It's so important to be able to take the opportunities that life gives you whether they are difficult or easy, and be able to make something great out of it.
Blogging is one of my passions, and yet at the same time I can't help but think of my purpose which is to love God and love others. To me, your passion and purpose should always intertwine, and in the process of life, somehow we separate them unknowingly and then question why we are so unmotivated or burnt out on the efforts we make. If your passion is the only thing driving you, and your purpose is left behind in the dust, it will all be in vain, because your passion is only a tool that is successful when stewarded through purpose. And if your purpose has no motivation and no passion to propel it forward, you will be spinning your wheels and be a robot that is just going through the motions.
I'm finding this out first hand on a daily basis. It's so important to be able to take the opportunities that life gives you whether they are difficult or easy, and be able to make something great out of it. We all wanna know how to balance our lives and create healthy boundaries so we don't get stuck being a mindless robot. How do we do that? Great question!
Be aware and make decisions with intent.
A good friend of mine back home caught the revelation of the word 'intentional' and it was like this buzz word for the both of us in conversation. It came up so often because it helped us become aware of our decisions and why we made them. Intentional meaning: on purpose, deliberate, or with intent. In our day and age, people make decisions that are very nonchalant and non-committal. In the long run, it gets us in trouble not only with others but with ourselves. We create this wishy-washy track record when really we should be able to communicate our intent all while knowing our ability to commit to that decision. That's where the line is drawn and a healthy boundary is created. Creating a clear expectation that you can confidently commit to will allow you the room to pursue your passion and fulfill your purpose with balance.
Don't get lost.
Sometimes we get lost in the tasks of our busy lives, and all of a sudden we cross the boundaries we worked so hard to create. I'm the prime example of this when I work longer days into the night repeatedly and my balance fades as I bury my face in my computer or phone. All the while my wonderful Pastors (as well as my husband) who see me go into overdrive, in love tell me to 'Go home, Audrey.' What they're saying is, we love you, we want you to love the ministry you are a part of, and you have to keep tight to the boundaries of work and home life so you can get up the next day motivated to fulfill your purpose with passion instead obligation or drudgery.
Ask for help.
Communication. It is one of the most complex things I've ever pondered in my life. I can say on a daily basis with my husband, it is a moving target. Hahaha. It's true! But all in all, I need to ask for help in keeping the balance. It's a learning process for me. While working at the church does have its necessary "all hands on deck" moments, there are other times when rest is needed to recuperate. I'm praying that I find this wonderful balance by the grace of God and the help of those in my life who love and care for me.
Speaking of rest... Here is a great example of it. In the midst of a super busy weekend, we got to take some time out and spend quality time with one of my best friends, Sarah and her boyfriend Tony.
We spent a little time in New Orleans, and also on the Northshore. They are a great match, and I love how the laughs come effortlessly in conversation. From crawfish to beignets, they enjoyed the full array of New Orleans cuisine. It was a bit frigid when they came, but to them it was a heatwave! I'm glad to have seen my friend again -- it means so much to have visits from those far away!
Love y'all,