When I was in the beginning stages of writing my children’s book and developing a positive mission statement, some days I would become frustrated because I didn’t feel things were progressing as they should. Then a wise friend of mine said, “The thing to remember about this journey of yours is that it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”
And it made me think. So often, we question God’s purpose and plan for us, particularly the timing of how everything is supposed to play out. Many times, God’s timing did not jive with what I thought my timing should be.
That was a few years ago and there are days when I still become impatient with where I am and where I think I should be. Fast forward to today and boy, talk about everything being turned upside down and inside out and sideways.
I have three beautiful children and they are each at different points in their lives. My husband and I are at different points in our lives from them. And my mother-in-law is at yet another point in her life from us.
In a Podcast interview with a good friend of mine, Erin Lawler Patterson, aka The Goodness Chick, we touched on reminiscing about the Color Runs that were held at Seneca HS. That made me think of the life journey we are on. If you think about our lives before COVID-19 as a sprint, everyone was, including me, running around the same large track we call life.
Then zoom out after COVID-19 and see that we are no longer running. We are now walking, together, on the same track. Young and old, perhaps moving at slightly different gates and at different positions, we are together. We are scared, frightened, confused, frustrated, angry, feeling helpless and sometimes hopeless… but we are still walking and experiencing all of it…TOGETHER.
The goal my friends, as Joanna Gaines said in my earlier blog, is to just keep moving…forward. Some may even have to crawl, and that’s ok. Just keep moving. Keep breathing, keep living. Like the color run, life is full of vibrant moments to fill our cup, as Erin says. Right now it may seem black and white, but the color is there waiting to be rediscovered.
This time for reflection is going to affect every single person very differently. Some are finding their strength through a new or slightly redirected purpose, others are feeling as if their purpose has been diminished or erased. We need to be gentle with each other, patient with each other, and create space for listening to each other. We don’t have to have all the answers…just the ears and heart to listen. And no doubt some of the toughest conversations we will have will be with our kids. Be kind and try not to be judgmental. Just listen and offer support.
Those special moments you carve out to be there for someone just may help them take that next step around…or to get back on… the track… They need to keep moving forward. Please don’t underestimate the power listening holds to do this for someone.
And if you are the one who is feeling lonely or hopeless, please reach out to someone. And if you can’t think of anyone, you can e-mail me at
lgrahambook@gmail.com, and I will make time for you.
So, here I am, walking the talk. I am so happy to announce that our new Podcast, Tell Me, is up on Apple I-Tunes as well as other formats. The link for the new podcast is
https://tellme.buzzsprout.com/…it’s all about how the Power of One allows each of us to create a moment that can change a life for the better.
I hope it will inspire you. If it does, I hope you will subscribe and share. We all need to connect, and this is my way of reaching out. Unemployed and all!
Until next time, be well!