Storyline - Conflict

"Living great stories means entering into a world of risk and fear.  If you're conflict avoidant, this is going to be tough, but press on.  Keep pushing your story a little further outside your comfort zone...

"A ship at harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are for.  Look at yourself in the mirror and tell me you weren't designed for an adventure.  I know it's scary, but think about your passions and your desires and your longings.  Weren't you made to just go a little farther than your fear suggests?  Living a good story isn't safe, but it's meaningful.  Face your fear.  Conquer it.  And if it conquers you, show it how it didn't end you.  Get up and live another great story...

"...Showing up every day is a revolutionary act.  Let's show up to life.  Let's prove how beautiful it can really be.  Let's face the conflict, redeem it, conquer it, and allow it to mold our character.  Let's participate in what God is doing in the world."

--Don Miller, Storyline 2.0

 

I'm in self-discovery mode these days.  Needing change in my life - looking for ways to make my life more meaningful, and let's face it - exciting.  I've hit some road blocks...  And just need some new challenges.

 

So I've made New Year's resolutions - and so far, so good.

 

I'm also restarting my journey through Don Miller's "Storyline" project.  Discovering what I want my life to be about and how to get there.

 

I'm making good progress -

*  Re-discovering my gifts and talents, passions and desires

*  Clarifying what I'd like to do in the world

*  Coming up with things that will "incite" my adventure

*  And this week - recognizing the conflicts that will come into play as I begin this process

 

Every dream has conflict - fear of failure, lack of funds, lack of time, wondering what others will think, etc, etc.  This can be a reason not to move forward - or a challenge to face!  For me, facing challenges is something that I'm enjoying more as I get older and have more confidence in myself.  Facing challenges is what makes me depend on my faith and loved ones in bigger, bolder ways.  Facing my challenges - even when I fail - reminds me that life goes on, and there is always another path.

 

So here's to conflict!  I'm pretty sure I'm going to be facing some, soon!

 

My action step today?  Make a list of my current resolutions and "inciting incidents" to begin regularly checking them off...  Make sure I complete what I need to do on a weekly basis - meaning putting them in my schedule and making them a priority!

 

 

Things I am thankful for today:

 

1.  Beautiful snow falling this morning!

2.  A day off.  Truly, completely, OFF.

3.  Storyline.

4.  Big dreams.

5.  Feeling like I'm making progress.

6.  Creativity is flowing.

7.  Getting stuff done!

8.  I love my new vacuum...

9.  A quiet night at home.

10.  Those moments when you keep coming across articles, songs, readings, people, etc that are all pointing where you want to go...

 

QotD:  What is your prevailing emotion of the day?

Hope.