Apr 1, 2020 | Do The Hard Thing, Encouragement |
My world has been
sifted.
It’s been a
painful shaking,
an imposed surrender.
All that I once
held with a tight grip
is no longer
something I can
cling to.
Some of what I held
dear has fallen
through my hands.
What remains
is precious,
their importance –
elevated.
I open my hands
to examine
what is left.
There’s not much there.
And yet
it is all that I need.
My heart is full
and my hands
have room to
to serve,
to give,
to explore,
to give grace.
What’s
fallen
away
was
never
mine.
#PermissionGranted
Mar 25, 2020 | Do The Hard Thing, Enough |
It’s always been true.
I am not what I do.
I am not the sum of
what I check off
on the to-do list.
I’ve always believed that,
even if sometimes I’ve
not acted like it.
And I am struggling
to remember.
Here in this time.
Here in this space.
I am not what I do.
I am not what I accomplish
in a day.
I am more than
what my house
looks like.
I am above and beyond
what is for dinner.
I am still a creative person
even if I can’t seem
to start something
new right now.
I may not come out
on the other side
of this having
checked off boxes
on my quarantine
bucket list.
I’m in some sort of
wrestling match.
I want to do more
and yet
I’m struggling
to remember
what is true.
Here in this time.
Here in this space.
I need to
remember who I am,
remember my roots,
remember what centers me,
who holds my hand.
I need to
dig deep.
Show up
for my family
and friends.
All I need to do
is be present.
That’s it –
still means I’ve got
to dig deep.
I will show up.
#PermissionGranted
Mar 19, 2020 | Community, Do The Hard Thing, Encouragement |
We might be five miles apart,
next door, or 2500 miles away
from each other.
But you’re never far.
Distance can’t change
what the heart holds.
Distance can’t dilute
our determination
to care for one
another well.
We will find a way.
Distance cannot
weaken love.
It just doesn’t
have that kind of power.
Distance only makes
us ache to be more present.
This can fuel how
we show up in
our own homes
and in our communities.
Don’t hide
from what you feel –
dig deep, process your
thoughts to be able
to love and serve
those close and those
far away.
Otherwise, I am afraid
we risk not
showing up at all and
we just can’t
afford that.
#PermissionGranted
Feb 19, 2020 | Becoming, Do The Hard Thing |
The flat, preserved anoles
in my sister’s door frame
make me a little sad.
Why didn’t you move,
little lizards?
Maybe you had hung out
in the door frame before
and you thought you
were safe.
Perhaps you didn’t
recognize the
danger in delay.
Maybe you were
comfortable.
You clearly were
with friends
so maybe you
thought you
were in a good place.
The evidence
suggests otherwise,
my dear anoles.
Your demise reminds me
there’s a cost to
delaying change
when change needs to happen.
Your outline reminds me
that I sacrifice a dream
when I choose comfort
over courage.
Safe over brave.
When a move is a must
and I dig my heels in
to stay
where I am at
thankyouverymuch –
it will cost
me something –
every time.
#PermissionGranted
Jan 9, 2020 | Do The Hard Thing, Grow |
My friend invited me to go on a hike on New Year’s Day.
I informed her I was not in shape for a hike that she would take and she informed me that she was going for a run on her own prior to the hike.
In other words, the hike was her cool down – I should be good.
I was still worried that my heart was going to beat out of my chest at the peak of the hike.
I just didn’t think I was going to be able to hang.
I didn’t want it to look like I couldn’t handle it…
I didn’t want to have to stop for a break.
I was afraid that I would be sore the next day.
It was also going to be a cold morning.
But I went.
And you know what? The challenge was good for me.
I am stronger than I thought.
I huffed and puffed a few times but it felt good.
I am capable of hard things.
It’s my mind that limits what’s possible.
It’s my fear of failure that says no.
It’s me that can talk me out of anything.
And the 3.2 mile hike on uneven ground at funky angles gave me a thirst for more challenge.
Who is this girl?
It was a great way to start the new year.
I want to pursue things that make me wonder, “Am I am up for this?”
I want to welcome opportunities that include a risk of failure.
“Where is Bethany and what have you done with her?”
I know that what I attempt will not be within my own power.
I can do hard things.
Please remind me of this in a few months…
No, really I mean it.
#PermissionGranted
Nov 13, 2019 | Do The Hard Thing, Expectations, Grow |
The end of a full day
leaves her with a
slight headache,
achy body,
full heart,
a few regrets, and
a few wins —
and there’s still more to do.
It’s one of those nights,
when she doesn’t know
whether to keep
pushing through
or
call it enough.
A bath sounds great
and so does
finishing up
one
last
thing…
so that tomorrow
won’t be as full,
so that, maybe,
she won’t go to bed with a
the regret/headache combo.
In her fuzzy mind
an idea plows through
the fog.
Why not do both?
A bath and take the computer with her?
Cake and eat it, too!?
Is it necessary to choose, tonight?
Is tonight the night for
and
instead of
or?
The lavender scent,
the warm water,
and her work,
draw her to the tub.
And then a wave of thought
crashes against her mind…
are there other moments
in her life that are
and instead of or?
Has she put limits
where limits don’t exist?
Work or family.
What if it is
work and family?
Giving or receiving.
What if it is
giving and receiving?
Strong or teachable –
what if the right answer
is strong and teachable?
Grace or accountability.
What if the proper way of this
being lived out is
grace and accountability?
Maybe there’s been too many
either-this-or-that in her life.
Maybe it’s time for more and.
#PermissionGranted
