Racing Toward the Finish Line
Dear Girlfriends,
If you've been sitting on the sidelines for a while - either with your marriage or your personal development - sometimes it's hard to even think about getting into the race again. But the longer you sit in the bleachers, girlfriends, the more your muscles will atrophy.
I was talking with a dear friend of mine about this topic recently, and she shared with me that she knew she needed to make some changes in her life but that she was overwhelmed as to how to start. We determined that a great place for her to begin was through the development of her resume; not a resume listing all the places where she had worked, but a detailed list of all the contributions she had made over the past 30 years. Her next assignment was to zero in on those that she most enjoyed, in order to determine which of those activities were energy-fillers and why. Aligning your gifts with your giving will fuel you as you race toward your finish line of living intentionally.
If you're like her and need some motivation to get started, develop your resume. Then give yourself some time to think about the contributions you've made and what you loved most about them. Because if you loved it - there's a good chance you were exercising a strong gift or talent. What might be considered a gift?
Have others told you that you are a good listener?
Take your nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or godchildren to lunch. They'll tell you things they'd never share with their parents and sometimes - like us - they just need an objective ear.
Do you enjoy organizing parties?
Search out non-profits or churches that hold large events. What a shame to see women who aren't gifted in this area pulling out their hair!
Do you possess the gift of administration?
I don't have this gift, at all. Counsel your friends and help others through the governmental maze of Social Security and Medicare or take the lead in arranging for meals and care for the elderly in your own life.
Were you a great mother?
Rock a neighbor's baby or volunteer for the nursery at your church. Hundreds of young mothers miss out on their church service because there are not enough volunteers in the nursery. Trust me, young moms raising kids in our society today need to be sitting in a pew - they need all the help they can get!
Do you have connections in your industry?
Share your contacts with a non-profit. It's often not what you know but who you know that can turn a dying non-profit into a thriving enterprise.
Do you love to read?
Read a book to an inner-city child. Our daughter, Shauna, did this. Once a month she'd volunteer at a center for our city kids to read to them at lunch. I think she loved the hugs as much as the Spanish-speaking kiddos loved learning to speak English!
Do you enjoy driving?
Deliver meals on wheels. Or be like my friend's mom, Pat, and drive someone to chemo. Who knows what sustenance or "treatment" you'll get in return!
Are you talented in sales, marketing or operations?
Extend your professional experience to a non-profit. I extend my marketing skills to non-profits and we both benefit. They get good marketing direction and I get to feel good about giving good marketing direction!
Do you love shoes? Are you a fashion aficionado?
Volunteer at women's shelter to help them dress for success. I promise - you'll be made-over during the makeover!
Do you like to strategize? Were you an executive?
Non-profits desperately need your help; lend your expertise by volunteering for a board seat. Use your gift of being bossy where someone will really appreciate you!
Do you enjoy visiting with people? Can you walk?
Walk across the street to speak to a lonely neighbor. One day you might be the one peering out the window.
Are you gifted in empathy and discernment? Can you talk?
Answer a suicide hotline - that'll take your mind off your problems.
Every minute, faithfully lived, is a chance to practice the art of living. A life of magnitude does not just happen; it is consciously chosen.
- Marianne Williamson
Get off your duff. Make a list and make a change.
Consciously choosing,
Ellen
Posted by Ellen on July 24, 2007 2:21 PM
| Category: Catching My Second Wind
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