A New Season Of Change...

With the trees in breeze each turning over a new leaf; I too feel the need for transformation…

Fall for many of us, brings new possibility with a new school year, new teachers, new activities and a new schedule to adapt to.  Now don’t get me wrong, I love autumn, if not only for a hot cup of apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, the smell of a camp fire and not to mention the feeling I get when putting on a cozy hoodie and oversized sweats.

Unfortunately, it’s in between these little moments of bliss that expectation and pressure creep in and I find myself dizzy trying to hush my inner voice that’s telling me I am not doing enough.

The haunting whispers go something like this:

You will never finish writing your book at this pace.

You should start teaching dance again, don’t give that passion up.

You look tired; maybe some pampering would do you some good. (Now this is my love languageJ).

You still haven’t finished the girl’s year in review books.

You need to connect with family and friends back home more so you don’t lose touch.

You need to do more volunteering for the community.

And for goodness sake you need to start working out again!

This reprimanding from my inner self, then causes me to retaliate:

I sign up for writing class.

I order p90x3. (I am so sore it even hurts to type, really it’s lovely.)

I start volunteering in multiple organizations.

I actually go on an interview for a job I don’t want, because unless I can stay home with Gia I know I won’t take it.

I conclude that instead of working outside of the house, that maybe I will dabble in opening an Etsy site to sell some crafty items.

I book a facial. (Again this one is really a bonus, but whatever I’ll gladly busy myself by getting pampered any day.)

I start looking up flights to go home.

I do some online shopping for new seasonal clothes for me and the girls while indulging in my favorite Ritter Chocolate. (Ok a little off course, but these two things make me some kind of crazy happy.)

Whoa!  Are you still with me?  All of this being said; I am hoping that there is at least one other human being on this planet that feels like I do at least to some degree.  Anyone???

The good news is that we are not alone.  We are never alone.  When this mood strikes, and I feel I just can’t get enough done and somehow simultaneously I'm not doing enough, I go to my nightstand and
pull out my little safe haven, ‘The Purpose Driven Life.’  I hold this book that has helped me exponentially over the years and I begin to pray.  I pray for direction and for guidance for the upcoming changes and decisions I need to make. I then carefully open the book and whatever page I happen to fall on that’s what I read.  It is in these words that I find solitude as He speaks to the challenges I bring to Him, generously helping direct me back on my path.

So friends as this new season begins, let’s encourage one another and lift each others spirits rather than compare and judge our peers for their efforts, as most of us are doing the best that we can.  And if you ever feel your life, like mine, finds you in a whirlwind of chaos, it is most definitely time to ask for direction from He who created you.  He is the only one who knows exactly where we are going.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

So breath easy, we are all in good hands and for the love of fall, enjoy all things pumpkin. J