Perspective.
I wanted to quit on this Write 31 Days project today. I wanted to quit yesterday too. I got behind because I wasn't managing my time and my responsibilities and my work well, and it made me want to quit.
In my procrastination, I got on Twitter to scroll through notifications, and saw the encouraging messages from people who are new to my site and have been enjoying these posts. Those few sweet tweets were all I needed to gain perspective-- this isn't meant to be a burden or a chore, but to be a fun challenge and a joyful project. It's 10:30 pm and I'm deciding that isn't too late to write my post for today and keep it at it. I'm not going to quit.
I published a piece on The Rising today that I found buried in my drafts from many months ago, and it's all about the mountaintops and valleys we go through in life.
Sitting at my computer now, it feels like the obvious word for today is "perspective."
The perspective from the valley is one that challenges and overwhelms us. The perspective from the upward climb is one that fuels us. The perspective from the mountaintop is one that inspires and revives us.
Life today feels like I'm on the upward climb. I can look back and see I've come so far. I can see all the pieces of the puzzle that has been my life for the last few years coming together. I can see the peak starting to come into view through the haze ahead of me. I know I've grown immensely, I know I've overcome obstacles and conquered challenges. I know I have so much further to go. I know my eyes are open and I'm seeing it all, really, truly seeing it all. I'm tired and my muscles are aching, but I'm full of fire and fuel for the journey still ahead. I'm motivated by how far I've come and inspired by what's still ahead.
“What if we lived life every day like it is an enchanting dance, a wild adventure, a delightful exploration?
What would it look like to wake up each morning and fully engage with all that the day holds instead of letting hours pass us by because we are obsessing over things yet to be? What would it look like to be wholly present instead of half-hearted and distracted? What would it look like to savor each season instead of wishing for the next?
What would it look like to press in to the struggles of the valleys and press on to the victories of the mountaintops? What would it look like to find joy and find Jesus in all of it?”
