Welcome to the Beyond $28,000 A Year series–the story of how our family is learning to live a “MORE” life. Click here to read more posts in this series.
Read the original $28,000 series here.
ASPI”RE, v.i. [L. aspiro, to breathe. See Aspirate.]
1. To desire with eagerness; to seek to attain something high or great; to pant; to long;
2. To rise; to ascend; to tower; to soar.
To aspire means to want more, to metaphorically run after something so hard that it becomes difficult to breathe.
I believe that God created us with a desire to grow and change– a desire for more.
In my last post I told you that early this year I began to think about passion–what was it and why didn’t I have any? At the time, I was very unhappy with my life. I not only lacked passion, but I lacked vision and direction as well. I began to experience that desire for more.
As I prayed, I felt impressed to make a vision board. I collected words, phrases and pictures that encouraged me to move past where I was at the time. I knew that I had to accept my circumstances as they were, but I also knew that I could live life better. I could love my family better. I could be more creative, more focused, more productive, more intentional.
Let me take a little timeout here to say that it’s very important not to be caught up in a performance mentality. Our value is not found in what we produce or how much we do. God loves us for who we are, not for what we do for Him or for anyone else (remind me later that I wrote that. 🙂 ).
With that being said, I knew at the time that I did not want to waste my life because after all, I only have one. Making a vision board enabled me to start defining what “more” meant for me and for our family.
I’ll share more about my journey in my next post, but for now…
What about you? What do you aspire to? What do you want more of in your life? Share in the comments. 🙂
next post in this series: Get Inspired
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After over a year of trying to get pregnant, we finally did. Only to lose it two weeks later. I realized I want, more than anything, to be a stay at home mom. I haven’t figured out how to accomplish this yet. As of now we can’t live on one income, even with the only debt being our house. I will figure it out. Maybe.
I am so sorry for your loss Leah. I haven’t experienced that myself, but have friends who have and it is devastating. I pray that God will comfort you.
I struggle to find my passion. I do not feel passionate about anything really. The closest thing I find I am excited about is “minimalism”. I love the idea of cleaning out my junk and making a calm, peaceful home (at least as far as clutter goes) and I have been slowly working on it for a couple of years now. I have done just about as much of my stuff as I can, and now hubby is getting excited about it too…at just the perfect time, as we have our 2nd baby due in November and my nesting instinct kicked in about a week ago :). I am hoping that when our home is cleared out it will be easier for me to keep it clean (hard to do when there is clutter everywhere), and then I will have more time to spend with my babies while I still have them home with me. I also want to learn to cook healthier meals, but still on a tight budget. Reading your posts on meal planning has really been helping me out in that area.
I think making your home peaceful is a wonderful passion. When you are in the young mom stage (especially pregnancy), family life is pretty all-consuming. You are doing yourself a big favor by simplifying so you can enjoy those babies. Outside passions may come later, but just make sure to take a little time for yourself at least weekly so you can avoid burnout.
I am grateful for your post. When I took my current job, I truly felt it was where God wanted me. Lately, I no longer feel that same peace with my position. I am seeking clarification of whether to change…and how. I do not have a clear path and am at a loss for direction. I am trying to listen for the whispers of where he leads me…but am straining to hear. It is a blessing to read about other mothers journeys.
I pray that God will give you clear direction Tricia.
We too live on a very small income. It can be discouraging month after month of living like this. I want more childlike faith in my life, the faith to not wonder how our needs are going to be met. I want more joy, the joy that spills over into my household and children’s lives. Thank you for your post! I think we will make a board for our house next week during school time.
I pray that God will reveal Himself to you in a HUGE way Meg!
By the way, once again I want to say how much I love this series, and how excited I am to hear more of your thoughts on this topic, as you always have awesome insights!
Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate your encouragement. 🙂
I aspire to be a better mother. There is nothing I want more than to be satisfied with myself as a mother. I’m not saying there aren’t other things I would like (such as a house on Cape Cod, the financial ability to quit my part-time job, etc). But being a good mother is my ultimate dream and aspiration.
That is very true Claire. Our roles as wife and mother should be preeminent!
Wow..God was speaking to me through your post. Its not what you do, it’s who you are. I recently had to give up a job because of health issues and am struggling in this area. Who am I if I cannot do what I once did..these are the questions that have been going over and over in my head and then I click on the link to your blog and find this. God speaks through others and I am thankful that He choose you today:)
I am sorry that you are struggling Kim, but so glad that I could encourage you. That actually wasn’t in the original post, but I added it this morning when I was editing–just for you! 🙂
I went thru what Kim is going thru about 6 years ago. After a 2 level spinal fusion in my lower back, I was unable to work as an R.N. any longer. I was unable to work period. It’s taken me almost all of the past 6 years to come to terms with it and to be happy in my new role. I am married to a wonderful man who doesn’t feel less of me because I am unable to work. I have a total of 8 children who also love me for the mom and grandmother I am. We’re about to have our 18th grandchild and I love being able to be home and available for our children and grandchildren. I am limited to how I care for them but not by HOW MUCH I love them. That is something God has put into my heart. Hang in there Kim.