Live on Purpose

Discontent:  restless aspiration for improvement

Are you where you want to be?  At this moment, in this chapter of your life, do you feel each day leads your purpose? 

With social media on the rise, removing the in-person conversations in life and consuming free time of most; discontent becomes life’s motto.  Pictures of “perfect families” cause us to seek improvement for our own family.  Filters cause us to tear ourselves down based on an image of another.  Career moves celebrated all over the internet leads us to question our own. 

We live in a time saturated with restless aspiration for improvement.  Waking up on the daily cramming our minds with comparison thoughts.  Spending hours nitpicking our flaws, sends us in a tailspin of displeasure.  We spend more time in attempt to bridge the gap of differences among each other than building on our unique skills, purpose and plan set before us by our Creator. 

Society places emphasis on titles, monetary intake and image to deem a person worthy or purposeful in life.  This is a lie!  We each hold a specific purpose in life setup before we even entered the world.  God began forming our purpose in the womb, touching every fiber of our bodies and placing every characteristic perfectly to fulfill your purpose.

¹³For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.  Psalm 139:13-14

This moment you live is full of purpose.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made!  Here in this era for a purpose.  God continually matures our character to progress through the journey planned for our lives.  We must look to Him, not the world, for purpose.  Looking to the world only sends us on a wayward path away from purpose. 

No matter your position, title, circumstance or age. . .you have a purpose today.  Seek His Truth.  Shine His light on others.  Love like today were your last opportunity to love someone.  Be you, progressing down the path of spiritual maturity with each passing moment. 

Avoid worldly discontent.  Embrace spiritual discontent in a sense that you continue to aspire for improvement in representing Jesus daily.  Aspire to live His Truth out on the daily.  He will come in and show His power in each hour lived as you make the efforts to remain on the path laid by your Creator. 

Not every chapter is easy in life.  God will use it to strengthen, provide peace in the struggle and shine His light in the darkness.  Trust me dear friends, He is always present .  I can make testament to such Truth.  I recently went very dark for quite some time.  I couldn’t see Him, hear Him or believe He would find purpose in the situation I faced.  I lost words to pray.  The only thing that could come out of my mouth was, “Help me Jesus.”  Tears shed daily, I was exhausted and ready to quit.  He showed up.  He placed loved ones in my pathway to listen, pull me from the pit and get some help.

I am still uncertain of the purpose in the cards dealt at this moment of life; but, I continue to cling to the One who will lead me there.  Take each day one hour at a time, taking one step at a time forward.  God will come in and strengthen your walk and use the situation for His good.  Believe that dear friends and you live out your purpose.

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

Experience it for Yourself

Have you ever stood in awe underneath a miraculous starlit sky?  Have you had the privilege of seeing a colorful sunset; one that captures your heart?  Have you walked into a home filled with scents of baked goodness?  Has your body experienced the comfort of a soft bed after a long day in the world?

Thousands of experiences in this world excite our senses.  Each person processes outside stimulus differently.  I may love standing in a field of fresh cut grass admiring the rolling hills, taking in the smells of Spring and soaking in the sun.  Another may find this to be misery due to allergies, sensitivity to heat or just plain boredom. 

There are not enough words in the English language to explain the joy I feel with my first sip of coffee, watching a sunset, taking in the smell of Starbucks, seeing my children laugh, the beauty in nature, making a meal for the family or finishing a good workout.  These times excite my senses; but, trying to explain to another would not bring the same feelings to them.  We all have our own experiences that excite the senses. 

You just have to be there or see with your own eyes.  Some things cannot be explained enough for another to understand or feel the same. 

This world brings troubled times, stressed moments and immobilizing thoughts.  It takes strength to stand firm in the storms of this life.  Each person processes this world differently.  Just as we possess individualized senses, we possess unique characteristics that compute information received in various ways.  I cannot convince another person to share my opinion or observation of a situation.  I cannot manipulate another’s thought process to prevent emotions from flooding their mind. . . 

But I CAN walk alongside, offer a listening ear and speak Truth into another’s life.  There are not enough words in the English language to convince another person they are amazing, beautiful and wonderfully made for a purpose.  Just as I must experience times explained above for myself in order to excite my senses, a person must believe for themselves these Truths.  I CAN provide resources, offer up continuous prayer and engage in another’s life; but the individual must experience that moment at the Cross for themselves.  They must see clearly with their own eyes that God created them on purpose and with a plan in mind.

¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  1Thessalonians 5:10-11

My dear friends, this world works to tear us down.  Going to work, watching the news, seeing the violence, hearing the negativity, etc. eats away at our strength.  We must stand firm on His Truth and walk alongside one another.  It may take years for Truth to sink into another’s heart for them to believe it.  Don’t give up!  Pray daily for those around you.  Provide encouraging words.  Highlight the abilities in others, reflecting to them purpose in life.  We all have unique characteristics to complete God’s plan for this world. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to build someone up in this world that works diligently to tear them down.  Take the time to pour Truth into their minds.  In this world we will have trials.  In this world we will have busy schedules.  In this world we will have pain and sorrow.  But, take heart, our God has overcome all of this and is bigger than the difficulties in this world.  Keep your eyes on Him to not miss opportunity to shine His light. 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

My Greatest Weakness

My biggest strength is my greatest weakness

4-5 days a week, I spend my day completing an assessment on people. I note areas of impairment, abnormality or concern. I do this to assist in proper diagnosis and treatment for the person sitting across from me. The doctor takes my assessment and finds the best way to help the person reach optimal health. 

Being a nurse, I notice features of people.  I evaluate concerns, difficulties, the environment and each situation I encounter.  I run countless thoughts through my mind in hopes to reach a solution or favorable outcome.  My mind never stops.

My biggest strength is my greatest weakness

In my younger years, I played basketball.  I assessed constantly.  I evaluated the game, the defense tactics and the plays our team conducted.  My position was point guard; therefore, I called the shots (no pun intended) during the game.  I ran countless thoughts through my mind in hopes to choose the right play to win the game.

My biggest strength is my greatest weakness

As a parent and wife, I assess constantly.  I evaluate our schedules, circumstances and difficulties.  I plan meals daily according to the jammed packed day.  I run countless thoughts through my mind in hopes to choose correctly in discipline, love and care for my loved ones.  I work to engage enough in their lives to reveal the love I hold for each of them.

The above scenarios exhibit my biggest strength: I am observant toward others, the environment and situations requiring attention.  I assess life constantly.  In comes my greatest weakness.  I constantly evaluate myself, situations I face and the environment surrounding me.  The assessment creates a list of flaws and failures deeming myself unworthy.  In order to feel worthy, I run countless ideas through my mind in hopes to find one that will fix my problem or cover up my issue.

I never feel okay in my own skin.  Hence, my history with an eating disorder, OCD and anxiety.  Battling these have been quite difficult over the years.  I am happy to report the freedom from the first two which has come within the past 10 years.  The last, I still struggle.  The daily assessment feeds my anxiety.  I wake up each day fighting for worthiness in this world.  When I deem myself short of such in each situation, anxiety roars its ugly head. . .

The difference between me now and me 10 years ago?  I no longer run to ED for comfort or proof I am worthy.  I no longer allow compulsive behaviors to bring reassurance to my moment.  I have found Hope in my days.  I have found Truth to bring my roller coaster emotions to reality.  I have found Wisdom provided directly from my Creator.  The One who deemed me worthy.  The One who found purpose for me to come into this world.  The One who took me in His hands, created every fiber of my body and said, “Yes, this is it, this is who I want to carry out my plan.”  He created me.  He knows every one of my moments.  He provides a solution every time.

My Creator takes my assessment and perfects it.  He speaks into the marred image that my earthly vision observes.  He uses every failure for good as I hand it over to Him.  He reminds me of the beauty within.  He is helping me with my anxiety as I hand over my greatest weakness.  He takes that and turns it into my biggest strength.  He uses me to help others, pray for others and see a moment that another needs a smile or someone to listen.  He eases my anxiety by using me daily.

The same goes for you.  I am not special or set apart in any way.  You were created by God for a purpose.  He looked at you and said, “Yes, this is it, this is who I want to carry out my plan.”  Come to Him.  He will turn your greatest weakness into your biggest strength.  Seek His Truth for your day.  Bring your roller coaster emotions to the Cross.  Daily, live to serve Him and you will see amazing things happen.  

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

My Inspiration

She loves the morning hours, fresh coffee, a Honey Bun and talking with our Lord.  She loves people, sitting calmly, enjoying all the little ones new to the family and lifting up loved ones to our Lord.  She dresses with style, makes a friend with anyone she meets and follows the plan our Lord places in her life. 

She is inspirational, joyful, loving and the most beautiful woman I know (sorry mom).  Each day she lives, she improves the life of another.  I aspire to be like her.  Being in her presence makes life feel simple, manageable and joyful.

My MeMaw outshines any other this side of Heaven.  Just thinking about her brings a smile to my face.  The memories fill with warmth, love and joy.  She would wake early in the morning to prepare breakfast; not just a small meal, but bacon, eggs, biscuits, etc.  Lunch at her house would be delicious.  Her homemade yeast rolls were priceless.  They melted in your mouth.  She worked hard, loved even harder and managed a home full of children in her years.  She never drove.  She lived simply. 

My MeMaw appreciates others.  She makes you feel like you are the coolest thing since sliced bread!  Come as you are, and she will love you with all her heart. 

My heart breaks to see her struggle.  I want to drive 90MPH to be at her side and hold her hand in hopes to bring comfort to this physical struggle going on in her.  She is strong.  She is also tired.  She has lived    840,960 hours blessing this world.  She has lived 35,040 days loving countless individuals.  She has lived 4,992 weeks taking this life as it comes. 

Life seems complicated as we trudge through each day.  The alarm rings, we roll over in dread of another work day.  Small issues arise, one after another, stripping the potential joy in life.  Our focus remains on the struggle, hardship and petty drama arising.  The enemy breaks in our thoughts and enlarges negativity.  Truth quiets while the enemy shouts louder.  Take a step back!  Look at what really matters.  Stand firm on Truth demanding the enemy to leave.

In the grand scheme of it all, people matter in this world.  Not if we get a raise.  Not if our team wins the national championship.  Not the number of compliments received each day.  Not ‘what’ we get done.  What matters in life my dear friends is ‘who’ we live alongside.  People matter.  Shining love in other’s day matters.  Enjoying other’s presence matters.  Life is hard, hardships happen, and the struggle remains.  We need each other.

My MeMaw exhibits the above.  She displays true love.  Her smile lights a room.  Yes, she experienced hardships (many).  Yes, she stressed out as a mother and wife.  Yes, she managed a busy schedule with working in the corporate world, handling a home and raising kids.  But she did all this with love. 

She is amazing.  End of story!


Live life. . .One Day at a time! 
Sheree Craig

You are Worth it

I love the theme of this year’s NEDA Eating Disorder awareness week. . .

COME AS YOU ARE

The theme feels inviting.  It is a theme I would love to present each day to those I meet.  I want invite others into my life in a ‘come as you are’ manner.  Zero judgement.  Zero expectations.  Zero negativity.

We all come with burdens, sadness, wounds from the past and overwhelmed in life.  Some possess greater coping skills than others.  Some protect self from effects of the world.  Some keep strong, steady movements down the path laid for their lives.

BUT, some have no clue how to cope, manage life, protect their thoughts or remain steady each day.  It is a learning process in life.  If no one exists to educate during the formidable years, an individual goes at life on their own.  They may have friends and even have excellent parents; but, when life hits them and they lack coping skills, a risk exists for destruction.

In comes depression, eating disorders, addiction, anxiety, suicide, etc.  The struggle is real.  People hurt every day.  Life only increases in difficulty.  Coping skills remain nonexistent. 

COME AS YOU ARE

Zero judgement

We can not judge another because we are one decision away from entering the path they travel.  Life could hit us in the same way.  We have no clue the pain felt or the life the other experiences.  Stop the judgements.  Accept others, love them to where they need to be for optimal health and simply give them a smile.  Everyone needs to receive at least one smile a day.  😊

Zero expectations

Failure is a given.  No one is perfect.  In recovery, failure appears often.  Stop expecting the other person to be ‘fixed’ overnight.  It took years, days, months and hours of struggle for the other person to have reached a point of such destruction and pain.  Offer grace with every encounter.  Open your eyes to their progress, desire and tiny glimmer of hope.  There is hope for everyone; love them so they can see that hope.

Zero negativity

Even when you want to pull your hair out as you watch the other person take a step toward destruction AGAIN; stay positive for them.  The last thing the other needs is ANOTHER negative thought or comment placed in their minds.  Speak life into them.  Speak joy into their situation.  And when words just won’t come, embrace them.  Your loving touch will be exactly what they needed. 

COME AS YOU ARE

Broken.  Bruised.  Battered.  Depressed.  Destroyed.  Discouraged.

COME AS YOU ARE

You are NEVER too far or too much for recovery.  You deserve recovery.  You deserve to live.  There is a mighty purpose in life for you.  Remaining in silence prevents the beautiful life planned for you to come to fruition.  Reach out.  Speak out.  Help is available and you are loved!  You are worth it!

COME AS YOU ARE

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

Awareness: Risk for Relapse

Thousands of illness and disease exist with new conditions arising yearly.  Each diagnosis presents with a unique set of signs and symptoms, shifts in blood work, or test results.  Various treatment plans take place.  One commonality does exist. . .

Recurrence or Relapse

Once a diagnosis claims a life, the risk for exacerbation to occur again increases.  High blood pressure?  Medicines can control; but, situations in life could overpower the medicine effect.  Cancer?  Chemo can kill all the cancer cells; but overtime good cells may end up losing the battle again.  Depression?  This condition could feel like a roller coaster even with medication; times are good, symptoms remain at bay; times get rough, symptoms take over a life. 

Eating disorders are not exempt from relapse or recurrence.  Life can hit hard and the individual walking down the road of recovery can crash.  Standing back up, shook by life’s struggles, the individual may veer back down a familiar, comfortable path.  The only coping mechanism known involves food.  The coping methods result in self-abuse; but at least the individual avoids the emotions from the struggle in life.  Numbing out is the goal.  Comfort, though unhealthy, is the desire. 

Remaining in recovery is hard enough.  Throw in a hardship in life and the individual is pushed beyond their limits.  Something has got to give!  Relief must be found in some way, shape or form!  Life cannot be manipulated or changed.  Hardships enter beyond any control of the individual.  Therefore, the eating disorder takes over again.  The individual can control food intake, exercise regimens, thoughts of self, purging, binging, etc.  Or so they think!

The eating disorder lures an individual in and gives a sense of control.  Emotions begin to numb.  At first, the individual feels in control while the world around spins out of control.  Over time, the individual actually possesses no control.  The eating disorder takes over Every. Single. Thought.  Relapse sneaks in, grabs the healthy individual and holds on tight.

Just because individuals walk the path of recovery for X amounts of years, does not mean they aren’t fighting each day to remain on that path.  It takes strength to remain steady in this rocky world.  It takes perseverance to choose healthy habits.  It takes courage to continue speaking out when life becomes overwhelming.

The longer one travels on the road of recovery, the stronger they become.  A keener vision develops with ability to recognize triggers.  It doesn’t make them exempt from relapse.  Keep supporting, praying and remain in friendship with those recovering.  Stay aware of relapse signs.  The quicker we can catch one from falling; the greater a chance exists for them to get back up and remain on the path to recovery.

      

Recovery from an eating disorder can take months, even years. Slips, backslides, and relapse tend to be the rule, rather than the exception. Re-learning normal eating habits and coping skills can take a long period of time and often requires lots of support from professionals, friends, and family. Moving forward is key, however slow it might be.

People struggling with an eating disorder have to address any immediate medical concerns caused by their disorder, work on reducing or eliminating eating disordered behaviors, address co-occurring issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma, and then develop a plan to prevent relapse. Some psychologists call recovery the process of creating a life worth living. Overcoming food and eating concerns during recovery is a central goal, but it’s far from the only task of recovery.

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

Awareness: It is a Must

It seems there is a national week or day for multiple concerns in this world.  The week exists in hopes to bring awareness, save a life, heal a soul and/or prevent pain.  I am in 100% support of awareness; but, I on the same note, I believe awareness is a daily act. 

Individuals struggling with illness, whether mental or physical, experience effects daily.  The pain is not limited to one week a year.  Hardships follow them through each moment lived.  Medications may deaden the effects, support groups provide strength, praying produces healing, friendships possess support; but the daily grind continues to push and pull at those struggling. 

We need all those things mentioned above.  We were created to experience this life together.  We also need awareness.  Healthy individuals, survivors and those a little further on the road of recovery can assist in awareness.  Daily! 

Eating Disorder awareness week begins today.  I am in strong support of bringing awareness to such a tormenting illness.  I sat in this prison of my for 10 years before surrendering to full recovery.  I now have been walking the road of recovery for 10 years.  I would not be here today without support, prayer, friendships and awareness.  Each play a pivotal role in recovery.

Support:

Recognition of an illness does not equal recovery/remission.  It takes a daily effort to reach optimal health.  It takes people gathering to encourage, strengthen and love you with each step.  Support keeps your feet aligned and your body upright. 

Prayer:

God sees our struggle.  He wants to remove the pain, suffering, lies and illness.  He cannot do so without an invite.  Prayer invites God into the recovery journey.  Speak out, find prayer warriors and talk to God daily.  Again, not an instant healing takes place with prayer; but true and lasting healing begins one day at a time. 

Friendships:

To know you are not alone in struggle wins half the battle.  Friends love and support.  They may not fully understand what you are going through; but they love you just as you are, supporting you to where you are headed. 

Awareness:

It is a must!  Without knowledge, the three resources above cannot exist.  I am all about taking a week and learning about Eating Disorders, help and recovery.  Let us take that learning and apply it each day for the following 51 weeks. 

Even in recovery, struggles remain, triggers exist, and pain follows.  After ten years of healing, I still need support, prayer (LOTS of it), friendships and awareness.  For me, awareness reminds me I am not alone, there is help and to recognize when my thoughts begin veering down the wrong path.  Awareness reminds me how important healthy decision are to remain in recovery. 

Be aware.  Eating disorders are rampant in the world.  Reach out!  Speak out!  Help bring healing!

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of every age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic group. National surveys estimate that 20 million women and 10 million men in America will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

While no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/   

 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig