We set goals, personal, professional, and physical, working toward them, systematically, purposefully, and consistently. We stay the course keeping our eyes on the prize.
Our goals change throughout our lives. We attain some. Miss the mark on others. We adjust as we go, learning from our mistakes and gaining wisdom from our experiences. However, our purpose is always the same: to achieve something.
From an early age, I learned to set goals. The second of six children, one of those goals was often to escape the chaos of growing up in a large family. My escape was books. I remember setting goals for how many books I’d read during the summer or how many new words I’d add to my word journal. I can laugh at that now. But from it, my love of learning took shape and grew.
As I grew older I remember setting goals that guided me as a runner. Others that shaped my academic career. I became a teacher and with that, experienced many highs and lows.
Facing challenges is part of setting goals and achieving them.
At some point along the way, I began to focus more on my weaknesses than my strengths. I developed an eating disorder and over exercised to reach the goals I’d set for my body. Unrealistic ones to be sure, but in the middle of it my eyes were on the prize of perfection so I failed to acknowledge the pitfalls ahead of me.
As the years passed, the challenges I faced became more overwhelming. The loss of loved ones, illness, the responsibilities of being a parent, financial struggles, and the constant pressure I placed on myself to be perfect impacted me in detrimental ways. I turned to drinking after losing my father and for over a decade drowned my anxiety and depression in a bottle. I checked out. Much of that time is filled with horrible choices, pain, anger, guilt, and darkness.
It wasn’t until after our daughter’s battle with cancer and the unexpected death of my best friend that I reached out for help. I’d hit rock bottom and my only goal in that moment was to survive one more day.
That took surrender, faith, and dedication to my spiritual growth and healing. During the early months of recovery, my goals were spiritual ones. They had to be. Nothing else was going to lift me out of the darkness. Nothing else would provide the true peace or wisdom I’d need to navigate a world where things had ceased to make sense.
Spiritual goals are far more significant than any other goals we set.
There’s no better goal nor greater purpose in our lives than to draw closer to our Creator. If you’ve lost control, as I had, there’s no other option than to give it all to God.
As I moved deeper into my recovery journey, my desire for God and spiritual nourishment grew. Spiritual nourishment is how we feed our souls. Turning to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the deepest form of spiritual nourishment. Jesus’ words are filled with love, forgiveness, and teachings that draw us closer to God. His words are a promise ultimately fulfilled by His death and resurrection. They are meant to help us grow and mature spiritually, but more than that, they help us keep our eyes on the ultimate prize: Eternal Life.
Nurturing our spirits creates a sense of peace, purpose, and fulfillment like nothing else ever will.
Keeping my eyes on the ultimate prize meant setting spiritual goals and working toward achieving them.
I’ve been in recovery for over six years now. Gratefully so. As we all do, I’ve experienced hardships and struggles. What I’ve not done is relapse. My commitment to sobriety and healing is greater today than on day one. I give God all the glory for that.
Deeping my spiritual connection to God by embracing silence.
In these moments I unplug from the world, reflect, and listen. As a writer and poet, these moments of silence often result in journaling and writing. I’m inspired by God’s presence within me and compelled to express my gratitude for the trials and the joys I’ve experienced. Through the trials, I’ve learned humility and gained wisdom. The joys remind me of the magnitude of God’s love and the beauty of forgiveness and grace.
Living each day with purpose.
I try to use the talents God has blessed me with to contribute positively to the world around me. I like to bake so I often bring treats for my co-workers to enjoy. Continuing to share my recovery journey through poetry and writing is another way I live purposefully and meaningfully. I share my journey because I’m so very grateful to be where I am today and because I know what it’s like to be lost in that darkness. It’s those experiences that have shown me exactly how important forgiveness is and that compassion and kindness are essential to living a truly meaningful, Christ-like life.
Practicing acceptance.
The world is full of conflict and uncertainty. There’s so much going on around us that we have no control over. It’s easy to become fearful and to give in to despair. Resisting what I cannot control brought me nothing but pain. There was never any peace in that bottle, just as there isn’t any in continuing to resist. Surrender is letting go in faith. It’s letting go of all my preconceived notions and expectations. Surrender is acceptance at its deepest level. I had to accept where I’d been, and what I’d done before I’d ever be free. Today, I’m much more aware of my thoughts and feelings and do my best to observe them without criticism or judgment. I accept more readily those things I cannot change and in the same moment ask God to guide me in changing the things I can.
Reading God’s word daily.
A few years ago, I started creating scripture wallpaper and sending them to my family each day. Each one contains a verse of scripture that I’ve come across, studied, and reflected on. It’s amazing how the words are revealed in the exact moments I need them. I need God’s words because in them He reveals His plans, purpose, and promise. Above all, He reveals His love.
Praying without ceasing.
I grew up Catholic and to this day still pray the rosary and recite the many prayers I grew up with. There’s comfort in that tradition and the meaning behind the words. As I’ve grown in my recovery, I’ve come to understand that prayer is also simply spending time with God. Sharing my thoughts, but also listening for His voice. For me, God’s voice is a feeling deep within, a warmth that moves through me calming my fears and settling my soul. I feel Him with me and I’m overwhelmed with peace. I can’t describe it any better. It’s a knowing that goes beyond everything else and something I only experience through prayer. Through turning to God in gratitude, in praise, in supplication, and in need.
To stay the course, I had to make many changes in my life and in the goals I set for myself. I’m not a perfect being, and I sometimes lapse, but at the core, I try to focus on my spiritual goals throughout my day. They’ve allowed me to keep my eyes on the ultimate prize and experience peace no matter what’s going on around me.
JN Fenwick (©2024) | mothjournal14
Discover more from mothjournal14
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
