In my life, I’ve always played it safe. Some of you may know what I’m talking about. I’ve always done things the way they are ‘supposed’ to be done.
Graduate high school.
Go to college.
Go to grad school.
Get married.
Start career.
Buy house.
Work, work, and more work.
Anyone else with me on this?
These are all good things, great things actually. I’m not saying I should not have done these things. But I am saying that my life has followed this incredibly regimented plan and process the past ten years, and in the past two years, in particular, I’ve realized that the ‘plan’ I’ve always had in mind has changed for me.
And, up until recently, I had been fighting this change.
As a planner who likes to know the destination and all the steps from here-to-there, this change has been difficult one to embrace because it’s non-traditional, raises eyebrows, and has people asking, “And how do you plan to do that?” Not easy. Not comfortable. And definitely not safe.
So, what is this change exactly?
In my last post recapping The Influence Conference, I talked about how ‘it’s time to build’ and that for me, ‘building’ means taking my writing and professional/educational skills to the next level. It means doing some hard work and holding myself accountable to making the dream God has placed in my heart a reality. And for the first time, I’m putting this dream out there in a very public way.
My BIG dream is to become a full-time blogger, consultant, and writer.
What started as a hobby and fun outlet for my gift with words has turned into a serious passion, the thing I want to do and think about doing on an everyday basis. It fires me up to get on here, prepare new content, and share my life and the stories of others in this space. And I love the connections I’ve made through this medium. It has been life-changing and given my life so much meaning and purpose.
I feel in the marrow of my bones, based on the experiences I’ve had and the gifts He’s blessed me with, that God has called me to help inspire others to ‘live the good life’ in whatever unique and wonderful way they have been called to do so.
As a Social Worker, I deal with individuals and organizations everyday who are in desperate need of the message and truth that there is more …
More to life than the status quo.
More to life than the hurts and pain of the past.
More to life than the generational history of poverty of resources and spirit.
More to life than cynicism and negativity.
Even within my own network of family and friends, or as I scroll through the news headlines on a daily basis, I see the need for the same message: There is more. There is goodness. There is hope. There is inspiration. There is opportunity. There is possibility. And I want my life to be a ministry of this message, pointing and spurring people on to grasp onto what is amazing and lovely and true and beautiful and LIVE THE GOOD LIFE they have been called to live, in this time and in their place.
This is where my heart is at and this is the heart of my blog.
Making this dream a reality will not happen overnight. I know it’s going to take intentionality and time. My next steps include taking a ‘Blog to Business’ class through The Influence Network, drafting a business plan, developing my own brand with the help of a professional business and marketing consultant, and connecting with other blogs, brands, and businesses to get my brand out there. I am also in the process of continuing to finish the requirements needed to get my LMSW. While I continue to work full-time in my current career, I will be wrapping up the necessary supervision and work hours to apply for full social work licensure in early spring.
I’m ready to get to work on these steps and begin the next phase of my career and life journey. It’s not what I ever envisioned for myself, but I love how God surprises us with these crazy ideas and as we follow His lead, grows them into something wonderful for His glory and Kingdom. I’ve seen Him do it before and I’ll know He’ll be faithful to do it again, and I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
Dream BIG, friends, and have a great weekend!
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efwalt says
Really lovely post! I’ve also always done everything the “right way” and I have been struggling a lot with this recently as it can suck the passion out of life! I hope I find the courage to break that pattern like you because I’m sure its to way to true happiness! Good luck!
Hannah says
Thank you! It’s a hard and scary thing to move away from our normal patterns, but I take comfort in knowing that change is possible. Blessings to you!