one word: thrive

 
My heart of hearts longs to soar, to do all the things I’ve ever dreamed of doing. My mind tends to get in the way, telling me that I “can’t” or I “shouldn’t” or “not just yet.” It’s been a lifelong struggle between my creative, passionate heart and my logical, fearful intellect. And yet I still long to soar. To thrive. To be more than I ever dreamed I could be and all that I’ve ever wanted to be. I want to do more, say more, dream more, and I want to find the fulfillment that has often been lacking in my life.
 
I love the word “vigorously” in the definition of thrive. It reminds me that there is action involved. I will never achieve a level of satisfaction without stepping out and pursuing it. It’s not enough to stand still and “grow”; I must develop vigorously. Only then will I achieve all that my heart desires. Only then will I understand what it means to thrive.
 

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This post was derived from the list of inspiration words gathered on Ali Edwards’s blog and from the concept of writing about one word.
 

one word: better

Like many other Americans, there is a part of me that wants to be the very best, but for me, personally, I have always felt it enough to simply be “better”. Better than before, better than most of the competition, better than I believe I can be. That is quite often enough for me. It doesn’t mean I have no drive or ambition; it simply means I’ve learned to accept that I am human and that I will fail. Miserably and often. And I’ve learned to be okay with that. As long as I have a small measure of success — in my own eyes as much as in the eyes of others — then I am quite content with my life and with all the times that I will fail. Because… I can see many times when I didn’t fail. When I did better than failure. And that is truly enough. I believe that’s all we can ask of ourselves, in fact. To be “better” more often than “worse”, and to love ourselves even when we are not the best. Because there will be more opportunities, and on those occasions we can strive to be better than before. It’s always about having another chance. And honestly, it’s just a relief when I take the pressure off of myself and expect nothing more than to move forward in my life journey. Forward is better than backward, and another opportunity is better than none at all. Each new step, with each new chance to succeed or fail, is truly better than standing still and doing nothing at all. And I never want to find myself standing still if there’s something better to be had.
 
This post was derived from the list of inspiration words gathered on Ali Edwards’s blog and from the concept of writing about one word.

2009 Scripture Memory (8 of 24) : 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 
We are pressed on every side by troubles,
     but we are not crushed and broken.
We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit.
We are hunted down, but God never abandons us.
We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT, Every Man’s Bible)

2009 Scripture Memory (7 of 24): ISAIAH 40:28-31

The final verse of this passage is my dad’s life verse, so it has always held a very special place in my heart and I’ve always felt I should commit it to memory in honor of him. And then, just a few days ago, this same passage was forwarded to me by my dear friend Cerella as a possible memory selection. The version in The Message is quite pointed and will be part of my reflection on the passage as I seek to hide it in my heart, but I have chosen the Amplified version because of the imagery related to strength and the eagle. I am humbled by these words, but I am also filled with great excitement; now, more than ever, I am called to remember the Source of my Strength.
 

 
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.
 
He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].
 
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;
 
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. — Isaiah 40:28-31 (Amplified)