Goals and Purpose

Goals can be interesting. This past week there were times when I needed to run some “quick” errands. Some were quicker than others based simply on what I drove. Running errands in my car as you might have guessed went quicker than those on my bike. The goal when running an errand in the car was simply to go from point A to B and back with errand completed. Although the goal on the bike is to also go from point A to B and back, the ride is much longer. Here’s a visual for you. 😉

The goal was the same but the purpose was different. The purpose of taking the bike was to also have some much needed “down time ” as well. Errands can be fun after all. When I left on my last errand it was to get a part for my car and my hubby told me to take my time so being the obedient wife I am I of course assumed that meant to ride on! 🤣

I’m sure for any of you that have read many of my ramblings, you know the bike is my “stress free zone.” It’s my “me” time, my time to clear my mind and most importantly my alone time with God. I’ve learned many things about Him, about myself, and about life in general since I’ve been riding my own bike, something I never dreamed I would do. I’ve learned how very important it is to take time for yourself, not in a selfish way, but in a healthy way.

It’s also important to have at least one person in your life who will help keep you grounded/balanced. I’ve heard many times that women look for a husband who is like their dad. I got thinking about this while riding and while my dad and my hubby share(d) some very different hobbies and mannerisms, there is definitely one thing they both share(d). When I was a teenager I can remember some talks I had with my dad where he let me know in no uncertain terms that I was to respect myself and not just settle. Mom always told me the same thing but for some reason dad’s words hit home with a different effect. Maybe it’s the father/daughter thing, maybe it was his tone, or maybe because I was daddy’s little girl. I went through many years while my kids were younger where I saw myself as a mom and that was where my focus was and the respecting myself part, as a woman, kind of went by the wayside. I’m not going to share much about that, except to say that when I met my hubby that changed. I was still a mom first, but he made me realize I also needed to be me and that meant relearning to respect myself the way my dad had instilled in me. I still have times now where I have a “brain fart”, or as my youngest son lovingly calls it, brain diarrhea lol. When I have those moments my hubby will still remind me, and although my immediate response may be one of aggravation, I’m truly thankful he cares enough to remind me anyway.

I teach a class at work to our newly hired staff. I’ve recently started to make sure I stress the importance of taking care of ourselves. We talk about burnout and about many stressful situations that can arise. We are blessed to work with an amazing group of individuals who have autism. The work is not physically demanding most days but it can be mentally demanding, although the rewards far outway the demands. In any job and in day to day life where people care for others, it’s extremely important to take care of yourself. If we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we effectively care for others, including our families?

In our trainings, we also talk about dreams and helping others to try to achieve them by meeting them where they’re at and assisting with the growth towards those dreams in any way we can. Recently while riding I got thinking about my own dreams, actually I guess it’s more my bucket list than dreams as it’s a couple of things I’d like to accomplish before I die. I realize these may never happen, but they are still something I’d love to be able to do someday if any way possible, even if only in part.

One of those things is to ride my bike across the country with my hubby and camp all along the way. I’d love to see Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon as well as the big redwood trees on the West Coast. Don’t panic mom, it won’t be any time soon! Another thing I’d love to be able to do one day is own a small farmhouse and have enough land to offer a place for those with disabilities and/or illnesses to be able to swim in a pool, ride go carts, dirt bikes, 4 wheelers etc., and have a mini petting farm where they can be a part of something they might not ever otherwise experience, if only for a day. Like I said, these things may never happen, but it doesn’t hurt to dream or have a bucket list, it’s actually healthy I believe.

To me if you don’t have any dreams, a bucket list, or long term goals, then you’re just living to get thru each day and that saddens me. I realize it can be a struggle just to get through each day sometimes, but I don’t believe God ever intended for us to simply exist. We do that to ourselves I think by putting unrealistic expectations on ourselves, by not forgiving ourselves and others for mistakes, by listening to the world, and by not giving Him things to handle for us like He promises He will, and then listening to see what He’s trying to tell us.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my time upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

I challenge each and every one of you reading this to seriously think of 1 new dream or new item for your bucket list and don’t let anyone tell you it cannot be done! Dream big and go to Him to help you through, we never know what we can accomplish if we don’t at least try.