The Elijah Project For Life....

Over the past year I have been teaching The Elijah Project in a bunch of different settings.  Every time I teach through an activity I participate in it myself.  What I have come to realize is that regular introspective work keeps me healthy.  Today, my husband (Perry) and I started an online art journalling class with Brene Brown.

I thought I would share my journal journey with you.  Today's assignment was to "give yourself permission."  It has actually been a great activity.  Perry and I spent the morning chatting about what we needed permission to say or do - for ourselves, in our marriage, as a parent, at church and at play.  When it finally got to the point of opening my art journal to write, draw and paint... this is came out.

... I CAN... share with you all my journey and hope that it sparks conversation.  What is it that you need to give yourself permission to do today?

But..... How Do I Stay in the Moment?

With another season of Elijah Project classes wrapping up... I have been contemplating the question:  "How do I stay in the moment when there is so much to get done for the future?"  This is a great question.  This is a real question.  This is a conundrum for me, the type A, over-achiever.

While taking a walk this week and literally experienced the answer.  As I walked along the sidewalk yellow, red and orange leaves crunched under my feet.  I gasped a little as I was overwhelmed with the Season changing.  My mind quickly rushed ahead into the future,  thinking of no leaves, snow covered ground and cold.  I spent a minute in the future.  As I continued to walk I began to sweat.  I became so warm that I took off my fleece sweatshirt.  The sun on my cheeks made me think of the summer.  My thoughts fleeted to the past: sun bathing at the pool.  I spent a minute in the past.  Then I thought - Today is beautiful.  Today is warm.  Today the leaves still remain on the trees and hte sun still hangs in the sky.  This moment is a gift!

How easy it is to backwards or to go forwards.  God invites us to be with Him this moment and enjoy TODAY!