Today, I shared my morning hours talking and connecting with someone who is very near and dear to my heart, and with whom the many years of absence were, in one stroke, one hello, brushed away - like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, "Ah, how good it feels, the comfort of an old friend." Yes, Mr. Longfellow, I agree. My friend knows, that is, she has experienced my deepest broken places, and my then 20-something lost and fragile spirit, and with truth + grace, she has touched my emotional and spiritual scars that lay deep beneath the surface. She has also loved those parts of me when I could not and lay the foundation for deep soul healing. Thank you, dear friend.
Some tender, broken places remain - do they for you too? - so much has been mended and tended to, roots and weeds pulled, and seeds planted, and there is evidence of new roots taking hold, and sweet, tender little buds bursting through the earth's soil.
Growth is such a beautiful experience to witness. My life motto, which I attribute to my very special friend, is,
Most of us have two lives, would you agree? One is the life we live, and the other is the unlived life within us.
Between. the. two. firmly. stands. resistance.
Stephen Pressfield tells us that "Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet. It is the root of more unhappiness than poverty, and disease (read: dis-ease) ..."
Mostly, growth isn't easy, whether it's personal, spriritual, creative, or professional.
Where there is growth, there will be resistance.
It comes from within, and from those around you. Grow, we must, though, and
Reach toward the goal to win the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God has called me (and you), through Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
I've been allowing myself to look at what I believe and why and how this fits into who I am and what I do in my work, here on my blog, and in my life. As I look, and as I see what I believe, and draw closer to it, I recognize that circumstances, people, and my own self-doubt are all
resistance
and I have leaned into it possibly as much as I've persisted or "grown through it." The good (okay GREAT!) news is small, yet powerful + meaningful strides have taken root with equally meaningful steps toward looking at my heart, listening to (and hearing) the still small voice and trusting where it leads, and leading it is . . .
Have you ever felt as though you have a map in your hands, but all you can see are very tight coordianants - the rest of the map is either scribbled over, or torn so part of it is missing? This is where I am as of this writing, and while it can be anxiety provoking, I choose to take each step in faith rather than fear, knowing that when I do, one more step will be revealed to me as I do the hard work of growing and prepare & equip myself to accept this knowledge.
This my friends, is faith . . .accepting what is, not knowing what is to come, and trusting you are just where God wants and needs you to be, believing He has a plan for you, a hope and a future.
We are making changes behind the scenes here at Terri Conrad Designs and we're excited, really, really excited! We've grown, we've learned, we've fallen, we've been tripped, but most importantly, we've continued on toward the goal - to encourage + nurture + inspire - it's all a part of the journey, our journey. My life is my work, and my work is my life, and I am so, so blessed to do them together, each providing lessons applicable to other. We are oh so excited for what is to come, a new addition to our creative expression and connection with you.
Our focus remains steadfast on encouraging, nurturing & inspiring YOU in your home, family, faith, friendship, healing, growth, and in a celebration of the simple gifts in the ordinary of everyday life that make life oh so extraordinary. We believe life is beautiful when lived with grace, truth, LOVE, hope and faith and this is where we're setting our focus. Will you join us? Click on the share buttons at the end of our post to include your friends.
More will be revealed, to me, and to you, in His time - this I know to be sure. I hope you will visit again and join our new journey of examining, exercising, and expressing your faith and what it looks like to live life with a promise, your unique gift, and a deep, heartfelt desire.
With a loving heart -
Hi Sharyn, thank you - just sharing my personal experience and bit of wisdom gleaned from it. We both know it's a daily practice.
Posted by: Terri Conrad | October 02, 2013 at 09:07 AM
GREAT post, Terri. You hit the nail on the head.
Posted by: Sharyn Sowell | October 01, 2013 at 04:17 PM