Steep Life and Shape 2017 has inflated me with such inspiration; the idea of writing something new and fresh enraptured and challenged me.
Steep Life and Shape 2017 has also deflated me with unreachable expectations; the idea of writing something new and fresh crushed and discouraged me.
As my commitment began to slowly unravel, I began to re-think of the original purpose of "Shape 2017". I lost sight what "shaping 2017" was supposed to look like, and I became more committed of keeping my commitment than actually staying married to the beauty and wonder of writing to inspire. Forcing and forging art is not art at all.
Confession: Writing for 365 days became another accolade - an achievement I wanted to be able to check off my list and say "yes, I did this!" As days and weeks passed, nothing "new and fresh" was flowing anymore. I felt like I failed myself and you, and I began questioning if I was really a writer.
The definition of passion is a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything.
I knew I had passion for writing, so what was my problem. As I looked more into the original meaning of passion, this word gained a whole new meaning for me.
The word passion was created to describe and embody what Christ did on the cross, to suffer and submit.
This is what true passion is, to have that kind of commitment, zeal, ardor, or fervor like Jesus.
Every human being has a passion, enthusiasm or desire for something, but are we really willing to sacrifice the time, to suffer for our hopes and dreams. Are we willing to be that passionate? I asked myself this question, and a sad realization began to surface. I was not willing to suffer and submit to this art, this gift that I know God gave me. As I began to look back at my journey of "shaping 2017", I saw that since my passion was calling me to sacrifice, to work, to suffer, I chose the easier way out which was simply giving up, burying my gift for another day or season.
Today, I am writing and committing to pick this gift up again, but with a commitment of staying committed to the purpose, the why, of Shape 2017. I know this passion of mine will take sacrifice and suffering, but that is what makes it a passion - a real gut-wrenching, deep down from one's soul passion. If you are wondering, I am committed to creating out of the overflow of inspiration and wonder and writing 1-2 thoughtful posts a week. It will be featured under the "This Week" tab and moved into the Shape 2017 after the week ends.
I am excited to get back on this journey with greater honesty to myself, God, and you. I encourage you to pick up your passion wherever you last buried it whether it was a week ago or a decade ago. You were created for more than what you are settling for now. Please know you are not alone. The struggle is real! If you are living out your passion, please share your story with others.
Let's redeem this word this year. Let's be willing to sacrifice, suffer, get uncomfortable, to strive for the gifts, talents, dreams, and hopes that God has for us this year.
Shape 2017 by not allowing life's circumstances to deflate and inflate you. Allow this journey, shaping 2017, to carry you and guide you closer to what you are really made of.