What's My Purpose and Passion? by Carol Harrison

 The question about what my purpose and passion happens to be, can be a loaded question that makes me want to shut down and not bother answering - or at least it has on many occasions. Have I known it for a long time or recently discovered it? Has it changed over time or just grown in depth? 

Recently, I heard someone say that to discover, rediscover, or develop your present day passion and purpose, you need to revisit your younger self and see what captured your interest, made you want to spend endless hours in its pursuit, and enjoy the journey. As a teen, reading, studying, research, and writing school reports, essays, and stories captured my attention to the exclusion of many other pursuits. Some might say I exhibited many nerd-like qualities. Yet my main purpose continued to be finishing school and becoming a teacher. How would this passion for academic type pursuits serve me in the "real-world" of everyday life? 

I observed female role models in my life. All of them demonstrated their love for God and family through serving others. They managed households, could grow much in a small garden plot, sewed with ease, quilted, cooked delicious meals, and baked from scratch. Domestic activities in which they excelled and found their passion - or so it seemed to me- helped them serve others with compassion. How did study, reading, and writing fit into a purpose that would help others? I didn't know and felt it must mean I needed to discover another purpose for my life and pray my passions and interests changed. 

If someone asked me this question of purpose and passion in my twenties, thirties, and even into my forties, I would shake my head because I still struggled to figure out that answer. Or I might have thrown out the answer about raising my children, teaching Sunday School, or helping in our business. Yet throughout these decades of uncertainty and busyness, deep down the passion for more creative endeavors round its way into my life through crafts or jotting down ideas but never really pursuing anything. 

As a young girl, I understood that each one is uniquely created by God and we all, as believers, have to share the good news of the gospel. Later, I learned how God gives gifts and abilities for us to use to build others up and bring glory to God. Somewhere along the way I lost sight of this truth as it related to me. 

It took years of floundering, trying various activities, being busy with everyday aspects of life before I discovered the gifts God intended me to use didn't have to look like anyone else's gifts. I didn't have to be my mother or grandmothers, or aunts with their domestic abilities. I needed to be willing for God to use what he had given me, then pursue them, practice them, and persevere in the journey even when I didn't always understand the direction or the reasons. It is more than okay to be who God made me to be. So what is my passion and purpose? 

I am a storyteller. It means being willing to tell the story of what God has and is doing in whatever format that takes - written or oral. It also means participating in the journey with God and taking the next step when I can't see the one beyond that. 

God brought several scripture passages to mind, multiple times until they embedded deep into my heart and mind. 

Psalm 78:1-4, "O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old- what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done."

Psalm 105:1-5, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgements he pronounced."

God used those years of fear, of uncertainty, the busyness of raising a family, and working in our own businesses at times, to teach me many things. He showed me through a variety of experiences that he is still the same God as the God of the Bible. He led people into my life who spoke into my heart with compassion, with affirmations, and sometimes with a kick in the seat of the pants as I needed to be nudged from a comfort zone I was never intended to remain in.

Those passions for creativity, study, and research, as well as the desire to teach or help others never changed. It simply developed as I came to terms with the directions God might lead me and how they might not look the same as I imagined or what others may have expected. That is okay. 

Some days are difficult to keep going. The path ahead remains in the shadows and I long to give up, hide out, and forget about sharing stories and God's love with others. Yet persistence or perseverance means I need to keep going one step at a time, allowing God to guide and direct. I don't have to understand all the complexities but rather be available and obedient. 

As I worked through all those thoughts on purpose and passion and how it showed up in my life, I wrote this mission statement a few years ago that sums it up. "As a speaker, published author and storyteller, Carol Harrison is passionate about mentoring people of all ages and abilities to help them find their voice and reach their fullest potential, helping them find a glimmer of hope in every circumstance of life."

In doing this, I can say with the psalmist in Psalm 71:1-4, "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O Go, till I declare you power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come."  

Carol Harrison keeps plodding on the journey one step at a time as she tells stories for her family and others. She hangs out for hours at a time in front of her computer from her home in Saskatoon, longing that others will be encouraged, entertained, or educated. Most of all that God will have all the glory.

Writing Incentives - Carol Harrison

I looked at the topic for January and thought about what my incentives are to keep my writing on track for this new year. I thought of my goals, my reflections and the challenges I might face and knew I wanted to put things in place to allow growth to happen. I know I need accountability partners, deadlines and most importantly I need Scripture to offset the negative thoughts that threaten to sidetrack the writing. 

I do not usually choose a word to be my focus for the new year. Yet as I reflected on the sermon from the last Sunday at church in 2018 during a morning devotional time, one word continued to come to my mind - faithful. It reappeared at various times during the next few days and I know it is something I long for - to be found faithful. I need to be faithful in my Christian life, taking time getting to know God better and listening for His voice which will help me overcome the negative, internal chattering that too often grows so loud it drowns out what I need to focus on. I need to be faithful in using the gifts and abilities that God has given me and that includes working on the stories which need to be put to paper and shared. 

Reflecting on what had happened in the past year, as is my custom at the end of each year, I looked at memories, completed projects and things still waiting to be worked on or completed. Then I changed from looking back to looking ahead to a new year, new calendars, new possibilities and new memory making moments. A blank slate waited for me.

I thought about my motivation to keep writing, to  keep telling the stories and speaking. Why should I keep on going when fear holds me back from completing some of the projects or the internal, negative monkey voice changes from background chatter to shouting negatives? The word faithful comes to mind. I long to be obedient to God's plan and go where he sends me, trusting that he will supply all I need like He promises in Scripture. 

Psalms 78: 1-6 (NIV) have been verses that have been part of my incentive to continue to tell and write stories.
 
"O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old - what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us, We will not hide them from their children, we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. 

He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them even the children yet to be born and they in turn would tell their children."

My intentions for 2019 include completing several bigger writing projects, continue to write short pieces and submit some of them to various publications, blog posts or simply send to family. I want to capture the stores flitting about in my mind, set them to print and share them with others. 

To accomplish this list of writing goals I need to quit procrastinating the editing, the writing and the process of sharing them with others. I find to do lists helpful and deadlines as well. Therefore I plan to have some self-imposed deadlines added to the to do list in order to focus my work habits in a better fashion – make the goals smarter in the time management area. 

I had a brainstorming session with another author, Kim Steadman, who also likes lists and deadlines. She gave me some helpful tips to prioritize my works in progress in light of any and all obligations I have such as writing a weekly blog article, my Puzzle Pieces of Life programs for Hope Stream Radio and this monthly blog post for Inscribe. Writing down the obligations, the works in progress and ideas still waiting to be written gives me a great way to visualize what I need to have done by a specific time and what I can realistically add in to my schedule.

Yes I need to not only schedule writing and editing time but then take those appointments seriously and actually write and edit works in progress. Deadlines do help me focus and therefore I can add in some self imposed ones to help keep me on track or give me a kick in the seat of the pants to keep working on telling the stories, preserving the family memories and helping others along the way.

The incentive to move forward with my writing intentions for this coming year is to be faithful in telling the stories to the next generations. Life can change in a moment and giving myself permission to be flexible is important as well. Listening to the advice of other writers, reading about their journey, incentives and helpful hints adds to the positive moments in my writing life. I am not alone on this journey. Connecting with other writers also helps build in some accountability as does having a prayer team covering the writing and asking the question, "How is your writing coming?"

When the negative voices grow loud and fear threatens to stop all headway on works in progress I need to trust God. The verse that I have for this year is Isaiah 41:10  (NIV)

"So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

 I believe it is important to be faithful and use my gifts and abilities to enrich the lives of others, encourage those who find themselves in one of life’s tough spots as well as help people find their voice and work towards their fullest potential through mentoring. 

As a speaker, published author and storyteller, Carol Harrison is passionate about mentoring people of all ages and abilities to help them find their voice and reach their fullest potential. She shares from her heart, telling stories from real life experiences and God’s Word to encourage people and help them find a glimmer of hope no matter what the circumstances. She believes we need to continuously grow in our walk with God and lives out her storytelling passion by speaking at women’s events and retreats, Bible Camps as well as school assemblies and church events. Carol is a wife, mother of four adult children and grandmother to twelve. She makes her home is Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

My Reasons To Write - Carol Harrison

For years I never considered myself to be a writer. I had no plans to write, other than to journal my thoughts and feelings or keep track of important information on a calendar, but with a few extra details added. In fact, even though I had loved English and writing back in high school, I buried that desire to communicate in written form. I refused to acknowledge it when that form of creativity attempted to peek out of its hiding place.

Negative words, or perceived negativity towards pieces I had written in school and first year university bombarded my thinking and instead of talking it over with anyone else or even with God, I hid away any thoughts of writing for anyone else to read. For years I refused to acknowledge the one time enjoyment of writing, until I had convinced myself it was a distant, girlish dream unworthy to mention.

At the Saskatchewan WorDshop in February, Sheila Webster said, "Negative words we have heard in the past stop us from writing and speaking the words God wants us to use now."

Her words resonated with me, even though I have, for the last ten years, begun to write and speak in response to nudges God gave, with His help and wonderful people who encouraged me. Yet I still vividly remember the hurts, the fears and the wondering if I had words that should be heard or read. Other presenters and attendees reinforced this thought. I also heard it from Shelley Hitz at our Inscribe 2017 fall conference. She referred to these negative words as "creative injuries" that inhibit us from sharing the stories God plans for us to share.

Why should I write? What is my reason for telling stories? There are several reasons I write. I write to share the message God has given me.  I believe that our story matters, for through sharing these stories we can share what God has and is doing in our lives.

Psalm 78:1-4 says,
"O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables,

I will utter hidden things, things from of old- what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us, We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power and the wonder he has done."

Tell me the story of Jesus is one of the old hymns that helps me remember the importance of sharing the personal stories of God's working in my life and the Bible stories of Jesus, our hope, our Saviour, our everything. God can take the words he gives me to share and use them to help those who read them to be helped, encouraged, comforted, challenged or inspired.

 I also write to share and thus preserve family stories and memories. These stories will be available for my children and grandchildren to read, to enjoy and maybe to learn about previous generations and the role faith plays in my life. It is my legacy to give them the stories.  If anything is published it is a bonus because then people beyond my family can enjoy my storytelling too, the gift God has given.


 I write because it is the gift God has given me and I long to use it to help make the place I am better. The ideas tumble around in my mind, begging to be released. I write the ideas as they come - enough at times to fill a jar with slips of paper, if I chose that method to corral them, until I have time to fill them out for family, for submission and at times for the one other person God asks me to give the written story to. 

My reasons to write and speak form part of the mission statement I include in my bio to help me remember why storytelling is important in my life as well as help others know where I am coming from. I desire that God will receive the glory and that the words will touch others in His perfect timing.

I believe that as we share our reasons to write, as we attend events like Inscribe fall conference and the Spring WorDshops, we will make connections, be encouraged, glean nuggets of inspiration and share in times of prayer for and with each other. God will take those positive moments, those interactions, divine appointments and prayers and will heal the negative words of the past so the stories he wants us to tell will no longer hide but spring from their hiding places deep within us. What's your story?


  
As a speaker, published author and storyteller, Carol Harrison is passionate about mentoring people of all ages and abilities to help them find their voice and reach their fullest potential. She shares from her heart, telling stories from real life experiences and God’s Word to encourage people and help them find a glimmer of hope no matter what the circumstances. She believes we need to continuously grow in our walk with God and lives out her storytelling passion by speaking at women’s events and retreats, Bible Camps as well as school assemblies and church events. Carol is a wife, mother of four adult children and grandmother to twelve. She makes her home is Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.