You know that new journal/notebook . . .what will you write on the first page, what important info is going there (yes, I am a total geek). In the process of pondering, which I am blessed with the time to do currently, I took a step back. When I am further along in my healing and am able to take off on my new career path, what are the things I will start tackling? It occurred to me last night that a clear WHY is important. When people ask how to stay focused in health, fitness, parenting, budgeting, etc, I always say you must know your WHY. When you have a clear WHY to go back to, you can climb any mountain. Of course, I think about my WHY but it occurred to me it is time to write it down and that is the perfect thing for the first page of a clean and new journal.
It may seem obvious what your WHY is but have you stopped to write it down. Have you really thought about your WHY in whatever you are focused on? It is easy to get started with a new fitness program or a new financial plan but after awhile it gets tough or boring. In those times, how do you stay on track? What keeps you from giving up? Or, when people discourage you, what keeps you focused? I am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to staying focused. It is so easy to get derailed when you are not clear on your WHY. Writing down your WHY and your goal can be scary. It is a commitment and it holds accountability. But, it also makes you much more likely to accomplish it!
I know that for me it is really easy to start doing something when it is new and exciting then taper off as it gets monotonous or I listen to somebody "encourage" me to go a different direction. I forget WHY I started in the first place and forget my purpose. I can have a whole list of dreams and calls from God but without my WHY, I will not get very far. My WHY could very well be that God called me to this. I need to see that in writing so I am reminded daily. Brad's WHY for his job could be that he wants to financially support our family so we can pay our bills and live and give like God calls us. Your WHY may be totally different.
I am passionate about helping others be the best versions of themselves. I am also very clear on the phrase "the cobblers kids don't have shoes" and so I am very determined that my family does not get lost in the shuffle. There is no point in helping everyone else and giving my family the shaft. When my WHY is written in front of me, I will always see that my family is one of my biggest WHYs. One of the greatest things God called me to in life was being a mom. No matter what I do in my future, I 100% believe that my greatest and most important call has been being a mom. My WHY in those tough parenting moments when I was exhausted with 2 toddlers and had no clue if we were doing the right thing was that God called me to such a time as that. My WHY was that I wanted to raise incredible humans who would grow up to be people who bless others and follow their passions. My WHY when my heart was breaking because their hearts were sad has been to help them know that hard things help us grow so I will walk with you instead of fix this for you. My WHY has been knowing that every ounce of work, sleepless nights, hard conversations, grey hairs (I am so thankful for hair coloring), and headaches all have come with the joy of seeing 3 incredible humans grow and learn and become what God created them to be. Knowing my WHY as a mom has been crucial for each and every moment.
God has put some big dreams on my heart to pursue when I have healed. I know that the only way I will accomplish them is by knowing my WHY and letting God drive the bus along the way. And you know what? My WHY and your WHY may evolve over time. It may morph into something different or something more. WHY am I setting the goals I have in front of me? Sometimes figuring out your WHY will help you to discover places that need some work. When I want to lose 10 pounds and I determine my WHY, I can easily discover that my reason is not really a WHY, rather an insecurity. I also can own the fact that I, me personally, feel better in my body when my muffin top is nowhere to be found! When it comes down to it, I need a deeper WHY to really drive me. Fitting into those jeans in my closet is motivating and I really want to get there but it is not a great enough, deep enough WHY to keep me motivated for long.
Our WHY must be deep in our heart and soul. Too many external factors can affect how my jeans fit . . .car accident keeps me from working out so jeans fit very different than 5 months ago. A deep seeded WHY like providing for my family can still be my WHY today. One of the many reasons I am working hard at healing my brain is because my WHY is clear . ..my family. I do everything I do to support my family emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. That support may look different over the past few months but it still exists. My WHY is still the same regardless of circumstances. My goal may be to fit into my jeans by "X" date. My WHY is really that I am healthy and fit so I can show up and do the work I am called to do!
What is your WHY? WHY do you get up and show up everyday? I would love to know! Personally I have a list of WHYs and it is time I write them down! How about you?
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