Following your dreams and doing your purpose while living in the shadow of mortality is what makes life sweet.
We had a rough year in 2011. My husband’s health was in crisis, and the whole year we were in “survival mode”—me working three jobs to keep the boat afloat, Mike doing what he could while recovering from three major surgeries and their unfortunate and scary complications. For the first time, we were empty nesters in the truest sense of the word, going through these tests without our children and with each other as our main support. I’m happy to report it made our marriage stronger. (These things can go either way, that’s for sure!)
We made it through. Mike has a clean bill of health, and is slowly rebuilding his strength—and both of us, tested in this crucible, have come out stronger and more productive than ever. So, Mike is doing what he’s always loved to do—travel in service to others, while taking amazing photos of nature and people.
And I’m supporting that, passing on this project to you for your consideration. (I have to give credit to Seth Godin for his pioneering in thought and creativity in funding projects—sites like IndieGogo and Kickstarter make following your dreams and doing your purpose possible for anyone.)
If you only had a few more years to live (and who knows, for any of us) what burns in your heart to get done? And what stops you from doing it? Check out the possibilities, and make a plan to do follow your dream.
There’s nothing to lose but precious time, and in the end, it's all we have.
I’m a member of a couple of online quilt groups that make quilts for people in need. Many of the quilts are distributed through mission trips such as the one you’ve mentioned. I’m wondering if there is any interest in taking quilts on your missions…or if it even is possible. In any case, if you are interested I can point you in the direction of people who might be able to help. I personally donate to the groups but don’t at this time have a decision making role within the organizations as to how or where quilts are distributed. Generally a cause can be mentioned on the loops though…and usually people will step forward and make quilts available even if the group as a whole doesn’t donate to the organization.
I’m so pleased your husband’s health has improved and that he now has a clean bill of health. My husband too had some serious medical issues last year. It is a scary thing to go through. But it is one of the things that can make your marriage stronger – or wreak havoc depending. Like you, our marriage is stronger because of having to go through what we did.
Thanks so much for sharing! I know these health things can really go either way. I’ll check if the school down there needs quilts and email you! Much aloha
This in no way compares with ministry, but my dream (currently my bucket list) is to see the world. The whole thing. I have 30 countries on six continents listed right now, and it keeps growing. I want to be able to bring my kids to these places and show them other cultures we can’t find in our backyard. What stops me from doing it, unfortunately, is the cold, hard cash. The government wants it’s money back (stupid student loans), and until I’m at a job where I can pay those down a bit, I lack the extra thousands to take an overseas trip. Well, that, and I don’t have a valid passport. But that last obstacle is easily fixed.
Good luck to Mike!!
I think it does compare! It’s all about doing what is in your heart to do. If you want to bad enough, visualize clearly, and are willing to sacrifice, its all possible.
XOXO
You know, for years I’ve struggled with not knowing what I wanted to do. I very much enjoy my work and believe it is worthwhile (I do postpartum care at a waterbirth center – midwives, not doctors), but there are some crazy politics behind the scenes and some stuff that I am fed up with, particularly the lack of health insurance and benefits, or even regular hours.
In my recent mental health crisis, I got connected to an amazing county-funded resource and assigned a peer mentor through this interesting company called Empowerment Initiatives. I was discussing this with my mentor one day, and she mentioned that it doesn’t take a bachelor’s degree (which I don’t have, each of the three times I’ve gone to college it resulted in a major nervous breakdown and usually with me being suicidal – I’m a little terrified to go back to school now). And she’s made other comments now and then that make me think she thinks I’d be good at it.
And you know what? Once I’m more stable in myself, I would be. I actually know that, and can even admit it out loud (not bad for someone with ZERO self-esteem). I have several girl friends who come to me first, and will wait for me to be free, if need be, because *I* am the one they want to talk to. I just spent 3 hours on the phone tonight with one of the gals in my women’s group, and she just told me something she’s never admitted to anyone, not even her therapist – and I was able to (very truthfully) tell her that it was actually something normal, something many people have gone through – just that nobody talks about it. She was in tears, so relieved. I have always loved being there for people, and thought about becoming a therapist, before I got so petrified of trying to get through college.
The interesting thing is that since I’ve been thinking about it, I’ve been feeling drawn to do it. And THAT hasn’t happened in years. I don’t know that I’d call it a “passion”, yet, but it’s the closest thing I’ve had in over a decade. So, I will keep looking into it as I start getting myself put back together after my latest breakdown, and approach it slowly and gently… But it’s quite a relief even just feeling like I may have a direction to start moving in, something to aim for once again.
It took me twelve years to get all the college I needed for being a therapist…and the moment of insight was of course, in a therapist’s office. Finding your dream/purpose/calling can be a process or a flash, but nothing’s more satisfying than being on the path toward it!