Wednesday, January 22, 2014

OPEN

If you have followed this blog for any amount of time, you have probably heard me mention the ladies I do Bible Study with at my church.  Our group is called GIFT (Growing In Faith Together) which is very apropos because this group has certainly been a gift to me.  The women are some of my best friends.  Our studies and discussions are inspiring.

Currently we are reading "7" by Jen Hatmaker.  Have you read it??  Basically, she becomes overwhelmed by the excess in her life.  She decides to focus on one area per month and pare down to 7 items - and only 7 items - in the monthly category.  For example, the first month she focuses on food and allows herself on 7 different single ingredient foods (chicken, sweet potatoes, avocados, eggs, whole wheat bread, spinach, and apples).  Her other months are spent focusing on clothes, possessions, media, waste, spending, and stress.  the idea behind the whole "experiment" is that getting rid of the excess opens room for other things - primarily God.

Even if you are not religious, I think there is an idea here that we can all use.  You see, Hatmaker is OPEN to the possibilities that making changes can create.  She is open to seeing opportunities to try doing something differently.


I'm a lot like my grandmother and my dad - I am uncomfortable with change.  I like things the way I like them and, as the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" right???  But, that's not being OPEN.

A few weeks ago, I wrote this post about my blogging goals for 2014.  I admitted that I'm not really sure what my goals are exactly.  Although I have had this blog for over three years, I threw myself into it last spring because I was searching for something - an opportunity, perhaps - to do something more; something bigger.  I'm glad I did because I love writing and I have made some wonderful connections with other women.  However, I have been so incredibly focused on it that I haven't been OPEN to other opportunities.

Just last week, though, not ONE, but THREE opportunities practically fell into my lap.  I decide to be OPEN - to accept them and the possibilities they present.

First of all, I had heard of a thing called Listen To Your Mother.  It's a "show" in which writers (or non-writers) submit pieces they have written.  A certain number are selected and the authors read them aloud during the "show."  Kind of like a poetry reading, I suppose, except they are not necessarily poems.  I was contemplating submitting, but hesitating.  Then, some other women shared some very encouraging words through a Facebook group I'm in and gave me the confidence to be OPEN to the opportunity.  I just hit "send" on my submission.  I don't know if they will like it or accept it, but I'm glad I was OPEN to the possibilities.

Secondly, I went to a parent meeting at my daughter's middle school.  At her school, the students participate in clubs once a week, but she had complained that there weren't many clubs from which to choose and she had not gotten the assignment she wanted this past quarter.  On a whim, I mentioned to the principal that I would be willing to lead a club if they needed some additional offerings.  "What kind of club did you have in mind?" she asked.  "Creative Writing," was my answer.  Maybe this doesn't seem like a huge deal, but I still hesitate to call myself a writer (even though I've been published in an actual book!).  The idea that I could teach writing to someone else - CrAzY!!  Especially middle schoolers - a far cry from the preschoolers I taught so long ago (or maybe not!).  Still, I sent an email and got an enthusiastic response from the staff member who coordinates the clubs.  Maybe no students will sign up for my club (except my daughter, bless her).  Maybe they will hate the activities I plan.  OR, maybe they will enjoy it and develop a love of writing, too.  Maybe I will get to spend some time with my daughter and maybe I will get to know some of her friends a little better.  I'm nervous and excited and OPEN to the chance that it might be great!

Finally, I was offered another opportunity to work for just a couple months in an interim position at my church.  I will be working to coordinate Sunday School for the preschoolers, chapel for the preschool, nursery workers, and a few other things.  When I was first approached, I hesitated.  I haven't earned an actual paycheck in 11 years, y'all!!!  Eleven years!!!  I'm not doing it for the paycheck, but the idea that I am responsible for things other than my family, my house, and my blog is a little scary.  What if I don't do things the right way?  What if I don't have time to blog??  What if??  What if??  OR What if it's great?  What if I realize that I enjoy having a job outside of being a SAHM??  What if I find new talents I didn't know I have??  After the initial hesitation, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of "Yes!" and I decided to be OPEN to trying something new.  I start soon and I think it's going to be fun.

All of these things happened in the same week.  At the same time, I'm reading this book.  Also this week, I read this awesome post from my bloggy friend and Tuesday Ten co-host Rabia.  It was like everything was saying "Just Do It!  Be OPEN!"

So, I'm stepping out of my comfort zone just a little, trying some new things that I am really excited about, and hoping it all goes well.  What if it all goes wrong??  But, what if it all goes right??  I'm OPEN to finding out and that is a good feeling!

When is the last time you were OPEN or do you prefer to maintain your comfortable routines??

14 comments:

Angela said...

Those three things are all fantastic Lisa! Congratulations on all of them. Stepping outside your comfort zone can be super scary, it takes guts! I also hear you on the intimidation of calling ourselves writers, heck it's in the name of my blog and I'm still terrified to say it out loud to people. :)

Janine Huldie said...

Huge congrats on all the good coming your way, because you have been open to these possibilities. Seriously so happy for you and think all three are truly amazing :)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I know! I have no problem saying " I'm a blogger." but saying "I'm a writer" is entirely different!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks Janine!

Tamara Bowman said...

Wow - big deals there. Paychecks and being awesome, of course. I took three jobs last week, even though I was sick, and it was pretty crazy, but I was happy to be OPEN.

Ashley Linder said...

Um okay so how in the world did that chick manage to eat only 7 foods in a month?? I just added that book to my ongoing "want to read" book list. I midst GIFT!! Maybe I can come back in the fall since my work schedule has gotten a little flexible b/c I do it from home now. Now on to the rest of this blog…….OMG!!!! That is awesome!!!! I'm so in awe of you!!! They will like what you wrote, those kids will love you and you will do amazing things at the church!!! I have thought for a long time and I think a while back when they were hiring we talked about this, that you would be perfect for that position!! So exciting and I'm so very happy for you!!!

TheMissusV said...

Congratulations! Being open is one thing that I struggle with. I have the tendency to hold on to things that are familiar to me. I try to teach my kids to be more open that I am and I think it's about time I walk the talk and be open to new challenges in life. :)

Chris Carter said...

I am SO EXCITED for you!!! YES YES YES!!! Good for YOU for taking these steps forward with courage and trust that God has plans for you that you might not even realize!! I bought 7 months ago, and have been WANTING TO READ IT!! i love that you girls are reading it together... maybe that will be my women's group next book. Let me know if it was truly a worthwhile group book- some books are better read on your own, ya know?

I love that you said yes to that job- and you defined and offered yourself as a WRITER for the new club name!! i love that you submitted something and took that risk as well. you are OFF and running this year!! Keep trusting that God has many plans for you, dear friend!! You won't know what they all are unless you be OPEN to the possibilities...

The Dose of Reality said...

That is AWESOME Lisa! I do feel like when we are open things come. And I love the "7" concept...I am definitely going to check out that book! :)-Ashley

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Good for you! I'm sure it was crazy but hopefully good experiences overall!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

We would love for you to come back to GIFT Ashley! The book is really eye-opening - although I'm not sure I could do the things she commits to doing.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

It's hard for me too! I'm not fond of change and I am quick to doubt myself. Hopefully, all of these things will go well and be a confidence booster!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Chris!! You always know just what to say! I've read about half of the book so far, and I think it would be great to read with a group! In fact, in the book, she had 7 friends she refers to as "the council" who help support her and participate in their own ways. The pastor that leads our group has challenged all of us to choose one thing we have or do in excess and try to cut it at least in half during this study. It has been so interesting to hear what everyone is choosing and how their experiences are playing out. I chose technology and, needless to say, I am failing miserably - but I'm trying and I am at least being more conscious of how much time I spend in front of the computer! :-)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Ashley! It's a very eye-opening book - really makes you take a look at yourself and see the blessings so many of us take for granted.

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