How many things can you do in one day? When I look at my calendar or schedule I cram a lot into each 24 hour period. Yet I feel relaxed, happy and productive ~ not stressed. How can that be? There have been years in my past that I seemed to wallow in depression or sadness. When I look back at my journals I see a pattern of chasing after what I thought I was expected to do.
When I look at my days now they are filled to the brim with many things:
*working at my ministry job with a local non-profit
*working my home business: living in health and wellness and helping others do the same
*knitting - a LOT!
*playing with and caring for my granddaughters regularly (can you call me car pool Grammy?)
*journeying through a diagnosis of a chronic condition that will take diligence in self care
All of these things weave together to fill my days. My heart tells me I'm finally on the right path. My heart helps me share what I've learned in my first 60 years of life with others that may be searching. My heart is calm, and learning to be content in my circumstance, but not satisfied to simply stay here. Knitting provides a good analogy:
I can start with a ball of yarn that at first glance looks like a kind of 'bland' color choice. The super soft llama fiber feels so good in my hand. It beckons to be made into something that will wrap softly around my shoulders on a cool day or under the frigid air conditioning that is soon to be running here in Texas before too long.
As I sit for hours, mostly at night, while the TV is on I can't simply watch. I must create. With each stitch and loop of the yarn my arthritic knuckles stay pain free and loose. That ball of yarn starts to take a shape and I can't seem to stop. To get to the completion and see what some time and dedication can produce.
I usually choose projects that can be completed in a day or two - a small neck shawl, scarf or other quick to knit item. This time it will be a massive shawl, enough to wrap myself in completely with this decadently luscious eco llama yarn. This will not be a quick finish. So many areas of life are like this project. I start with a small thing - one phone call to someone that is looking for health answers for their family. That blossoms into real changes and opportunity. I start with a woman looking to improve her job skills, so she can provide for her family and at the end of a 10 week class I see a new woman who believes in herself and that she can accomplish great things. I start with a new condition (psoriatic arthritis) that most people will simply throw heavy pharmaceuticals at and hope they keep it at bay, where I choose to take the hard path of modifying my diet, learning what causes the inflammation and in the process other changes come about that are such blessings.
It's all in how you look at it. While I could probably go work at some 9-5 office job or retail position to pay the bills, how much better is it to follow my heart and be content and happy? Some days are hard, not everyone is willing to take the hard road of following their heart. I keep sharing, I keep watching and I keep listening. If you are ready to follow your heart, I am ready to walk beside you.
