Taking My Time

In some ways I feel like I haven't accomplished much this week in terms of my overall goals. On the other hand, my thoughts have been centered around God much of the time and that is where I want my head to be - not wrapped around TV or frivolity, so progress is being made. It's not been all seriousness though. I've been reading (and finished) "A Prayer for Owen Meaney" which was a very entertaining and yet thought provoking book.

Now I'm reading "From Eternity to Here" by Frank Viola. I highly recommend this book even though I'm only through Ch. 6. I think it would be especially beneficial for anyone who has a difficult time seeing the passionate side of God. He is passionate about us. Amazing, isn't it!!

Steps Two and Three

I will be posting some time later some more about my plans. Right now, I'm easing into meditation to slow my mind down and become more aware so that I can be open to learning to better hear/sense the Holy Spirit's nudging. I've had one session of just trying to meditate (the dog's incessant barking required that I get up to let her in). I also want to start looking for healthy, inexpensive recipes. We eat out far too much and two of my goals are to get physically fit so that I am able to do whatever work I find to do to help those in need and to minimize my expenditures in an effort to pay off my bills so that I can hit the road. So if anyone reads this and knows of a website specific to low cost, healthy eating, please share. This may be the limit of changes right now until these things become part of my lifestyle.

One Step at a Time...for now

I cut myself some slack. Yesterday was the day I gave up media (TV, movies, non-enlightening fiction, etc.). There was much more that I planned to start yesterday. After all, there is much to do. I was going to start eating healthy, exercising, doing yoga for meditation. I got through the morning, after forgetting to stop by the store on the way to work to get some healthy food, and by lunchtime it was just a crazy day. I was ready to devour some caffeine, chocolate, comfort food - you get the picture. So I thought, "There really is no need to put so much pressure on myself. It WILL all get done and the road will be a lot sweeter if I take it one step at a time."

So yesterday, I had no TV.at.all. I picked up a pizza on the way home, ate with my daughter, spent a little time social networking on Facebook and a couple of other groups I'm part of, went to a yoga site to read up on how to get started with the meditation, sent my daughter off as she went to do her own face-to-face social networking, then I dusted off my piano books and spent about an hour reacquainting myself with the ivories. As time drew close to head off to bed, I read some in "A Prayer for Owen Meany" (I've heard it's very enriching) and went to sleep. I thought that might be a little difficult since I usually go to sleep to the TV, but it wasn't bad at all. I accomplished a few things, added an old friend (the piano) to my agenda, didn't put myself under any stress, and it ended up being a great day. I made the first step. It's going to be a fun and exciting journey...

The Most Important Thing

As I begin my journey, there is one thing that is imperative. I must learn God's voice. So that is where I start - not as in something to be completed before the next step, for it is something that will develop as I grow and with time. But initially that is where I want the majority of my focus to be so that maybe I can hear Him guide me on to the next steps. Since I have such a busy mind and can't seem to keep it still long enough to really listen, I have determined to shut off the TV for an indefinite period of time, to look into the practice of yoga/meditation, and to put away those things that steal my time and my mind (computer games, fiction that doesn't contribute to the soul/spirit, etc.).

The Goal

This is my goal. It may change. God may allow me to follow this path for a time, learn some things, and then decide to point me in a different direction. It's all good. I'm not so stuck on the end result that I cannot switch gears if that's where He leads me.

In approximately 6 years, I plan to be prepared to pull up roots and hit the road - to become a Johnny Appleseed of sorts. I've long had a passion for single parents and the difficulties they encounter. I want to help teach single parents how to cope, how to work together to help each other, how to make 'A Better Place' for themselves in many aspects of their lives. I also have an 'ulterior motive'. I love to travel and I would love to hit all 50 states, either again or for the first time, in my remaining years. So, two dreams (and maybe more) for the price of one. I have much, much to learn - some of it spiritual, some of it life, some of it practical, and much, much to do. So 6-7 years will fly by pretty fast, I'm sure.

The Next Journey Begins...

I have had several dreams in my lifetime and I have finally decided, now that my children are grown/almost grown to bite the bullet. It will take several years to lay the groundwork because there is so much to be done before I am ready and before my youngest daughter will be in a position where I can pull up roots.

I have long pondered "THE WILL OF GOD" and His involvement in our lives. Are we supposed to totally rely on Him, do we head off in a direction and count on Him to be there, or are we somewhere in between.

I have come to the conclusion at this point, with the help of some of my divine nobody friends (you know who you are), that there are two things that are truly important and that if we make those the priority in our lives, then all else will fall into place. God said it first:

1. We should love Him and let Him love us
2. We should love (encourage, motivate, help) the needy, poor, sick, imprisoned, widows orphans and strangers.... so they too can then Love (encourage, motivate, help) others. (Wording by Keren)

I have gone through major transitions in my relationship with and understanding of God in the last 6 months and I have much further to go. I'm looking forward to the journey.