Why Don't You Fly a Little Higher

This post is dedicated to and written for my beloved daughter. 

When the storms of life feel overwhelming and invincible, I am often reminded of these words of scripture and the ones at the end of this post:

Do you not know? Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God…the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.  ²⁹ He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.  ³⁰ Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly,³¹ those who^]wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will develop wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”  (Isaiah 40-28-31)

The eagle signifies power, freedom, and transcendence.  It freely soars high above valley lows, mountain highs, raging rivers, and peaceful lakes.  As it spreads its mighty wings and flies high, it has the ability to see the whole of the earth while also being able to focus on even the tiniest movement and shape of its necessary nourishment.  It prefers soaring with wings spread wide rather than exerting unnecessary energy flapping repeatedly.

Purpose Draws Us Upward and Onward

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds:  Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.  Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."  -- Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras

Reflections from an ever learning sojourner...

Always having an inspiring and stimulating purpose in life draws us upward and onward and makes all the difference in how we view and embrace today.  As we pursue a greater purpose in the daily and in the long-term, not only do we grow and discover more of ourselves, we also discover more about the world and people around us.  The pursuit of something greater than “me” which pushes and challenges in multiple ways draws us out of our comfortably mundane and self-centered “me” mindset and into an awe-inspiring perspective.  

Human beings were not meant to be stagnant and unchallenged.  Stagnation breeds sorrow, discontent, and bitterness.  In order to be healthy, thriving people we must create, pursue, and achieve while standing firm on the foundations of love and goodness.

Why is it that so often when a dearly loved one dies we look for ways in which to honor their memory and fulfill something in our life that they stood for or that we think they would be proud of?  

I believe it is because at a moment of most intense grief not only are we jolted awake to the fact that life is a gift and can end unexpectedly, we also look for important reasons to go on with our lives in spite of that person’s absence.  We desperately long to continue to bring value to the life they lived and the one we still get to have.  

We all need something productive and stimulating to do!  We all crave something in which throw ourselves into in order to help us not only make it through the ups and downs of life but also in order to have personal, tangible proof that our presence on this earth matters greatly.  Without purpose, we wilt and wither and lose sight of the truth that life is a beautiful and amazing gift to be enjoyed and embraced wholeheartedly. 

Life is lived right now, not in what was and not in what may be in the future. 

Life is lived with this breath, in this very moment. 

Life is lived abundantly as we hold hands with passion and purpose.

The opportunities of today and tomorrow are endless and waiting for our pursuit and discovery.  

Upward and onward!

© MaryAnn Broussard

Quotes - If You Do What You Did

Belief and Faith Propel Us Toward Success

I am currently reading the book The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.  Harold is a retired man whose life and marriage are lifeless.  On the day he receives a letter from an old friend who is dying of cancer, Harold finds himself unintentionally deciding to walk over 500 miles to visit her and give his regards in person.  He embarks on this journey unprepared in every way and without any necessary supplies.  As Harold walks miles and miles, he encounters all sorts of different people, and these encounters bring about a change in Harold’s character, beliefs, and ideas.

Celebrating Daily Steps to Success

https://heartofthearts.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/light-steps.jpg

“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.” 

–Jim Rohn

Since writing my last post, I’ve taken a few disciplined steps every day.  These steps have not been taken by random luck or chance.  They have required a deliberate effort on my part.

Sunday night before going to sleep I told myself that in the coming week I would be more intentional with my daily activities and with taking steps toward my desired goals.  I had had enough of letting the hours in my days slip through my fingers like sand, going to bed saying to myself: “I know I was really “busy” today doing stuff.  But, what steps did I take toward reaching my current life goals and dreams?”

I woke up Monday morning, sleepily sat up in my bed, and then flopped myself back down on the pillow feeling the all too familiar surges of doubt, fear, and hesitancy.  The same, old self-sabotaging questions and thoughts swirled through my head: 

Daily Steps to Success

It’s true that I often tell people my children have taught me a great deal.  As their mom, I nurtured and taught them as they grew from babies to young adults.  As we have experienced life together over the years, they have also taught me. Though all three of them are now adults and living on their own, they are still teaching me.   On any given day, as I offer wisdom and encouragement to my children in whatever joy or sorrow they face, I also share the same wisdom and encouragement with myself.  Usually, I end up telling myself, “Yea MaryAnn, live by what you are saying to them!” 

Brief Quotes - The Greatest Blessings

The greatest blessings usually follow the most trying circumstances.  

That's why they are called miracles.

This has proven true in my life over and over again.  As I currently face a season of some really trying circumstances, I am reminded of this truth.  

There can be no miracle without difficulty or impossibility preceding it.  

There can be no victory without adversity which must be overcome.

I took the picture above in August of 2014.  I had just begun a hike at one of my favorite places and enjoyed this amazing moment where a butterfly danced around me and simply stopped to pose for me to get this close and take her picture. I could have easily touched her. The butterfly overcame her own adversity of transformation  in order to have danced around me that day and shown off in all her glory.  And that morning, I had made myself a willing participant to take this upwards hike up to one of my favorite places of peace and beauty.  

Heroes Seeking Victory

 

Can you be an overcomer without enduring adversity?

Can you be a victor without fighting a battle?

Can you achieve without attempting success and risking failure?

Thoughts - In Spite of the Obstacles

The other afternoon there was a stunning sunset taking place. I reached for my camera and did my best to capture the God moment before it disappeared.  I became frustrated trying to snap pictures of the beauty in between all the houses around me.  I felt uncertain that I captured anything I would be pleased with or would do justice to the real thing. I wished I had noticed the sunset happening earlier so I could have driven to a better location with an unimpeded view. I was so doubtful, I simply put my camera away and didn’t even care to look at the pictures at that moment.  Subsequently, I forgot I had even taken them.