Quiet, please.

     It is Tuesday afternoon.  I have come home from work on time, but will be going back for parent orientation.  It is so quiet here!  Jack (our dog) is asleep on his pillow.  The ceiling fan is humming and literally, that is all I hear.  It has been a wonderful few minutes.  Precious time.
     Recently I picked up a book I read several years ago.  I enjoyed it then, and now I am using it for a daily devotional, even though it really isn't meant to be.  Last week I reached a point in the book that made me lay it aside for a while.  It requires time, and since it is the first of a very busy school year, I wanted to wait until I have lots of time to direct to this chapter.  The author raised the question, "What are your life dreams and goals?"  Now, that would be easy enough to skip over, but since I am using this book the way I am, I cannot skip over it.  She goes on to say, "I encourage getting away for an entire day of envisioning and recapturing those 'shelved' aspirations.  Allow yourself to dream again!"
     I plan to do that.  If not for a whole day, at least for several hours.  Why?  When I read that it made me think.  At my age life has become very routine.  Work, study, laundry, church, sleep, work, study, laundry, church, sleep....  well, you get the idea, basically just survival mode.  I began to wonder, do I have any dreams?  I went back to the beginning of the chapter and read these words, "Without goals in mind you may find yourself spending way too much time and energy on the things in life that are actually the least important to you."
     Now I have two questions to answer.  First, do I have any dreams, and if I do, what are they?  Second, What unimportant things are draining my time and energy?  Ugh.  This is going to require some soul searching!
     Why am I telling you all this?  To encourage you.  You see, God made us with a purpose.  He created me different from you.  He gave me unique talents, abilities, thoughts, and ideas.  He intended for me to live - did you see that word? L I V E, not simply exist.  He gifted me with my very own special gifts that I should be living out, not sitting on!
     To identify my goals, I first have to identify my passions.  What gets me going?  As my friend Jenn would say, what makes me come alive?  You know, gets me excited, goosebumps and all?  Answering those questions requires honesty and time.  This weekend I am making the time to sit down with my journal and my colorful pens.  The weather is going to be perfect, so I am going outside - maybe even to Red Clay!  I'll take Jack and let me soak up the sun while I delve into the depths of my being and discover what dreams and goals I really have. 
     I'll let you know what I find out!