By Liv Dooley
Hey ya’ll,
How are you doing over there? Are you enjoying this little surprise break or are you starting to go crazy in the house? I have to admit: I’m loving every minute of it. I’ve been over here living my best life in yoga pants and big t-shirts, and I want you to live it up too! With everything going on in our world, it’s time for a check up.
Whether you were at Unconditional or not, you can watch the replay here and feel like you were there or look for your pretty face in the video footage and let the memories sink in. We’re not here to talk about Unconditional, but we are here to talk about one huge theme that came out of it: YOU! It doesn’t matter if you’re 11 or 16, there’s something meant for you to do in this world, and you’re the only one who can do it! What are you waiting for? You can miss me with all of those excuses!
I’m not old enough.
I don’t know.
I don’t have enough money to do what I really want to do.
Blah. Blah. Blah.
Stop making excuses about why you can’t get up and change the world-even if it’s from your phone. Ms. Stephanie helped us to realize that our pain isn’t an excuse. Ms. Sheila reminded us that age isn’t an excuse. Ms. Natasha reminded us that people aren’t excuses. Ms. LaCrea reminded us that our health isn’t an excuse. I reminded you that you aren’t an excuse. Yes, you. Why? Because each of those factors collectively make up the biggest blessings you could ever have to find your purpose. God knows you so deeply that He gave you those opportunities, masked as problems, to help push you closer to it. Sis, there is something you have to do on this earth, and we are going to keep missing out until you do it because we can’t be the best expression of ourselves until you become yours.
May I make a few suggestions? Puhlllease…Show up to serve this break. Womp, womp! I get it because I know you may not have a choice. Some of us have mamas that knock on the door and give us a list of chores to do before we’re fully awake. Others of us get to organize our own schedule. Either way, can I ask you to serve your parents or your guardians during this break-with a smile…Use this time to get to know them better. Use this time to ask them about their favorite things and the goals they want to accomplish this year. Use this time to ask them what their favorite memories of growing up were. You’d be surprised by how serving your parents can lead to new discoveries about who you are and why you are the way you are.
You have three choices. You can choose to organize this time and journal about your dreams, plans, and ideas when you spend time with God. You can choose to get to work doing the thing you feel you were made to do: writing code, cooking, painting, choreographing, or studying your favorite subject as you ask Jesus to show you a greater vision about how to use your gifts. Orrrrr….you can ignore all of it and allow complacency-AKA laziness-to chip away at your calling. Take your pick, but don’t get jealous when you see someone out there winning because you could be too. Checking in on our goals gives us a confidence that helps us remember we don’t have to compare ourselves with others and I want you to feel that too. I love you to life. Comment below to tell me how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking.
