Finding Peace…
Indian Creek Reservoir, Woodworth, LA
I write a lot about making things better, changing things in your life, learning new things, etc. That is all fine and good, but sometimes we need to realize where we are and that it doesn’t always need to change.
I am talking about stopping and evaluating where you are and being honest with yourself. We need to do that from time to time. How are you spiritually? How are you financially? How are you mentally? Do you enjoy whatever work you do? These are all questions that need to be answered, and they all need to be positive if you are going to stay where you are for a while.
The problem with always looking to change things is that you are never satisfied with where you are. Maybe the dream you had a few years ago has been accomplished, but you completely looked over that realization because you are too focused on the next thing. We need to take those victory laps every now and then. They are good for our souls and will give you time to step back and plan for your future while seeing the big picture. When you are grinding and pushing hard to reach a goal or accomplish a dream, you tend to lose sight of the rest of the parts of your life that are also changing.
For instance, last year I decided to start an online business. I decided to build my own website (which I knew nothing about). I decided to do these things even though my family and I were grieving the loss of our son. Looking back now at the last 9 months or so, I did that to escape the pain I was in. I felt I had to be the strong pillar in my family and hold everything together, but I had to have something to focus on. I needed to have something to get my mind on something positive instead of dwelling in sadness and hopelessness. I’m not saying it was a bad decision to do that, but in hindsight, it probably wasn’t the best. I started without a solid plan, no real help, and honestly a lack of knowledge about everything but the actual work I planned to do. At this point, the business is not really doing anything, but I have gotten some help and hopefully things will start to take off soon.
While I was in the mix of building multiple websites, doing all the business account stuff, etc. I lost sight of what other things my family needed from me. That fact has become clear to me over the past couple months since I have been in a holding pattern business wise due to some changes being implemented. It has given me some clarity and some time to process some of the hard things I pushed aside to pursue this dream. Where I am now is a good place to be. I finally feel like I have a solid foundation in almost every area of my life. I am still throwing a few variables in there for fun and growth but overall, it is solid. Had I kept pushing like I was, I don’t think I would have realized that.
I will always say it is better to pursue excellence and strive for better, but sometimes you just need to take a break and soak up what you have already done before you start pushing again. You will be better in the end when you get back into it refreshed and with a new plan.
Philippians 4:12 (NLT)
“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”