When you’re carrying a big decision or a potential change, the last thing you need is to try to come up with a five year plan for your life. Maybe all you need is enough information to take one next right step forward.
Last year I decided to enroll in grad school. But first I lost sleep, asked everyone’s opinion, and made myself crazy. Here’s what happened next.
Links + Resources From This Episode:
- Things Above Podcast
- The Apprentice Series by James Bryan Smith
- Visit hope*writers to learn more about our membership
- Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
I really loved this episode! Some of my very favorites have been when you talk about specific decisions you’ve made in your life — the process, the struggles, the outcome. So often I hear the phrase, “Know your why.” Yes, that’s important sometimes. But it’s also okay to move forward with something even when we don’t totally know why. I found this episode to be very freeing. Thank you!!
Also, I was just thinking how interesting it would be to hear you do an episode on leaving well. Sometimes when we take a step forward into the next right thing, it requires ending something first. Over the years, I’ve ended some things well, and some things not well. It makes such a difference! I can’t always control the way something ends, but for those things in which I can, it’s so important.
My daughter and I recently left a horse farm that we’d been a part of for 3 years (the owner is moving out of state). The farm had truly become a second family to us, and given my daughter so many wonderful experiences. We talked about how to leave well. So on our last day there, we lingered, took pictures, hugged all our horse friends, felt sad, felt happy, felt sad again, felt happy again, and said our goodbyes. On the way home, we reminisced about all our great experiences there and how we were feeling. It made our transition to a new barn so much better by having ended well at the previous barn.
I appreciate your thoughts in this episode, Emily, about the “why” of a decision we might be in the process of making. It so resonates with me. Sometimes I know and sometimes I don’t, and I’m learning to be okay with that. As always, your gentle way of leading us through with your words of wisdom is so appreciated. I’m glad your search for the “why” kind of led you to creating this podcast. Thank you!
I listened to this one on my way home from the class I’m taking. I finished my master’s 13 years ago and now I find myself with kids that are old enough that I have the flexibility to pursue this certification. It’s been good, but it was so intimidating to make that “selfish” choice that affected other people. It should pay off for our family but it makes for one crazy school year.
Your information is so thought provoking. Makes me want to get still, and listen to God, thank you
Great episode. I think sometimes we don’t need a true answer of why. My husband says, “Investing in yourself is always a good choice.” So when I feel no real why, or see no real measurable outcome (Will taking yoga class help the family? Will getting my graduate degree in English really pay off? Should I really go to this conference?), sometimes I just realize that I am investing in myself. Who knows where it will lead, but investing in our self, and learning new things benefits us and ultimately others.
Thank you for this episode! I felt like the God was calling me to finish my bachelors degree a few years ago and I graduated last December. I can still honestly say I don’t know exactly why He called me to finish and it has always been frustrating when people ask me what I’ll do with my degree. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one that stepped out on faith that I was following what God had called me to do even if I didn’t have an end game in sight. For now I’m a substitute teacher in my kids’ school district and I really love my job. I love your podcast and appreciate the time and care you take to craft it every week!