Why?
To pray, think, reflect, and listen.
Sometimes, life can get so "busy," and somewhat chaotic, to the point where it seems to be on auto pilot. Walking a path that is familiar, almost repetitive, with no new inspiration, just the same old, same old. It's not easily recognized because it's routine, ingrained, and habitual. It becomes draining, unproductive, and eventually sucks the life out of you.
About fourteen months ago I had a total knee replacement. It had been on the cards for a few years and finally I got to a place where life had become miserable. I was unable to walk properly, and I was suffering with pain. It put me on my hiney to say the least. It was tough, painful, and a long recovery. It also threw me out of the day to day life I was living and I felt robbed of "familiar" routines that I was used to. My energy was taken up with recovery and being able to walk again. That meant physical therapy two or three times a week, and at least twice daily at home. It was painful. There was not a lot of sleep. My life as I knew it was disrupted.
I kept trying to get back on the same path I was on. It wasn't working. Then, on one of the many sleepless nights I had, I had divine inspiration for my new book. I actually got out of the bed and wrote it down so I wouldn't forget it. Sort of what I do when I get a song idea in the middle of the night. Only this was a book. It was about reseting emotions and thoughts around old habits, behaviors, relationships, and changing them for the better.
"The One Minute Emotional RESET."
Little did I know how this tiny book of inspiration would actually change my life and the path that I was on.
And yet, realizing a change of direction was in my future, did not happen overnight. It took doors closing, other doors opening, routines becoming so impossible to maintain that they dried up. Being forced to stop my mind going in a hundred directions and begin to search for answers. I ran into walls and doors that looked pretty good before though now they looked like they were blocking out what had been and I had to work out why.
In writing this book of divine inspiration, I finally had my eyes open to the fact that you have to shovel out what's been done, or not working anymore, to make way for new things to prosper. In fact Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:
"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."
This is followed by a well-known passage listing various times and seasons in life, such as "a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."
It was time to change direction. Wow! Why does it take so long to realize when the season is done and God has something new and exciting waiting for you to wake up and step into!
Letting go of anything, whether it's been good, or bad, isn't easy. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." And, sometimes the season looks good! When this happens it's hard to see the season is done. Though is it just a perception that it's still "good?" Nothing stays stagnant, everything is mean to grow and change. What works for a while may not always be the case. When disruption, or interruption happens, that's a sign. A sign it's time for a change and to recognize we need to pivot, and move on. I'm plucking up what I have planted, and am replanting, fresh new seeds that will sprout into the next season God has planned for me.
What is disrupting or interrupting your life right now? Is it a behavior, a relationship, a habit, a slump, or dissatisfaction with a situation that's not working for you anymore?
Letting go makes room for new beginnings, inspiration, and growth.
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If you'd like a free resource I have about change CLICK HERE!
HAVE AND AWESOME DAY AND REMEMBER
YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL!
As a foster parent, you must make many changes in your life. Embracing those changes is sometimes difficult. Your life is suddenly turned upside down, and your routine as you know it changes dramatically.
When you have to make a change in your life, it comes down to choosing to do that.
Our choices are important, every one of them.
Why?
Because your choice will ultimately give you your outcome in any situation.
Changing your thoughts simply comes down to making the decision that you don't desire something in your life anymore.
Making that decision to choose differently may take some time to recognize this is not how you desire to live your life. Though, when you make that decision it is generally made very quickly. The reason for that is that you have finally had enough of the situation, the attitude, or the behavior. In under a minute, you can and will embrace the change you desire and then you will end it.
Recently, I made a huge decision in my own life. A habit I had mulled over for a very long time though when I chose to change I did so in just a moment or two.
Often it is recognizing finally you don't desire to keep this habit or attitude and it's done. Gone. Over. You chose to end it.
When I first became a foster parent I didn't understand how much my life would have to change, and embracing those changes often came with tears and frustration. I had a routine of going to the gym first thing in the morning after dropping my older kids at school. Well, my first two charges, identical twenty-month-twins didn't handle the car very well at all. Just about every time I nearly got to the gym, they threw up all over themselves and their car seats. Something had to change, and it had to be me.
When the moment came that I embraced the need for a change, I chose to do so with a list. First was to see the doctor and work out why they kept throwing up in the car, and second was to buy another set of car seats!
I embraced the change, I made the choice, and I conquered the challenge of working it out. Life did become easier.
I found a great sense of freedom from embracing the new changes. I had to adjust my attitude, and my expectations big time!
The day's routine certainly went smoother when I was choosing to change my daily habits to accommodate my new little charges.
Habits are just that. A way of living that has become normal even if it is something you don't desire or doesn't work anymore. Breaking the habit comes from recognizing it and then choosing to end it.
Your mind is a powerful part of your body. Your mind controls your brain where all these habits are formed. Your brain, of course, doesn't like change which causes us to take time to overrule it with our conscious mind.
The great part is your mind is in control and can make the change when it fully decides to.
What habit or attitude would you like to change?
Remember.
You can embrace the change, make the choice, and conquer the challenge.
I'll leave you with a verse from the bible that says it all!
Philippians 4:13:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
This verse emphasizes the strength and empowerment that comes from faith in Christ, which can be applied to embracing change, making important decisions, and overcoming difficulties.
