PAY ATTENTION AND HONOR WHAT YOUR HEART DESIRES

Here is an inspiring and insightful passage in “Fresh Courage In Retirement: Finding Purpose, Essence, And Fulfillment” by Sharon Rolph

 

— Fresh Courage is what we have when we’ve taken a new view of life after a vacation or a wonderful trip or been with a dear friend. It comes with that contented, settled, clear-headed feeling. Our spirit wakes up in pleasure. We are able to make better decisions and call the shots that make us happy. Pay attention and honor what your heart desires. You may not realize why you desire what you do, but give it attention. Its message will come to you.

Being happy, loving life and finding joy, in my opinion, is nearly “Heaven on earth.” Using your natural talent, gifts and strengths are also often keys to your joy. You are enough. You are valued!

I love inspiring and encouraging people. I also lose track of time when I sew. Over the years, I’ve collected words of wisdom. So, when I started quilting, I realized I also loved working with color. At one of my temporary jobs in Texas at a JOANN Fabrics store, we were taught to ask people what project they were working on. Even now, as a customer, I still like asking people what they are working on. That’s when a postal letter carrier told me she made fabric postcards for various holidays for friends. That particular day was Halloween. A couple of weeks later, I realized how my words of wisdom, love of color and sewing could all come together to inspire others with postcard-size fabric art.

I really want you to be on a quest to realize what makes you happy. The first coaching book I read from our recommended reading list was The JOY Diet by Martha Beck. It made such an impact on me. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say it could transform you, too.

I was profoundly moved by the first chapter as it got me in touch with the wisdom I have inside. I take seriously the need to take care of myself first, before my clients. There are so many fun and delightful ways to feed the spirit and soul. What I learned is how serious a business it is to treat myself well every day and to honestly desire what I want.

One of the things deep in my heart is to be fully using all the gifts I’ve been given. I feel very responsible to use them for the purpose for which they were meant. You see, I don’t want to stand before God and have to admit that I buried any of them! I don’t want that for you, either.

Would you be willing to be curious about what your talents are and how they could be used to serve others? (We change, when our brain lights up!) When I realized that I could get paid to use my talents while living my joy in service to others, it seemed like Heaven on earth. Wow! Really? How IDEAL!

So, wouldn’t you rather decide to live from your heart, use your talent, and serve others, since you’re the boss now and it’s your time to shine? We’ve got untold years and decades yet to live. I wonder if it’s possible to find fulfillment and meaning along the way that make our heart sing? Time flies when we are having fun.

Time is marching on. Use it wisely. Refuse to become bored, confused or aimless. I’m here so you don’t spend two to five years to get focused or to find your new center. I’ve collected lots of possible resources for you to explore. Perhaps listening to some of the fifty-plus podcasts I made while you drive or walk will inspire possibilities, too. (One of my favorites is with Joyce Major, author of Smiling at the World, which I’ll tell you more about later.) The Internet puts a world of information at our fingertips. Explore.

This past year or two I’ve worked on loving and honoring myself more. As a single, never-married woman longing to be cherished and waiting, and waiting, this was BIG. It’s made such a difference! When I started reminding myself, “I’m doing the best I can,” it shut up the critical or judging voice in my head! Whew! Stop judging or comparing yourself so much! You could do this too, couldn’t you?

Self-care is often a low priority, but it certainly matters. Just buying a rose or small bouquet helps me be more in love with life. I’m getting better at decluttering and am surprised at the impact it has on my sense of me, too. It’s another method of self-love….

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