My thoughts - a Reflection April 2018
Re-assessing my life goals & being authentic
Before writing this post, I sat with myself and I re-assessed my life goals. I feel this process is vital for my desire to live an authentic life. I have learned, whenever I feel anxious or unsure of myself I need to come back to my values and beliefs because they will not lead me down a wrong path.
With this reflection, I have decided, especially right now, working on my social media “life” isn’t super important. However, after my last reflection I did download and start using a Twitter Account (@kpalms423).
Being updated frequently with new happenings in the plant based world has had an uplifting impact on my day, I have also liked the opportunity to use Twitter to vent about some experiences with people who don’t understand being plant based, to post my thoughts, and retweet awesome articles from the plant based world that I find important.
If you are looking to add an interactive tool to your toolbox download a twitter and only follow people that are sharing your values and beliefs. It is very helpful :)
A new job…
As I am moving into my late twenties I had realized and become aware that I needed to figure out a career. I prayed for clarity and direction.
The process was beautiful.
Not soon after I started praying for clarity I was asked to apply for a position that I truly wasn’t sure about, but felt called to prepare for… I spent days working on my resume, tweaking and improving it, with my parents help; because up until this point, I had never actually used my resume to find a Job. I was lucky that connections and timing had worked out on my behalf.
Well, even during the interview I received a gut instinct that it wasn’t the right move, I was confused why life called me to apply for this position but then…
Out of the blue, a connection reached out to me about opportunities in the non-profit world of Traverse City. It was exciting, I truly had not explored opportunities in the non-profit world, although it had always been on the back of my mind because of our Family Foundation and the conferences and trainings I have had.
I found out the perfect position for me was due that day, yes, the day I was contacted by my connection I needed to have my cover letter and resume in! The greatest part of this was if I did not prepare my resume for the previous interview that I knew wasn’t the right fit, there would have been no way, NO WAY, that I could have applied for a position with the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.
“Sometimes we have to take action, even if it doesn’t feel like the right fit, because it could launch you into you next blessing from God. Trust the process, expect grace, and know that everything will work out for His Glory.”
Now, I didn’t end up receiving the position I applied for, and when I first heard that I was soo bummed. BUT! Then an unexpected, grace filled, blessing happened… I was offered a new position that the Community Foundation Staff created just for me! A position that will lead me with opportunity to grow and it is truly a great fit.
Again, as I reflected on my life goal, which I have known since 2012, to run a wellness retreat in Leelanau, Michigan I gained yet again new clarity. I want this wellness retreat and educational center to be like Kripalu Center for Wellness and Health in Stockbridge Massachusetts. Kripalu is mission driven and donor supported nonprofit educational organization dedicated to empowering people and communities to realize their full potential through the transformative wisdom and practice of yoga. This realization brought me peace. I have no idea how long it will take me to get to my end goal, but thriving at the Community Foundation will definitely be a part of the process!
I start tomorrow May 1, wish me luck <3
Be Still Retreat…
April 14 and 15, I participated in a weekend Holy Yoga Retreat. It was so special to be with women celebrating Jesus through yoga, person to person interaction, prayer, and studying the word. One of the most impactful parts of that weekend was during our Devotional Meditation. Our retreat leader, Sherry Pauling Mcwilliam, read Psalm 46 three times. She asked us to listen to what stood out each time and then reflect on that at the end.
The first time she read the entire Psalm 46, “Surrender your anxiety & see that I am God” stood out to me.
The second time she read Psalm 46, “Be silent and stop your striving & you will see that I am God!” shook my entire being.
And the third time I truly head all that I needed from that weekend. Psalm 46:10 from Passion Translation.
“Surrender your anxiety!
Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God.
I am the God above all the nations,
and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.”
Daddy Daughter Date…
My dad and I had been talking about how we hadn’t had time to hangout with each other, that we would really like to get some daddy daughter time in. While I was down on my retreat I stayed at my dad’s house from Friday at 10pm to Saturday 8 am (that definitely wasn’t daddy daughter time). I hadn’t had plans to go back to his apartment. I knew that I had to get back up north for work…. But then! A huge snow storm made it so I had the opportunity to spend two more nights with my father. We truly got to enjoy each other’s company and I was so grateful for the unexpected daddy daughter time :) How special, we didn’t even have to plan for it. It happened better than I could have imagined, but we did have the intention out there.
My dad and I went to see I Can Only Imagine and we were the only two in the entire theatre… pretty fun. If you haven’t seen I Can Only Imagine, I really recommend going and maybe you should go with your father too!
Vegan Carrot Cake made by my magnificent mother! Carrots made out of marzipan!
Turning 26…
As I move into my late 20’s I smile at my mistakes, my worries, my fears, my insecurities. I breathe into every inch of my body, and know that areas I want to change I can change. I sink into the feeling of clear skin, a sound mind, and a faith that can take me further than I could ever imagine. It has been quite the journey… and I will continue to build my tool case as I age gracefully, healthfully, and easily.
Thank you Lord for always being with me. Thank you Lord for bringing restoration for my family. Thank you Lord for creating a life for me in Northern Michigan. Thank you for my friends, my new job, and the opportunities to come. I praise you for our health, financial security, and abundance in all areas. I praise you for a beautiful Northern Michigan summer and the new traditions we get to make. Oh, and for the special relationships that you will bring into my life. I love you.
<3 Katherine