days #13 & #14

learning to simplify.

it's hard to experience passion when i'm pulled in numerous directions.

i might mistake the ache of excitement for just an ache of overload --

if i feel the ache at all.

throughout the past several years, i've been learning about setting boundaries.

this includes knowing my limits & respecting them,

while also pushing those that have growth potential.

this requires some interesting conditional formatting in my life's excel table.

IF stretching in this area leads to simplification & joy,

THEN seek stretching opportunities.

IF stretching in this area leads to burnout & misery,

THEN set a boundary to honor known limits.

so as i'm simplifying, i'm reviewing some of my established boundaries.

for example, i'm currently working full-time & going to school full-time.

i'm also involved in making films with bob, writing articles for publication, maintaining this blog & my comic blog, attending church, networking socially/professionally, & other activities.

my time can only be divided so many ways, though,

so i'm evaluating ways to better simplify my activities so i can create room for passion.

bob, on the other hand, simplifies by removing clutter.

he feels open to creativity when his stuff if physically organized & stored away.

it's interesting all the preparations we need to make to welcome flow.

perhaps a dose of preventative medicine would be helpful next time...

what are some ways you've simplified your life?

leave a comment, or email me: jessica @ sailbear.net

days #10 & #11

i'm working on a list of passion-blockers.

as i write each one down, i feel a twinge of guilt at how i've let it get to me in the past.

fatigue

denial of ability/passion

fear

resistance

others' reactions

unrealistic standards

distraction

formalization

and so on...

my internal conflict comes from my belief that Jesus,

in all His wisdom & love,

has given us all unique passion in each of our lives.

however, we busy ourselves & bury the passion,

missing a key & pivotal opportunity in our lives to experience that personal gift!

as i look over this emerging list of passion-blockers, my guilt is that i've let these take over when i could be letting passion into the mix.

but it doesn't have to end there.

guilt motivates; shame incapacitates.

i won't let this turn to shame.

i'll let the guilt motivate me to bust down some of those passion-blockers.

the best antidote to passion-blockers is action.

simply making movement rather than letting them paralyze reduces much of their power.

today, when a passion-blocker shows up on the scene,

i'm starting a lively argument against it & taking action.

it's better than sitting still & feeling guilty forever.