Dear Friends,
It’s been one of those weeks where I’ve been so caught up in all the going and doing that Thursday-leading-to-Friday has crept up on me like some friendly youngster getting the best of my preocuppied self with a loud, “BOO!” Because of this, I do not have a lengthy, meaty post ready to go.
(Photo cred: Photo by Michelle Tresemer on Unsplash)
Instead, I’m gonna share with you all the ways not having my shit completely together (by this I mean things like, I can be organized, but I’m usually not; I could be on time, but usually I’m running late; I love to cook but lately I’d rather just eat something someone else made) reminds me to focus on what really matters.
1. It forces me to let go of trying to “prove myself.” I am not a hunk of yeasted bread dough, waiting to be used as someone’s sustenance. I am me. I exist. I am 40 some years old, and a member of a five-person household. I do not exist for anyone, but I do exist as a part of many micro and macro systems. As a member, I am important, but also replaceable. That is the beauty of the universe. I am a part of it, I have a role to fill in it, but without me, it can exist, or change, or morph into something entirely different. Translation? I can relax. I don’t have to be the “best” or the “brightest” or the “most” anything.
2. It allows me to be happy when others get to where I wanna be first. Cause, truth be told, when there’s something you really want to do with your life, it can be hard when other folks get there and start doing the thing first. You (or I) might feel kind of envious when this happens. But if I’m being honest about where I’m at, and really just reaching my roots down deep into the soil of the present, I know when someone else gets “there” first, it’s because they’re supposed to— and it’s just not my time yet. This allows me to rejoice for and with them.
3. It challenges me to focus on rest— and then to tune into myself enough to see what I might be avoiding. Yep, I’m one of those people. The ones who sometimes do as an antidote to internal matters which need tending. So when I really get caught up in the shit, I know it’s time to rest and tune in to my subconscious and the whispers of the Spirit.
(Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash)
4. It keeps me humble and willing to ask for help. And friends, as some of you who have laughed with me know, there is nothing better than making a mistake and being vulnerable enough to share the faux pas with others (just be sure and include your feelings when you do so).
To end this letter, I will leave you with this wonderful, refreshing podcast that may even make you cry a little bit (again, if you’re like me :-)). I will add that KC Davis, who is on TikTok, has a podcast, and has written a book, is someone who has taken me by the hand and walked alongside me as I work to come to guilt-free terms with my imperfections.
Click here for the specific episode I am talking about. When you’re finished, drop me a note. I’ d love to hear your thoughts.
With much love and laughter,
Carissa
PS. In the future, I will be talking more about church and also about my experience watching “Shiny Happy People” as a former fundagelical.
(Photo by Edwin Andrade on Unsplash)