
Pre-Approval Required
In life, I have traveled along pre-approved paths:
- Head up Education Parkway (An expensive toll road; don't linger and don't get lost.)
- Make a right on Marriage Avenue (The first mile is a doozey, but mostly rolling hills and a few sharp turns after that.)
- Take that down to Career Highway (You'll be on that for a while.)
- Then exit onto Babies Boulevard (New construction; travel with care, it gets bumpy at times.)
I love and honor these paths. They’ve brought me joy and helped form who I am. With that said, they are relatively safe. They were pre-approved by my family; opportunities and privileges made them available; and maps have been drawn and followed by those before me. Sure, I saw potential detours along the way (e.g. Seminary Street; Travel Abroad Trail), but the sweet lull of safety and predictability kept me moving forward.
Tour Guides and Tea
In recent years, the pre-approved paths have given way to unfamiliar terrain. Last month, I was led to fly to Houston, Texas to visit friends and attend “Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend Tour.” All attendees were asked to list visions for “the life [we] truly want.” What follows is the vision that broke forth:
I have no map or guide, only a light within me that ironically I can see clearest when I slow my pace, close my eyes and focus inward versus ahead. With my eyes closed, I awaken to the life I truly want. In my vision, I see the divinely inspired book, My Forgotten Self, published (and many others to follow). I see myself fully awakened to the Divine Essence within us all. I see hundreds-- no, thousands of people before me listening not to me but to that which pours through me. I can actually see Christ’s light emanating from everyone. I speak to people, helping them to see who God created them to be—the Spiritual Self that has been forgotten. I see people awakening to this Self, seeing It in themselves and everyone around them. I see myself engaging my children, my husband, my friends, not with fatigue in my eyes, but filled with light and laughter; fully able to enjoy their presence because I am fully present.
I asked Spirit to order my steps towards this reality and the vision I received was of a cup not filled with more, but less! It was filled with my family, friends, writing, self-care (food, exercise), meditation, laughter, intention, surrender, energy, openness, gratefulness and of course, tea. That’s it? WOW! This weekend, Oprah and the Trailblazers helped me to realize that there are other paths; paths not yet cleared or approved that I can travel.
After the conference as I sat in my hotel room I came to an awareness that parts of me were excited to jump on these paths to my purpose but needed my permission. The next morning, I awakened with their permission slip signed! I am traveling off-road! I am ready to awaken those parts of myself minimized and held down by fear, unworthiness, busyness, distraction and inaction. I am ready to “awaken to the life I TRULY want!” Are you?
What is your vision?
Down what path is God leading you? What fears are posing as roadblocks? Comment below; in a journal; or with others. However you choose to do it, state your vision loud and clear. Dig deep! Explore your passions, desires, and skills. Above all, set the intention, hold the vision and trust the process.
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