For the last two weeks I’ve written about exercises that help me live my story with intention. (Here and Here)
There’s one more of these I want to share with you. This is the easiest exercise by far and I promise it has potential to bring priorities into focus like nothing else. (It’s also given me attitude adjustments on several occasions 🙂 )
Ask yourself this:
What do I want my story to say in five years, about my life today?
Let me explain…this little exercise was in a message that Andy Stanley taught several years ago. He explained that every phase we live through, in retrospect, becomes part of our story. Think about it, if you’re telling someone about your high school years, you condense it into a paragraph or into a small piece of the whole of your life.
So, do that with your life today. In 5 years what do you want your story to say about how you lived today?
Some of you may be in the midst of life altering circumstances like a loss of someone you love, a serious illness, or financial pressures …in 5 years, what do you want to tell someone about how you lived through where you are right now?
But even more sobering I think is that some of us have very little external pressure right now, yet we live negative. Allowing cynicism and stress to steal our days. Too often I’ve entered a chapter of pain in my life and looked back, wishing I’d enjoyed the chapter before.
So whatever your circumstances right now, in 5 years what do you want your story to say about how you’re living today?
I’m actually doing this in my quiet time this week because I’m a little bit stuck in a struggle right now.
What’s your story today my friends? Are you living a chapter free of heavy burdens or are you struggling?
As always, I’d love to pray for you. (You can leave a comment or email me at: rrg723 @ yahoo dot com)
~I’m sending you love sweet ones~
GREAT inspiration Robin! I too, love Andy and will listen to his sermon later this evening when time allows. That is a great line, Live the story you want to tell in 5 years. I’ve written it down and am taping it next to my computer screen. I am going through something horrific and have been for a year now. It is my hope that in 5 years I will look back and see that it was Him who carried me through it all and as long as it is Him, then I know it will be a wonderful story to tell.
Thanks again Robin. I really enjoy your writings.
~Velvet
Just listened to Andy. Thanks, Robin. I needed it. So, so powerful. So were your words.
My love,
Julie
I’m going there now. I Sooooooo need this. Thank you.
.-= sherri´s last blog ..Brushes with Greatness =-.
Thank, Robin. I’ve been going through the same mental exercise all week after hearing Andy on Sunday. You couldn’t have said it better! Love keeping in touch with you through your blog. Blessings today, Jane
Jane I was so happy to see your name! love and hugs~
HI Robin, I have BEEN through menopause, gained some weight that despite my intense efforts of exercising and eating healthy just will not come off, maybe a pound or 3 and then they are bAAAACK! AAAUUUGGGHHH! BUT, I have to say, I enjoy my life. I am happy and serene….most days:) I have been in Al-Anon for 4 years now and it has changed my life. I have many alcoholics/addicts in my life, who are all either gone or in recovery, so this program has been a life saver. In 5 years I hope I will be happy with how I am living right now. I try every day. YOU are a wonderful source of inspiration to me too, so thank you! Love, Pinky
Pinky I just love you girl. I love it when you say you’re happy and enjoy your life. I’m keeping my eye on that goal. love love love to you.
Robin, although I have some years before menopause (I’m 36) my mom had to have a hysterectomy so I can’t look to her as to what to expect. Your blog has been wonderful to learn from. I, like you, try to find the humor in everything so I feel like I fit right in. I love this posting because it’s inspiring. This really makes me think about everyday choices and where I want to be. Our youngest is 16 months old and I have weight I need to loose! I see pictures of you and your hubby at the Cotton Fair and respect you for having healthy habits even though you could stand to ‘let loose’ a bit. Thank you for the inspiration and in five years I hope to say, “five years ago I decided to get back to healthy living and lost all the weight I needed to while gaining very healthy habits along the way”!
.-= Mindi W.´s last blog ..Black Creates Drama!!! =-.
my post today is also about living in the past
.-= angi´s last blog ..Pioneer Life =-.
i just love the way you take the time to look at the big picture of your life. being nuts and laughing at yourself is a great quality [one i have to have since i do dumb things all the time :)] and you know you have many friends here ready to laugh along with you 🙂
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Blog Peep Questions: Round 8 =-.
Thanks for the exercise! I have written this one down and will hope to think about this every day. Blessings and vision as you deal with whatever you are facing. LORD please give Robin the vision of what You already know You she will share down the road. Please make Yourself known.
I’m not who I was five years ago. And you get lots of credit for it!!!
THANK YOU.
for me, thinking about the next five years seems to be a lot of what’s consuming my thoughts. i’m in that big hairy time of transition from everyday parenting to empty nest, and i’m intentionally seeking God to find out what He wants for me next.
when i look back on this time in five years, i want to be able to say that i saw what He wanted me to see about myself, i entered into His plan for me, and i didn’t squander the gifts {including each day} that He gave being preoccupied with my inadequacies. i want to embrace TRUTH and walk forward, allowing Him to reveal Himself through all i do and say and experience.
this isn’t easy stuff, but HE is present in it, and He WILL get the glory for it. Reading Romans 8 in the Message this morning helped realign my mindset.
love you, woman of GOD!