Open Your Heart and Follow Your Purpose

Open Your Heart And Follow Your Purpose

Have you been feeling a little lost and discouraged lately? Have you been working hard to balance work and family life while trying to fulfill the need to nurture your personal interests? Have you been falling short of finding what you’ve been looking for?

I’ve been feeling somewhat directionless and a little discouraged as well. It’s reached a point where I've been asking myself “ What’s my purpose in life?” I’d like to share my recent journey of self-discovery with you, and hopefully it will help you to find your true self as well.

Hope on Demand

While listening to the “Be Brave & Beautiful” podcast with host Michaela McLean Wilkes the other day I was struck by a ray of light that gave me some clarity. In the episode called “Keep Asking, Keep Seeking, Keep Knocking” She starts by saying that we should “limit distractions” and “silence the noise” in order to receive. There’s so much that bombards us on a daily basis as soon as we open our eyes in the morning, and social media and cell phones play a huge part in this. Consider reducing your screen time, whether that’s watching TV, working on the computer or scrolling on the phone. Instead, choose to engage in online content that’s positive and uplifting and that enlightens areas of your life that you feel need attention. Try this for 30 days - hopefully you’ll notice a difference in the way that you approach life.

A lot of what’s on social media is depicted as “perfect” and when I try to live up to this flawless ideal every day I fall short and get discouraged with my life. This makes me feel “less” than I really am. This makes me feel like my life is “less” as well as a result - not a good feeling. I feel like I’m throwing away the love of life that I’m blessed with – so I’m taking back control and restoring my life!

Silence the Noise

How am I doing this? I’m silencing the noise. I’m cutting back on the aimless scrolling and comparing myself to others. Old habits die hard, though and its challenging at first to not pick up the phone after dinner and seek the fruitless validation that can go along with it. It sounds harsh, but my feelings of “lack” have been raw. This freed-up time allows me to be “present” in my family’s life. It allows me to witness the beauty and joy that surrounds me – the imperfections and all.

I now spend more time talking with my husband as I used to, and I've started to really hear what he’s being saying. Something had to change. How could I have not heard this before? I've been distracted by the noise. The first step was reducing the aimless scrolling that made me feel like I wasn’t enough. This allowed me to seek meaningful content that enriches my life instead.

Embracing Humility

My mission has become clear, but where do I start? Pride tends to creep in to our lives and can compromise our growth and limit the potential for change. I’ve realized that by putting myself up on a pedestal, so to speak, I’m making it difficult for people to get close to me. I’m effectively cutting off communication with my community, my tribe. No wonder I’m spinning my wheels and people aren’t hearing me! I realize that by being humble and actually showing my vulnerability I can rebuild the trust between me, my family, my friends, and even my work colleagues and others in my life who I care about.

Open Your Heart...and Your Eyes
 

“I am humble in the pursuit of God’s heart. When we seek Him always and get to know him we grow to love him and he will come closer to us.” Michaela McLean Wilkes continues to say that “When we seek God’s heart instead of His hand, He will give us His hand”. In other words, “know God for who He is, not just for what He gives us. Seek His heart not expecting anything in return”.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

The Word For You Today

I’ve always tried living my life in a goodly way and with focus on healthy values, but most of my efforts have focused on others in the past and my self-love has suffered as a result. When I was given the opportunity to help design The Word For You Today daily devotional booklet, I was honoured and I wholeheartedly accepted.

Living in the present moment, I’ve opened my eyes and I've taken some quiet time each morning to read the daily devotions. They speak to my heart deeply. I’ve always been a spiritual person, having attended church when I was younger with my parents, but The Word For You Today opens my heart to Jesus in an “adult” way that I’ve never experienced before. I’m learning to live my life in a positive and productive way, while also learning more about God. I never knew how much He loves us and wants the best for us. It’s comforting, warms my heart and encourages me to learn more about Him. I carry the daily devotional in my purse so that I can refer to the words of encouragement, comfort and hope whenever I’m feeling “less” in my own eyes and heart. It’s also available to read online, and for your convenience you can easily sign up to receive it in your inbox every morning.

Embracing Positive Change

I’m happy to say that my life is changing for the better. I choose meaningful content online. Whether that's an enlightening podcast or daily devotional and even a radio station, like UCB Radio that I embrace and bring along with me throughout my day. Every day is different with its ups and downs of course, and I’m learning more and more each day - slow and steady. I now face life with a more positive perspective and purpose. Every person is in a different stage in their faith journey, and while I’m still private in my own journey that’s ok because I’m enjoying the ride as it speaks to my heart.