Oftentimes, people base their level of commitment to a goal on external influences.  When they realize that others see no value in their idea, they sadly accept that as truth.  But not us.  We know how it feels to have a “yes” from the Lord take root and bloom in our hearts.

There may be times when people will fight against your process, by trying to discourage you.  They may even remind you of how little time there’s left to really make anything happen.  They may advise you to stay on the safe path and avoid anything new and uncertain. Whenever you’re feeling blah and you need someone to give you encouraging words, you may find yourself alone. You may even have to celebrate your own milestones and pat yourself on the back.

It’s all right though.  You have to know deep down inside that there’s just no other road for you to take.  The consuming fire that God has set in you is way too strong for you to turn back now.  The excitement you feel when you allow yourself to imagine the dream already being yours is too thrilling to ignore.  Walking away now and staying bound to status quo just makes no sense to you.

Reject any fear and doubt that tries to creep into the tight spaces in your mind.  Fear doesn’t pay any rent or contribute to your well-being in any way.  So, why let it stay?  Shield your heart from the noise desperately trying to pierce it.  Pray and ask the Lord to renew your mind every day and to let your dream pulsate like soothing music in your veins.

Now is the time to be braver than ever.  Now is the time for your purpose to escort you into tomorrow.  Now is the time to push comfort and complacency back. If necessary, use the biggest stick you’ve got.  Do whatever you have to do to hold on for dear life to your heart’s desire.  Now is the time to ignore dream killers.  Now is the time to meditate on everything you can gain– not your possible losses.  Now is the time to wake up every morning with victory on your mind.  Now is the time to believe you can make it, to know that this is what you were meant to do.  Now is the time to find your joy and stamp it across your heart.

Do it now.  Don’t waste your time trying to get everyone on board.  The permission or participation of others is not required.  Use every drop of energy to advance your dream.  Believing in yourself is a great idea.  Your spirit is unbreakable.  Every hurdle is conquerable.  The road may have bumps, but there are no walls.  There are no walls to box you in.  There are no walls to block your view.  You’re in God’s country now.  Your dream is achievable.  I’m hoping and praying for you.  Let’s go!

Please check back every Tuesday and Friday for something new!

The Blessed Woman Endeavor is available on Amazon.