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Daily Question, February 20

How can I start where I am and use what I have toward a purpose that’s calling me?

  • Love Abundantly

    Knowing that I can start where I am is the first step in me starting. I am aware! I believe even with an unknown path that I can create. God has given me the scriptures. I have relatively good thinking abilities as well. I am being intentional and while I have strength I am building and seeking support so that in my moments of weakness my support system will aid in strengthening me.

  • Javier Visionquest

    Why don’t purpose ever call?

  • Maeve

    Today; starting where I am. My first official day of school break. My purpose: to enjoy the sun. Take a walk in the early morning.
    Spend time with my friend in her assisted living facility. Walk some more. Love the day and my freedom from work obligations this week. Take time to enjoy what and who is around me.

  • Ed Schulte

    any attitude which contains ….

    God of Life Love and mercy, enlighten our minds so that we may understand you as the truth. Purify our hearts to reflect your Love towards you and towards all our fellow human beings.

    Bless our steps so that we can follow you.

  • Mary Pat

    By remembering that daily things have a purpose as well, and to sit down and take a look at what I want to keep in my life, and what I want to leave by the path that is no longer needed. And the only way I can do that is to spend time with what I call my soul…..

  • mam_gigi

    I have to simply quite my mind and prioritize. I have so many ideas about what I want to do to help others and make progress toward goals, but I get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of my mental to-do list. So I need to take a step back and think about what I can achieve right now and what simple steps I could take one at a time towards my list.

  • Don Jones

    My sense is it is about awareness – specifically raising it. Looking critically at tightly woven assumptions in the fabric of the community and look for the “why”. For example, why is heath a for-profit industry? Why is it OK to be rich or even worse, held out to be a picture of success? Time to awaken…

  • Hermann-Josef

    Once I know the purpose, inhale ,exhale, go… checking the tools which I have, if I need help, I will ask for it. After a wile have a pause to see if some correction is needed. It is like painting on canvas. First some gross lines, that are giving structure, then going more and more in to detail. Leave it for a wile, then look at it, making corrections , going on. Please excuse my weak English

    • sparrow

      Your English is fine,
      dear Hermann-Josef . . .
      I’m lucky if I can come up with a small handful of German words . . .
      I love your analogy to painting a picture . . .

  • Hot Sauce

    Where I am right now, I have gained quite a bit of wisdom over the past 12.5 years on my spiritual journey. As such, I can remember that, even when I feel uncertain about deep questions, the knowledge I have already obtained can be very helpful in my future ministry as a Unitarian Universalist minister.

  • Carol
    This question reminds me of a true story. I was in Newark NJ many years ago visiting a friend and I wanted to see a Broadway show but found it intimidating to take a bus into New York City, find my way to Broadway and the theatre so she very graciously took time off from work so she could take me on my Broadway adventure. When we arrived at the extremely busy bus station in Manhattan, we saw an elderly couple (in their 80s) getting off a bus from Queens. They were both very nervous and seemed ov...

    This question reminds me of a true story. I was in Newark NJ many years ago visiting a friend and I wanted to see a Broadway show but found it intimidating to take a bus into New York City, find my way to Broadway and the theatre so she very graciously took time off from work so she could take me on my Broadway adventure. When we arrived at the extremely busy bus station in Manhattan, we saw an elderly couple (in their 80s) getting off a bus from Queens. They were both very nervous and seemed overwhelmed and so my friend asked them if she could help them. They explained that they were in Queens visiting their son and he had planned to bring them to New York to see the musical “Forty Second Street.” but he had unexpectedly been called into work that day so insisted they go to the show without him. He put them on the bus to Manhattan and gave them directions to the theatre district which was nearby. When they gave us that information, we told them we were headed to Broadway to see a show and we would help them find their theatre. We also offered to stop by their theatre after the matinees let out as all of the plays last about the same amount of time. They declined our offer saying they could make it back to the bus station. After our show, we were returning to the bus station and saw them a short distance in front of us. As we entered the station, they were on the escalator and the gentleman was shaking violently. I was afraid he was going to fall down the steps. I said to my friend, “Maybe they should have stayed in Queens.” She didn’t skip a beat. She looked at me in disbelief and said, “And miss the show??” I’ve never forgotten that incident, especially since I struggle with anxiety. I’ve missed a lot of opportunities in my life due to psychological fear but not so much any more. Even if I’m shaking in your boots, I don’t want to miss the show. I pray each morning to go with the flow and to learn from what presents itself. I find life trustworthy and do my best to be of service each day. Kindness and compassion provide all the purpose I need.

    Read More
    • Lauryn

      I’ve been to this bus station many times, so I could picture this scene perfectly.

  • Antoinette

    I can try my best each day with whatever is- and as for a calling ? Right now I’m surrendering.

  • Holly in Ohio

    Time to start seeds indoors. (peppers and tomatoes and herbs)

    I try to start “seeds” with my family, too. (reducing planet footprint, compassion for strangers, etc.) I don’t seem to have as much success with that, Lol! I’m better at growing vegetables!

    • Cathie
      Well, don't be so sure - sometimes the "seeds" just need time and the right starter:) My hubby pulled up his garden last year as it didn't produce well, and low and behold, one chocolate tomato plant popped back up THIS YEAR in a fallow garden, and it produced a lovely yield! We were in awe and just giggled at the timing of that growth! These tomato plants are not perennials, but there it was:) I believe the same of people, the seeds that seem dormant in lives can spring to life at times unkn...

      Well, don’t be so sure – sometimes the “seeds” just need time and the right starter:) My hubby pulled up his garden last year as it didn’t produce well, and low and behold, one chocolate tomato plant popped back up THIS YEAR in a fallow garden, and it produced a lovely yield! We were in awe and just giggled at the timing of that growth! These tomato plants are not perennials, but there it was:)
      I believe the same of people, the seeds that seem dormant in lives can spring to life at times unknown.

      Read More
      • Holly in Ohio
        Thank you for reminding me that seeds sometimes lay dormant for years! 😄🌱 We grow tomato plants as annuals when we are gardening or farming, but they are actually cold-sensitive perennials. They are native to Mexico, where in natural conditions they can grow for years in the same spot. I'm so glad you had a chocolate tomato plant "volunteer." Those are one of my favorites... yum! I hope this year you try again. 🤗 Perhaps some of the many seeds I've tossed into the soil, hoping, w...

        Thank you for reminding me that seeds sometimes lay dormant for years! 😄🌱

        We grow tomato plants as annuals when we are gardening or farming, but they are actually cold-sensitive perennials. They are native to Mexico, where in natural conditions they can grow for years in the same spot. I’m so glad you had a chocolate tomato plant “volunteer.” Those are one of my favorites… yum! I hope this year you try again. 🤗

        Perhaps some of the many seeds I’ve tossed into the soil, hoping, will one day decide to come up!

        Read More
    • Howie Geib

      planting seeds…a step in the process towards a living vibrant plant…and that process is dependent on so many forces outside our control…and yet you, dear Holly, take the initiative to plant it, water it, nurture it as you can. Thanks for this reminder of the collaborative nature of it all.

  • Charlie T

    By starting my day with reflection and gratitude. By continuing my routine, I am better able to reach out and connect with people, but it requires attention and energy that I have to nurture. Also, by not making excuses and being honest with myself and others. I’m not sure about a calling or purpose, as most of the time I’m just moving forward and wondering what this whole thing is about.

  • Laura

    I try each day to be a compassionate human being, using kindness, patience and empathy.

  • Elle

    Be brave enough to believe in what I have to ‘add to the conversation’- in whichever way I choose to express it. Be brave and see ‘where’, what I want to contribute to the world would live…..outside of me. Let go & know I’m worth believing in myself.

  • Cathie

    I start where I am with my purpose – Now I Begin Again – by renewing each day, my “YES” to my purpose/vocation in life as wife, mother and grandmother. The decision to be married was a decision to a purpose and vocation in life. It requires I use what gifts I have been given. And within my main vocation/purpose, there are echos of callings that I can answer such as helping to reduce our carbon footprint, helping the homeless, or those seeking, or families who need assistance, etc.

  • Maurice Frank

    I am living through this right now, a calling, and many obstacles. I am learning all I can to prepare, that is what I can do now.

  • Patricia

    I’m using my life energy to be there for and help my family, and to contribute to my church and community…

  • devy

    What I have is a frame of mind to keep a relative calm mind in spite of whats happening around me. By doing so and showing love and compassion to others perhaps they will feel what I feel or do and feel the same

  • Howie Geib

    Sometimes the most abundant resource I have is my lostness. And strangely it seems to provide a certain strength or even, maybe, a conduit to power. Not a power to acquire as my own, but a power to bring to others. I have no idea what that even means, except that all I ever ‘have’ is where I am.

    • Carol

      Howie, sounds like empowerment and that’s a good thing!

    • Mica

      Thanks, Howie – I’ll try to remember that my lostness is also a resource 🙂

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