Energy

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You will recognize your own path when you come upon it because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.
- Sara Teasdale

When I saw this quote, I thought that I'd have to write a post about it. It fits my blog like a hand fits a glove. Why? 

Well, the moment I saw it, I thought of my own life experience thus far. 

Back when I'd still been locked into a life course that I'd let other people push me to, everything I did sucked energy right out of me.

It got to the point where it took me more energy just too start doing something that it did to actually do it. Yeah... not the best way to live life. 

Once I started taking charge of my life and doing the things I love, I found that I had so much more energy. It was as if these things that brought me closer to my dreams created the energy I needed to get through my day. 

Nowadays, I try to do as many of those things as possible, because not only do they bring me in line with what I want from my life, but it they make it so much easier for me to live it. 

What do you do that gives you such a burst of energy that you know that it's what you're supposed to do?

More about you.

I like to know about the people who read my blog. It's just one of my quirks. I find people really interesting. So, every now and then, instead of being all me-me-me, I post about you. Since I find that bloggers are always in a hurry, I'll limit it to three questions today. You can answer all, some or none of them. Your choice. I'd just like to learn more about who you are. 

Today's questions: 

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1) What did you do today?

2) What did you do recently that stood out as being interesting? 

3) What would you like to do in the near future? 

My Reasons for Blogging

I've been thinking about blogging over the past few days, after reading a post by a blogging friend who asked why her readers blog.

So why do I blog?

I originally started almost two years ago after I read that agents and publishers are more willing to look at manuscripts by authors who have platforms.

Soon, though, I realized that blogging is so much more than that. It helps me share my thoughts and feelings with many people, some of whom actually know what I'm trying to talk about.

It's a place where people support and help each other, especially in things that make most people that I know think that I'm stupid and/or insane.

It's nice to be heard.

But another reason why I blog? Well... it keeps me honest. It gives me a reason to explore my thoughts and feelings about sometimes difficult topics. Then, it gives me the motivation I need to act on those revelations that I wrote down.

None of that would have been possible if it wasn't for you, blog reader. Friend.

Thank you.

Why do you blog?

Pentecost

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Today is the first day of Pentecost, or the commemoration of the days after Jesus's ascension when the Holy Spirit was sent down as a guide for God's children.

It's really a wonderful gift, I think. A huge privilege to have the Spirit of God residing in us and guiding us in our lives.

For me it has special meaning, since when God is guiding me in taking charge of my life, it's usually the Holy Spirit doing the talking. So yeah. Pentecost is truly special to me.

Pentecost is a time of being more aware of God's working in our lives so if you're a believer, whenever you have a bit of time, take some time to focus on Him and what He has to say.

That's what I'm concentrating on this week.

Does your church have Pentecost services all week long? Will you be going? Are you doing something special for Pentecost?

Frustration

I've been feeling the burn of frustration recently, and to a great extent, I still do.

As I've mentioned before, taking charge of our lives often involves juggling our dreams with our present lives, because we can't always just give up what we are doing now just to chase after our futures.

No, that would be irresponsible and stupid.

I know that.

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Yet, I am in this space where it feels as if every moment spent doing what I need to do is taking time away from doing what I want to do.

And.... I'm not wrong, but I guess that's part of me growing up. I can't just focus on my dreams 24/7. I need to concentrate on work too.

But it doesn't mean that I have to give up on what I want. It just means that I have to work harder and more efficiently to make sure that I do what I need to do to bring my dreams this much more closer to coming true.

It means that I cut out things that waste my time. This does not mean that I'm taking myself away from any and all fun activities. But, if it doesn't make me happy and give me a measure of fun, it's not worth my time.

So hours of channel hopping looking for something to watch: out. Going to the cinema: In. Dancing when it's frustrating me more than anything else: out. Guitar lessons and singing: In. Singing for the church choir: .... I'm still deciding on that one.

But right now, I'm pretty pleased, because I took charge of my life and am back to achieving things again.

So... are you frustrated with your life? Are there any changes that you can make to make it better?

Stretching

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Last Friday while I was doing my singing classes, we spent the better part of the afternoon doing some advanced techniques and stretching my voice as far as it could safely go.

It was hard work. I made a lot of mistakes. My voice threw tantrums because I was pushing it out of its comfort zone. But I loved it. Absolutely loved it.

Because pushing myself reveals things that I never knew. Like the fact that yes, I do have the high D in my voice after all. I never knew, because I never tried to sing that high before.

And that's what I like about living my life that way I do. If I get frustrated, I can stretch myself and try something new. In doing that, I can learn something new about who I am.

As a result, I know that I can overcome my fear of water and enjoy rowing. Or that I really do have a second wind when it comes to running.

Or that I can really do a major revision to my ms in a single day because I needed to.

All of these things, I never would have known if I haven't tried.

Of course, that does not mean I have to like doing all of them. Like with my rowing. I stopped, because I wasn't proficient enough at it to enjoy it all the time and the instructors weren't doing what they were supposed to to make sure I reached that level.

But I know that now because I tried it first. I stretched myself and pushed my boundaries.

I will continue to do that, because I think more than doing any specific thing, it's the learning that comes from stretching that truly makes me feel happy/satisfied with my life.

How have you stretched yourself lately?

I don't feel like dancing

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No, I don't mean that in a figurative sense. I just decided to stop taking ballroom recently.

I still love it and will probably get a craving to dance again soon. But at this stage I'm just a little frustrated with it.

If there's no one on my level to dance with, I can't really practice what I've learnt. And since I have to then effectively pay money to show other people how to dance, I don't see why that would be worthwhile.

Especially now when I have less time than ever to work on my manuscript.

It just didn't add up for me.

And while the decision made me sad, it just didn't feel the same depth of feeling as thinking about not going to singing class.

So... yeah... I'm now no longer dancing. At least not until I can find classed that can offer me what I need.

What's news at your end of the world?