Start Where You Are

As i sit in Starbucks, drinking from my new Christmas mug, I'm breathing in deeply and savouring every moment of this lovely day off.

It has been over two years since my last blog entry - tisk tisk - but I'm excited to start again. I'm starting in a new season, and in many ways as a new Miranda. You see, this has not just been a 2+ yr gap of no writing, this has been 2+ yr adventure of crazy, wild, healing and restoration.

Although we are never really "done" processing, I feel that I am definitely on the other side of this latest season. And now I can breathe a little bit deeper. I can finally articulate a little clearer all that has happened to me these last couple years. (I will however leave that for another day's entry.)

What I do want to express today, is an encouragement and a challenge to those who may come across this blog entry.

I want to tell you...

It is never too late to start again.
You can begin fresh, with a clean slate.
Start right now, right where you are.

Maybe you feel messy, broken, like you have nothing to offer? That's not entirely true. It may be true that you feel messy and broken, but I feel obliged to tell you that you actually have something powerful to offer from that place.

For whatever reason, perhaps cultural, we have come to believe that we have to have all our "ducks in a row", and feel strong and confident, before we can DO or BE something. Some have believed that their mistakes and mess disqualify them from such doing and being.

Take for instance the fact that I have a dream and desire to one day write books that will impact people powerfully. Books that will remind them who they are, and spur them on to greatness. Books that will call out what is deep within them and challenge them to do the same for others. That all sounds incredibly exciting. Problem is, I have yet to write them. I believe they are buried somewhere deep within me, and I hope to some day release them.

Not too long ago, a friend challenged me to start writing. I argued that I didn't know where to start???? She quickly challenged me with "start where you are." Those words hit me on a deeper level than she could have imagined. They felt like a knife jabbed into my heart, only thing is, they didn't wound me, they released pressure (picture one of those doctor shows where someone can't breathe and the doctor cuts into the neck and inserts a tube and oxygen begins to flow again). Ok, so now what? Where am I? How do I start? As a way to start my writing journey and passion again, she encouraged me to start blogging again. To make a commitment to blog at least once a week. So here I am. Blog entry one of this new season.

What is it that you need to do to start right where you are?

Have you been lonely and longing for connection? Maybe you need to invite one friend for coffee this week.

Has your fear of being vulnerable kept you from releasing your creativity? Pick up a pen, a brush, an instrument tonight and create something. Release a single sound or stroke and see how you feel.

Have you made a move to a new place to pursue a dream and seen it unfulfilled? Go for a walk and breathe the dream in deeply again. Remind yourself that God's timing is perfect.

Wherever you are, whatever you long for, start where you are. Do one thing to point you in the direction of your dream.

I am. Consider this blog entry my first step in the direction of my first of many books.