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.
When I started this series three weeks ago, I thought that I would be writing about a process that I had already been through. It turns out, I’m still in process.
As a blogger it’s really easy to present life in a way that looks happy and perfect, but I believe that I can do more good by sharing reality. I don’t want to be another blog that you hold your life up to and feel bad about yourself. I’m just gonna be real.
I would love to say that I’ve reached some incredible place in my life, but the truth is that I’m still discontent with where I am. It’s not so much about how much money or material things that we have (or don’t have), but more about a general dissatisfaction with the way I’m spending my life.
I just feel “blah”, but I don’t want to stay there.
As I’m working through this place, I decided to research some words that represent where I want to be, as opposed to where I currently am. Last week I looked up the word “inspire“.
INSPI’RE, v.t. To breathe life into.
When I read the definition, I realized that there are not many things going on right now that breathe life into me. My next phase of research is discovering exactly what inspires me:
trees and nature
encouraging others
the ocean
***cReaTiv!tY***
I only have a partial list for now, but I intend to find more (and to actually start DOING the things that inspire me!). I believe that finding the things that inspire me will also enable me to connect with God, and ultimately, to my purpose in life.
So, what about you? Do you have a list of things that breathe life into you?
Leave a comment and share so we can all be inspired. 🙂
next post in this series: Defining More
I find inspiration in the word of God. I know it may sound funny but I feel so inspired every morning when I say loudly out loud “This is the day the Lord has made and I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!!” Sometimes I will repeat it two or three times. It always perks me up!!!
That’s a great way to start the day Faye!
I have just completed reading “Nickle and Dimed” On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. Her experiences in working low income jobs (for benefit of reporting on it) and trying to survive on the money she earned was fascinating. This took place in the year 2000+/- and many of the jobs she worked pay no more today than they did then. However, the price of rents and other items necessary for survival have gone up substantially. More interesting to me were the people she worked with (and did business with) during her “travels”.
There is a great deal of pain and suffering in our world as low wage earners struggle to survive.
I know that I am blessed in so many ways even though I am a widow of 20+ years living on Social Security + small pension which just never provides all that is needed. Like extensive dental work (pending and, thank God, holding for the moment, hopefully until I can find the funds) and numerous home and auto repairs that seem to keep growing (I’m just keeping a running list and doing what I can when I can).
At 63 it is hard to find inspiration but I know to count my blessings and look to a better tomorrow – after all, there’s always the lottery or Publishers Clearing House (which I enter daily)! LOL
Seriously, though, I would recommend the book I just read to everyone. You may find inspiration there – at the very least, you will know that you are not alone in your struggles!
Having gone through almost 2 decades of chronic illness I often get to this point. Discontent, blah or even sometimes under or over stimulated. The one act that ignites a renewed fire within me is to return to “my first Love”. that is turning my face towards God, his Word and to prayer. I may pick up an old favorite devotion like Spurgeon’s “Morning & Evening” or Tom Watson’s work. And you know Kimberlee, I slowly become re-inspired. I start to see God’s creation around me as lovely and unique, and the people in my life as precious and not a burden. I may go through a long season where everything is “okay’, lovely even. And then dis-contentedness with “where am I going? ” questions rears up. Sometimes, along with renewing my commitment to reading God’s word and knowing Him, I toss aside several “routines” I may be in at that time, then substituting something that interests me, as you’ve noted above. BTW Kimberlee, I agree with many posters here who write that your life is a blessing to many. Amen.
The one thing I try hard NOT to do, is get my cues about who I am from the World (media, friends et al)! Have a Peaceful Day!
Thanks so much Barbara! I want to be a blessing. 🙂
I at times feel the same way! What inspires me is my gardening. When I see the seeds I planted sprout, flowers bloom, and watch the birds splash in my birdbath, I feel much better and more inspired. It’s definitely nature for me. Take a walk in the neighborhood on a different path, go to a new store or place, a change of scenery does us good. Thanks for your posts!
I don’t garden, but I love plants! Glad you enjoyed the post Laura. 🙂
I follow a few blogs, but I look forward to yours the most. I love how real it is. Like you mentioned, there are some that give an impression of being perfect and I find myself wishing I could be “super-woman”. Being real is so much better. Thank you for having such a truthful blog.
I can relate to this post. I am 30 years old. DH and I both work full time. We don’t have any children yet, but hopefully we can start trying in a few month. I have a small day surgery coming up soon, so we are waiting until that is over.
Lately I’ve felt like I need something else in life other than my routine day of getting up, going to work, coming home cooking, cleaning up and having a few precious hours to “live” then going to bed to repeat the next day. Leaving my job isn’t an option, so I need to find something else to fit in my few spare hours. I too have a “blah” feeling and just need to get out of this rut.
The last few weeks I found some really good deals here that I paired with coupons. I bought enough for our stockpile and then some extra because it was so cheap. I decided to give the extra to the food bank. It was just 5 cans of canned milk that I got for $1.25 ($0.25 per can), but it felt so good. This week I had another good deal on cases of Iced Tea. I have enough for six months for us, have supplied my parents, father in law and grandparents with some as well. I still had extra so gave a few cases to the food bank, and it only cost me $2.50 total. But Wow, what a good feeling!
We don’t have alot of extra money in our budget if we want to meet our goals, so supplying the food bank regularly isn’t something I can do at full price. However, I think I’m going to try more often to give when I can. My goal is now to give a donation once a month with items I can get for a low price. Minimal time, minimal cost but such a great reward. I’m hoping this will help in my journey to feel more purposeful. It’s a good place to start at least.
Thanks again for your inspiring yet real-life words. 🙂
That’s really neat Nichanda! Thank you for letting me know that the blog encouraged you. That makes me happy. 🙂
Wow! I know exactly where you are coming from. I am in that same place. I work fulltime outside of our home and our kids are homeschooled. My husband actually oversees that. I want to be home though, more involved in our church and just want more in life (not material or monetary). I actually am in the process of starting my own blog but not sure the exact path want to take it(coupons deals and shopping trips to start). With so many people praying for a job , I am praying to find a way to be home. Feel like there is more that the Lord is wanting me to do just cant get out of my own way to figure it out. Thank you for your posts!
You are welcome Kristin!
Kimberlee, I feel like I am in a similar place. As much as I love my life and family, there is no passion for me outside of home. I haven’t figured out what I love to do, what I am here for, what will drive me to be even better. I hope I have some revelations of my own while reading about your journey. Thank you for sharing your life with us… <3
When I need to feel inspired but feel stuck, I’ve found that the fastest way to get out of that funk is to think of the first person that I can serve in some way right NOW, it can be just ironing my DH’s shirts for him since I never do it or taking a plate of cookies over to a neighbor that happens to come to mind and taking the time to talk to them. It’s amazing how inspired you can feel when your first thought is for someone else and how it really can fill you up as well.
Of course it doesn’t hurt to throw something in for myself while I’m at it, like right now I’m making a sugar scrub for a few ladies at church so I’m making one for myself as well, I love a nice sugar scrub.
Thanks Andrea! It is true that serving someone else can help when you are feeling stuck. We were able to help a couple of people last night and it was really encouraging.
I think that the process that I am going through is really examining long term what feeds me so that I can continue to help and serve others. Facing burnout isn’t helpful for anyone.
You inspire me! I stuggle just to get out of bed. Ah, another day. I should be joyful just to be alive. Then I see how you are so diligent to rise early, take care and plan for your family and also share with us. What a blessing you are. I think you are already fulfulling a great purpose in your life but I’m sure there is also more for you:)
It is true that we must seek to find out what inspires us and what brings hope and excitement for living. The first thing that I can think of is nature. I love flowers and trees and the beauty they bring to our lives. I will keep searching.
I’m sorry that you are feeling down, but so glad that I can encourage you. I hope that you will find ways to enjoy nature every day! 🙂
You hit the nail on the head with God’s presence! He is ever faithful, unfortunately it is us, as humans, who fail to delight in Him always… and it’s not always easy! Everything else that comes to mind for my list spawns from that truth… my husband, my children, the talents (too often unused) that He has given me. Great idea!
Thanks Suzanne!
Have I told you lately that I appreciate you? I first came to your blog for the savings, then for the gluten-free posts, and I just appreciate your authenticity, your genuine love for God, and your encouragement. From your side of the computer, you probably don’t always get to see the difference you make, but you’re doing great work, sister! Praying for you today!
Thank you so much Nancy. I did need to hear that today!
I need a “like” button here. Since there isn’t one I’ll just say I agree with Nancy. Kimberlee, you are doing great work. You are an encouragement to me. When I fail at not sticking to my budget I just want to forget the whole thing. However, I’ll read your posts, pick up and continue on.
I sincerely thank you for what you are doing.
I am so glad that I have encouraged you Lori! It’s my pleasure. 🙂