Journey to Fulfillment
Bible Verse of the Blog: Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Song: Satisfied by The Walls Group
Thank you God. I thought I’d put it out there, because I am greatful. This season in life is teaching me that fulfilment comes in many ways. Way back when I first started this blog it was about sharing my story. I wanted to find a release and destigmatize what it means to live with herpes and have a healthy life. It is still important to me to spread the word that life is what you make it no matter the cards you’ve been dealt. For me, its been a long journey and one that is far from over. Every month my goal is to reflect on how I use my life and experiences to help someone else. If you know me personally, you know I am generally an open book. But as "brave" or frank as I tend to be, it is still UNCOMFORTABLE and weird AF to tell yall about living with an STD ( even if it is super common). What keeps me going are the kind words readers share with me about how they applied my words to their life or how they check their implicit biases.
When I started writing this blog years ago, I was insecure and desperately in need of the feeling that my life mattered. I told God that moving forward I would committ my ways to him, believing that it would fulfill me in ways no other connection could. Everyday I renew that commitment and though I’m not perfect, I can tell you it was worth it. For my non-Christian or religious family, I know, stick with me!
So today I ask, how do you seek fulfillment?
In this modern day and age so much of what we do is based on followers, likes, shares, and retweets. We assign value not on content or the effort, but on how much we relate to or like something. There is nothing wrong with opinion, but what if the group consensus (group think if we are being honest) doesn’t assign enough value to what you do or think?
We see this now when facts are questioned by opposing sides. Instead of valuing the power of truth, we end up only listening to the ideas that only support our ideals. This leaves so many people feeling undervalued. For a lot of us(myself included, like and subscribe y’all lol) we struggle to feel fulfilled when what we do seems to be overlooked or isn’t popular.
As I said, I’m feeling HELLA fulfilled right now and I think I may have stumbled on a secret. Fulfillment comes from within and from above.
Mic drop. You're welcome. It's easy.
I know its much easier said than done, but it really is possible. When I read the Verse of the Blog, I am reminded about my many prayers and commitment I made to God. The more I prayed and removed my value from the flawed opinions of people and the fickle nature of the physical life the more fulfilled I became. Regardless of your religion or faith practices, I think the key is realizing that the material things in front of you are just that, material and temporary. Your value lies not in what you create or do for others but in the posture of your heart. For me, my faith is barometer I use to check where my intentions are.
Are you doing things to be noticed or is it because this is true to who you are?
When you are at work, do you work for your employer or for your personal goals?
Are you dating to fill a hole or because your love is coming from the overflow of your self love?
Is the friendship what you need or just to fit in?
For me, the last two years have been full of volunteering, mentoring, doing way too much at work, blogging, excercising, dating, starting a business, spending time with family and friends. But if I am honest, none of that actually fulfills me, because those are things I have always done. The only thing that has changed, is the way I committed to it and approached them. Everything has made my heart so full because I have prioritized doing things from my heart, that includes saying no (that’s for another conversation). For me, from my heart also means pleasing God. I think that by choosing to believe in Him and trusting that even my challenges are for my good have made all the difference.
The moment I decided to commit to a certain way of approaching life, the more fruitful my life became. I’m not one for prosperity preaching, so to be clear, you don’t do this for the reward. The ability to commit to what you believe in is the reward itself. Something about consistency breeds a different outlook on life. All I know is my satisfaction lies in my intent and the fact that I can say I tried.
Imagine what would happen if you committed your desires and needs to something greater than yourself.
Imagine if you led with love and gave without expecting.
Imagine if you stay true to your calling and vision.
Imagine being completely fulfilled.
As always, I love you ridiculously.
Be great,
J.
