Dear Readers,
I have had the blessing of being surrounded by friends and family answering their call — God’s unique purpose for us all – in exquisitely creative ways. My sister and best friend, Katherine Reay, has written a beautiful novel titled “Dear Mr. Knightley” (to be released in October 2014) which tells the story of a young woman who sheds her defenses, steps into her true self and, as a result, finds everything she has longed for — love, family and community. My dear friend and mentor, Danielle Boonstra has written a love story, limitless across time and space titled “Without Fear of Falling” (to be released April 26, 2013) and my beautiful friend Kerry Schneider just released her album, Detour (available on iTunes)– haunting, beautiful, pure poetry. Her music speaks to the soul. Each of these women answered their call with fearlessness — taking small steps each day to create something alive, vibrant and truthful.
While surrounded by this bubbling creativity, my own call seemed to take a backseat. Frankly, I doubted whether I had a call at all. I hadn’t felt inspired to write The Simple Salt in quite a while. I hadn’t felt inspired to do much at all except doubt. To borrow from Kerry, I had taken a detour. Fear and doubt are sticky things — once they find their way in they stick — they stay. Over and over again, I asked myself, “What am I here to do? What’s my purpose? What’s my call?” Wringing hands. And there was my mistake. An easy one, but a profound one. I was asking myself what I was meant to do. I had forgotten to ask God.
This morning, I remembered. I woke up and said a simple prayer that Gabrielle Bernstein taught me from A Course In Miracles:
Dear God,
What would you have me do?
Where would you have me go?
What would you have me say?
And to whom?
Simple. That’s it. I had given my day over and God was now in control. I am not sure what my big call is, and I might never know. My call will likely shift and evolve a million times over the course of my lifetime. But I do know that by relinquishing control over what I am meant to do and giving it over to God, I will be taking small steps, guided steps, in the right direction. Today, my call was to sit and write this post. Tomorrow it might be cooking a great meal for my family. I don’t know and knowing is not important.
Trusting is.
Beautifully written, Elizabeth. And I see God’s hand in your life each and every day. He IS unfolding your “…works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10) The plans are there and they are his and they are spectacular. And you’re living in them. Sometimes we get so close or race ahead that we can’t see — I see them in your life and in your writing.
You are meant to do this! Each one of these posts so inspires me!
And those women are amazing and I cannot wait to read their books! Ellie’s twenty-two just like me!!!
And I say that prayer every morning too, it’s life changing!
Elizabeth,
Although I do not share your religious faith, I identify so deeply with the feelings and the resolution you come to in this beautifully written post. I used to worry about the idea of achievement- what have I really accomplished, Id ask- and the need to have a “plan”- a way of getting to my desired outcome. And yet I felt as though I was drifting, always falling short of my ambitions, never getting to my planned destination.
So long as I imagined that I needed to “figure out” my life, I “failed.” But once I accepted the idea that I could control only one thing- how I chose to be in this moment- things changed for me. I know that I can choose to be strong, open, ready, and present- for myself and for those around me. I still falter, often. I lose myself, fall into my busy head again, and the anxieties stir. But I know that I can always begin again, each moment a fresh start.
My acceptance and openness seems like a parallel way of being to your “giving it up to God.” I know it’s not the same- but we share the putting aside of ambition and the sense that we control what happens, that we can know what is to come. I imagine that when you are in harmony with God, you are in a posture like my posture when I am fully present in my moment.
I may be wrong about this and I want to make sure that I express my deepest respect for the path you walk. It’s not mine but it seems so worthy, so right to me.
Maybe your “calling” is right here, right now. In each thing you do, seeking to do God’s will, as best you can. Not some big “five year plan.” Something simpler. Simple. That’s always been a big part of your message. I feel it in your post here.
Tom
Dear Tom, I couldn’t agree with you more! I think you captured my post perfectly, the peace found in the present moment — and being present fully in that moment, it’s like going home and remembering the truth of who we are. I do think that it is in this place that we can hear God speak within us so that might be one difference between our paths, but when you describe your path it speaks to my soul as Truth does and so I am, and continue to be, so inspired and learn so much from your work. Thank you!
I wait each day to see what God has in store for me. I trust and realize that for each moment there is a reason. God promises floods of blessings if you stay positive and open. I am proof today that this is true. If god puts a period, then never place a question mark. There is a reason why the period was placed… he has a plan. To end the situation or moment…….Peace Mary
What a beautiful lesson, Mary, thank you so much for sharing this with us. So much love to you!
You are such an inspiration! I feel so much better when I read The Simple Salt and I always believe they are chock full of your “calling”. There is always such a strong element of sharing in them–sharing of your self, sharing of your findings, and in this case sharing the accomplishments of your fellow inspiring friends and family. That’s got to feel so good and satisfying! Thank you dear Liz for sharing and have a beautiful blessed day!
Thank you, Carrie! So much love to you and Tom!!! xxoo Elizabeth
So beautiful Elizabeth! Beautifully written and a great reminder that TRUST is primary to live a spirit guided life. Sounds like you are living on purpose already
Blessings,
Linda
Thank you so much, Linda! I am so glad that we are doing all of this work together! My miracle-minded sister! xxoo