Freedom Plan Challenge- Day III

Creating a Vision for the Future

The challenge for me today was to visualize what "The Perfect Day" looks like for me.  It is a mental process of allowing yourself to see how positive something can be.  Help set goals for what you truly want in life.

I can tell you I have been blessed with many "perfect days" over the years.   It is hard to beat being on a tropical Island looking out at the beautiful blue waters, or seeing volcanoes, waterfalls, and Incredible sunsets off of rocky cliffs.  I have been blessed to see breathtaking views of God's beauty on more than one occasion. 

While any one of those were near perfect, I wanted to visualize the perfection of doing life day to day. Any vacation can be incredible, but I wanted to take the time to visualize the "perfect day" in my home with my family.

I wake up in my house that has been filled with fresh flowers. So many placed throughout the house that their fragrance can be sensed in any room.

The house is perfectly clean and put together.  Girls are playing well and creating something to show me later that day. 

I have the perfect cup of coffee on the screened porch on this cool

breezy morning.  My mind is still and focused, as I have time in the word. I spend quality time praying and learning from God's word before my day truly starts.  

The girls and I have a wonderful breakfast with Greg on the porch. Bogey is right with us being very calm and relaxed.  

We all take a few moments to recognize the value of each other and our life. 

The girls are dashing out to play with their sweet friends in the neighborhood, and Greg is off to play golf with a group of incredible men that support him and our family. 

I use that time to write.  My book is coming to an end and the publisher is thrilled with the progress.  

My blog is increasing in following and others are finding hope in the Lord on this journey with me.  By lunch we all walk to the neighborhood deli and enjoy the weather and each other.  

The girls are appreciative and grateful for all the blessings they have been given. Each seeking to identify ways to give to others in need.

We join some of our dearest friends on their boat for an afternoon boat ride. 

We grab dinner with my parents at Lafayette Village. A band is gently playing music, the kids are running around in the courtyard, and the weather is incredible. (Low 70's, no humidity) 

The night winds down with me having one on one time with the girls. Praying, talking, laughing and sharing our hearts with each other.

The perfect end to this day is spent next to my  husband. Watching something funny, discussing the day, encouraging each other for the future challenges we may face.  A time to relax and chat enjoy the gift God has given us in each other.  

This is a powerful process for each of us. I felt excited, open to possibilities.  My mind shifts to peace and quality time with my kids and husband.  I can't recreate a perfect day, but I can make perfect moments happen all of the time.

 Take some time to layout what your day would look like if you wrote your own "Perfect Day" summary.  Tell me about it. What does it include, how does it feel, who is with you...etc.  Post how you felt below when you complete it. 

 This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 3

Freedom Plan Challenge- Day II

 Finding Your Why

I love taking this time to really dig in and understand where I am at this point in my life.  I am completely aware that a time of quietness is a gift.  I am not going to take one moment of it for granted.

I can't tell you how many of my family and friends are burning the candle at both ends.  Their kids are going in different directions at the exact same time, they are trying to meet the demands of a job that never seems to end, and then add in a dash of financial stress or health challenges and you are done. This is what society, our peers, companies, and even us as individuals demand day in and day out.

Unfortunately, I am just as guilty of this way of living.  No matter where we are in life this can happen. I have sought to be the best mother, wife, friend, school support parent, daughter, employee, and version of my self for years.  It has been exhausting and I have truly felt captive.

Our pace is so fast, that we can't slow down.  We have to keep going, or we may not have enough money to feed our family, our kids will be passed over athletically, our companies will give the next person a raise.  Even with all the upside of winning, I still feel strongly that living at that pace is not worth it.

The race, the fight, the hustle, the stress of the ridicule of others literally burns us out.  In fact it could even lead to health problems as scary as a heart attack. Just trying to make it real for me with that point.

Why am I doing this freedom plan challenge?  Why am I writing this blog? My answer is, that I don't feel I have any other option.

I truly believe God has prepared me for "Such a time as this" I studied Esther this past year.  I love that book. She was an amazing woman that was given much, and much was asked of her.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:14"

I believe I was chosen for my journey.  Unfortunately, I wasn't chosen to be queen, but still God has a role for me.  I am fighting harder than I ever have to embrace who God called me to be.  Last weekend, I cried to my husband about who I wasn't able to be.  Why are certain things harder for me than they are for others.  I know that I bring goodness to this world, but it doesn't look like the gift that , I feel, most have to give.  God made my package fragile.  You have to hold it upright, you can't shake or drop it in order to experience the beauty it holds.  

I have been shaken, broken, dropped, and discarded in the past.  That is what is so amazing about our gifts.  They aren't just something you can only give once.  I actually see our gifts as a developing piece of art.  Overtime our gifts grow, change, and shine in new ways.

I am learning how my gifts are valuable and unique. In fact, at times I believe can be rare. I have begun to find my freedom in that knowledge.  I am continuing to find peace in my differences.  I feel called to help others find relief and deliverance in their lives as well.  

You see, if I don't seek this path.  If I choose to stay captive, God will bring deliverance and freedom for His people through someone else.  I believe, as Esther was in the role God had for her; I am in this place God has for me as well.  

I am continuing to seek to live free.  I can embrace each day knowing that using my broken pieces to create something new is beautiful. I seek to bring you on this journey to freedom as well.  We will find how to turn our broken pieces in to art.

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 2

Freedom Plan Challenge- Day I

Day One:

I have a friend that has pushed me to write, tell my story, and reach others through my writing for almost a year.  Every few months I get a text to see how things are going or what I have been writing.  We talk about what I am writing, and when I am going to start sharing my thoughts.  As I have being reflecting a great deal over the last few weeks, these "nudges" have increased. 

In the last couple of weeks, the pressure to share has definitely increased. I believe God can use our friends to push us in areas we may be hesitating, even when we know it is a leap we have needed to take for a long time.   The excuses, fears, and roadblocks I felt were that;  I am too tired, no-one wants to hear my thoughts, and I don't think I am disciplined enough to truly find my voice.

That is when this little "birdie" emailed me this Freedom Plan challenge, to push me to really see what is holding me back and what is it I really want.  

A 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge written by Natalie Sisson of the Suitcase Entrepreneur.

I don't know if writing is my next long-term step, but I have always had a need to encourage others to find their passion and purpose.

I am already way behind on this challenge (insert all excuses written above), but I am committed to walk this out.  Each day I will respond to some thought provoking questions.  I am truly open to your feedback, direction, and wisdom as you process through this journey with me.

Finding Your Focus

What am I called to be doing?  Well, I know that I long to help and encourage others, to share how God continues to work in my life.  It is what I feel I was truly born to do.  My challenge has been, that I didn't feel I had the experience, confidence, or discipline to truly find my voice to help others.

My first roadblock has been my lack of experience:

•  I guess I assumed that I had to have met some "quota" of accomplishments or persevered through some horrific scenario, to have something of value to share. 

• My experience with my SCAD event has shown me that if I wait for something,"big" to happen, I may run out of time and miss all the little things that had such a key impact on those around me.

My second roadblock has been a lack of confidence

• I have always worried about the idea of, is what or how I share valuable to others?    The challenge for me is around my belief that I just haven't clearly know how God wants me to be reaching other that are hurting.  
• I get distracted by my lack of organization and linear thinking.  I try to pack too many things into a timeframe I need to be focusing on writing.  I believe God is now asking me to tell my story.  I long to find ways to give a voice to those who can't find theirs, and that my words and perspective would be like a salve to those who have been hurt so many times.
• I do believe, through my more recent experiences, that I have some clarity around my legacy.  I want my girls to see what is truly valuable in our journey.  That if we focus on sharing God's love with others, caring for the broken hearted, and serving those in need; they will find a soul satisfaction not found anywhere else.  That is a priceless legacy I would be honored to pass onto them. 

My third roadblock is a struggle around an Discipline:

• I could give you numerous road blocks for me here, but there is one that has really stumped me.   I was diagnosed with Adult ADD about 6 years ago.  During this time, I have taken something to help me focus, process information, and respond effectively.  This was an answer to prayer and such a blessing to find for that place in my life.  

• For a Cardiologist to say, with the flick of his wrist,  that "I must go off "was truly concerning.

• To write you need focus, discipline, and an ability to organize your thoughts.  That is what the medicine had helped me do over these last 6 years.  I was puzzled at how I could feel the strong need to write, find my voice, and share my story. Yet, I was losing a tool that I had truly come to depend on.  

• Like a lightbulb flashing above me, I smiled.  I would have to depend on God to find this organized and disciplined focus.  It was clear that what I feel as my "weakness" is the exact tool God could use for His glory.  (I Corinthians 12:9)

Please join me on this "Freedom Challenge". I truly am an open book that is in a constant edit stage.  Any thoughts, ideas, encouragement, or direction you have is helpful.  We are all a work in progress, and I am just grateful that He is not done with me yet!

10 Day Freedom Plan

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 1