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?