Tuesday 11 May 2010

Exploring who you are & the work you've been given

These are busy times ladies and gentlemen. But not too busy to spend a weekend with friends on Waiheke island, watching the vineyards turn red and tasting their spoils. Can you believe it? Red vineyards! Autumn just doesn't quit.

So here's what's going on in Alisha-land, in case you're interested:
  • I'm mentally preparing to shift back to the States (3 weeks!), excited to connect with old friends and family in Seattle, but nervous about the unknown.
  • I'm looking for a job, my biggest unknown, and praying for something I love.
  • I'm working on a city guide to indie Auckland for one of my favorite websites with my crafty friend Mel. More on this to come!
  • I'm being sucked into the underworld of twitter and finally caving in. {If you're on twitter, let's tweet!}
  • I'm writing a book proposal for my spiritual travel memoir about the last 4 years in the UK, which takes about as long as writing the freaking book. The hardest part is trying to encapsulate what the book is about and communicating it in a pithy, captivating way. This is difficult because it means I actually have to figure out what I'm trying to say. And since I'm full of things to say, it means I'm distilling it all down to the essence. Time-consuming, but important.
As I've been thinking about what I'm trying to say with this book, I'm also thinking bigger picture: What am I trying to say, in general? What am I all about? I don't think this question is self-indulgent, I think it's crucial.

I found this passage from our old friend Paul in the book of Galatians especially helpful:

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."

I haven't finished thinking all this through, but it's a good process. I'm making the exploration of who I am and my work so that I can do my creative best. What a fun challenge!

So...me, me, me. What about you? If you had to say what you're all about in a few sentences, what would you say? Who are YOU and what's the work you've been given?

9 comments:

Alexis Grant said...

Yay -- book proposal AND Twitter! So excited for you.

And I feel you on the job hunt. In the same boat.

Rachael Randal said...

Wow - big questions. Important though, I agree... maybe we can reflect on this together tomorrow during our early morning flat white?

TheLadyWhoLunches said...

Lord. Girl, you have no idea how long I have spent on my query and I still am not happy with it!
However, I love that quote you found. And, I love that you're now on twitter.
On a more secretive note - shhh, don't tell...it looks like we are heading back to the USA a bit earlier than expected as well...say, eight weeks?
I am praying for a good job as well.

Dee said...

I agree! Not self indulgent. Especially considering how much you can inspire others by discovering you. Love your thoughts...

alisha said...

Glad to hear I'm not alone in the job hunting. Good luck to us all!

Rachael, let's indeed tease this out with flat whites in hand.

Meagan, what a juicy secret!! I can't wait to hear more. I'll warm the US up for you and we can be repats together. :)

Dee, welcome to my blog! I'm looking forward to checking out yours now...

Nadine said...

Beautiful photo!!

This post reminded me of this quote which I love:

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."
~Erma Bombeck

Good luck with the move, the job search and the proposal! Fingers are crossed!!

alisha said...

I love that quote Nadine. It's a good reminder to not hoard talent but to let it loose. :)

Anonymous said...

Love the quote, Nadine!
Good luck on the book proposal. I'm tinkering with a few possible chapters ... very early ... it's fun.

Sarah said...

LOVE this quote Alisha! I don't know how I missed it before...and as always LOVING all your posts! Seems like you just glided right back into life in the US! The past few years (since I left Japan) have consisted of me finding my feet in the US. It started with visa application headaches in Oklahoma and zero job possibilities there, and continued with a decision to move to LA, a lot of dodgy temp jobs and now finally a Japanese job that I can really get my teeth into...but unfortunately does not pay enough! :( The journey is ongoing but I'm happy with that because life is just one big adventure!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERbvKrH-GC4

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