Cultivate. Understand. Expand.

"Decide today to stretch yourself. Take on a goal that you had previously given up on. Get lost doing something you love. Cultivate happiness within yourself. Understand and know that life isn't just about what you do. It's about how you serve and what you give! Go within yourself to grow outside yourself. Expand your comfort zone." 

— Unknown

{Photo Credit}

Motivation for Monday

Mondays can be a little rough, but that doesn't mean they can't be a good start to a great week and sometimes all you need is someone to tell you, "You've got what it takes, you've got more than it takes!" For anyone that's going through a bit of a rough patch and you find your balance between questions and answers heavy with doubt, take a deep breath and then take another. I've been there and I'm somewhat still there.

Last week I found myself with a broken back burden with doubt. I've been traveling down a path that seems so long, but some inherent part of me, however small, tells me a I shouldn't give up, I shouldn't back down, this path, worn and barren now, will lead me somewhere great.

Teetering on the brink of tears, I turned to books and words. There's something unify in the fact that though complete strangers, separated by oceans and centuries, we all question ourselves. Some have figured it out while others went on blind faith that everything was going to be okay. Regardless of whether or not their questions marks were turned into periods and exclamation points, they persevered with their passions and I found solace and encouragement I should keep on trying as well.

I hope you keep on trying too. And may you always remember, that the passion and fire in your heart isn't there as a filler, there's a reason and that reason may very well be your purpose. May you have a great start to a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Cybill 

Vocations, Religious or Otherwise

Looking up in St. James Park, London | April 2010

Sunday evening, there was a guest priest at the church I was visiting. His homily focused primarily on his hopes that gentlemen would hear God's call to the church.

***Now, before I continue, I just want to level with you. I'm Catholic. I was baptized Catholic, I was raised Catholic and I went to a Catholic high school. However, I struggle with the "rules" of my religion every day. Is Catholicism perfect? No, not by any means. Do I question the church's standings on certain situations? Yes, but I do so in hopes to better understand my faith and my religion. There are some things about the Catholic teachings that have me ebbing, when I should be flowing, however, like many things in life, it's in study and practice when you truly understand. So, I won't force my religious opinions or beliefs on you. I'll just share them.***

So back to Sunday. The priest -- I apologize, I have forgotten his name -- discussed vocations. While he was focusing on vocations to the church, I edited his message in way that applies to me a little more.

Personally, I don't feel called to the church to serve as a Sister. I played house for countless hours as child and I hope to have family of my own one day. To a certain extent, I believe being a mother is one of my vocations. Nevertheless, I feel that there might be something more, but how do I know what it is? And how can I be sure? How is anyone sure?

I'm a thinker, I'm an over-analyzer, and in some ways, that makes me a doubter. But I don't want to doubt the big things. I want to know. But I ask all of you out there, how did you know? How did you know that what you're doing and what you're striving for is your vocation?

The priest's answer would be prayer, and I've prayed. God may have given me a sign, but of course, I question and analyze if anything can be taken as a sign, leaving me more confused than where I started. So what else can I add to this recipe? Is this a one of those "Leap and the net shall appear" situations? That's a pretty big leap, if you ask me. Perhaps it's one of those, "Let the pieces fall where they may" or "Trust that God will lead you where you need to go." Ultimately, I trust Him, but a little insight wouldn't hurt every now and then. It also wouldn't hurt to know for sure my Heavenly vocation. 

Sincerely,

Cybill