Vivacious Living: Turning Away from the Problematic Distractions and Pursuing Life Boldly

I recently updated the layout, background, and template of my blog. It was not an intentionally planned change, but it happened. And it made me smile. The new layout is bright, cheery, and easily navigated. If you'd visited my blog in the past, it was fine...but just not easy to read or inviting, for that matter.

I started my blog as individualistic expression. I had been in outpatient treatment for an eating disorder while a student at Washington State University and working part time and I just needed a blank canvas for my thoughts, ideas, and worries. The more transparent I was about the inner battle I daily fought, the less power it had over me. Since, the blog is still a canvas for thoughts, ideas, and, even worries (See a past post titled, I Fear Being the Fat Trainer.)

The direction for my blog has changed. Originally, I was on a quest to help all women truly believe they were beautiful. I thought if we all knew we were lovely and beautiful we would be healed of our issues and be more confident. Since, I've learned that beauty is not what makes the world go round. (Who would have thought?!) Believing I'm beautiful does not elevate my confidence or spark a fire in my bones to make the world a better place. Believing I'm beautiful does not make me interesting, alluring, a better mentor, or a better person. It doesn't make me more skilled at my trade or more zealous to help those in need.

Believing I'm beautiful ended up becoming a band-aid covering a festering wound. I gave my allegiance to superficiality and objectivity. An "ugly day" totally threw off my mojo and sent me into depression. Maybe you can relate.

Vivacious, bold, radical living had to become my new pursuit if I was going to continue to win the battle over the eating disorder and other mental health related issues. What characterizes a vivacious, bold, radical woman?

Vivacious, bold, radical 

living had to become my new pursuit

A vivaciously bold, radically living woman is:
Funny- she has a sense of humor and she is secure enough to laugh at herself.

Respectable- she knows her body is hers and for her husband (or future husband). She does not gossip. She does not seek attention.

Generous- she uses her God-given resources to better the lives of others. Her time is not her own. She gives back to her community without blowing up her social media accounts to brag about her good deeds.

Focused- she has goals. But more importantly, she dreams. And then she pursues those dreams. She is focused on the here and now, living every day to its fullest, but she is focused on the future and makes choices to positively impact her future.

Thoughtful- she does her best to remember friends' birthdays, give words of encouragement, and think of others first. She genuinely wants the best for all people, even those who have wronged her.

Confident- she may be called weird or strange. She may be odd. But, she is living out who her Creator made her to be and she legitimately does not care what you think. Sorry, not sorry. She walks in freedom knowing she was made very good by a very good God (check out Genesis 1:1-31).

Open-minded- she is willing to learn from others and, even, change her perspective based on others' influence. She avoids religiosity and close-minded prejudices. She stands for what she believes, but loves all people, regardless of their choices.

Your focus may not be body image, beauty, or food issues. It may be a whole plethora of problematic distractions that inhibit you from vivacious living. But do not let it steal your joy. Do not let it become your god. Establish what are the non-negotiables in your life and pursue those with purpose and passion.

Live wholly, love fully, rejoice daily.
Kels
xoxo

When You Do, Sometimes You Don't

I have always been a “doer” and a “busy-bee.” I try to do it all. Rest? Who needs it when you can meet friends for coffee dates, coach youth athletics, serve at church, cover extra shifts at work, and prepare meals for sick friends?

On the surface, these things appear righteous and respectable. But, when the motive of the doer is analyzed, a thoughtful gesture or favor may be more self-gratifying in nature. Often times, the insecure thought pattern behind the over-committed individual is “I do, therefore I am. If I do (insert good/moral thing here), I must be good/moral.

God created each of us with passions and skills and He has a plan to use those qualities of our character. We learn this in Ephesians 2:10. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We can busy ourselves doing good things, but still be out of His will.

Getting caught up in doing the right thing, being in the right place, volunteering for too many extracurricular activities can and has distracted me from knowing God more. If you want to recognize and know the voice of God, you must devote time and effort to cultivate a love relationship with Him.

Is it wrong for a person to volunteer at a local food bank? No, not if that is where God has called the individual to serve. Am I sinning when I meet up with a friend for a coffee date, with the mindset of nurturing our relationship? Absolutely not! But, I must question my motives. Is my goal to serve my friend and love on them, or am I avoiding the loneliness I often feel when I am at my house by myself before my roommates get off work when I know I should be studying the Word or writing?

This is not as much an issue of procrastination as it is avoidance of truth and evasion of pain. And it is draining! Oswald Chambers said, “It is impossible to get exhausted in work for God. We get exhausted because we try to do God’s work in our own way.” Though I do, I don’t. I don’t prioritize time to cultivate my love relationship with the Lord. I don’t pursue the passion He has intricately woven into my being. I don’t serve in the capacity He calls. So, though I am doing and am utterly consumed with mostly good things, I don’t do what I have been created to do.

Where can you simplify your schedule? How can you prioritize time to do those things God is leading you to do? I encourage you to track your week. In hourly (or half hourly) increments, write the activities, service, hobbies, down time, etc. How often do you pursue those things that bring you joy? Are you living with the purpose God has planned?

For a little inspiration, check out:
ibloom.co/ “10 Ways to Get Inspired”