Purpose Driven Life

I have just finished my 40 day challenge - working through Rick Warren's book of the same name with amazing results.

First I must say that with 18 days to go I was quite exhausted, then it got worse in a dramatic fashion. But I have come out after day 40 and the hearache accompanying it with new vision which isnt so one eyed and knowledge of my mission, purpose and voice. I'm not even sure how I arrived at this to tell you the truth, except through perseverence I guess.

So here it is. My mission is family and my motto is that family comes first. I believe strong families build strong communities and so on. It begins in the home. Having said that I have also decided that marriage is sacred and beautiful. I'm sorry that I didn't know that before. Further things are that families are a gift, families are eternal and families are worth fighting for.

Second my purpose is to be happy. How much more simple could it be? Mind you it really has been something which has alluded me most of my adult life.  Some insights I have in how to achieve this are that I am to do a mediocre job (by my standards) at my work and my best effort at what I do for enjoyment. Hopefully this wont scare prospective employers off, but for me it is the key to stay employed and contribute. Historically I have put way to much of myself into my career and failed dismally because of it.

So for my work I would like to work in the field I know well - mental health. Im not even sure if I can because for 2 years I have failed to be able to do any work whatsoever. I actually think if i put in place my hobbies, interests and family FIRST I will be able to work again. Employers have to know that my family comes first though.

As for hobbies, well in order to keep my active mind under control, I have the urge to write a text which I will see if I can use as my thesis. A chapter a week should do the trick. I have already written the model and outline which includes so many different arts and humanities disciplines. It will be fun.

Another hobby is my art which is no doubt a natural ability of mine. Any medium, but I really enjoy oils. I have two themes to work on this year - the first being illustrating a children's book which consists of 10 pastel pieces. I did the first one today and now have to wait for the funds to purchase a second canvas. I plan for my daughter to write the text which I am certain she will enjoy because English is her strength and she has a fine appreciation of the arts - a sophistication which doesnt come from me.

The second theme is called the Dragonfly Years and is a narrative of the last 10 years of my life. This I plan to paint using oils and I have already mapped out the pieces which total 17 - the last one is a large map of all the components, a summary as such.

Finally (where am I going to find the time!), music is extremely important to me so I would like to recommence weekly guitar lessons. Really 10 minutes a day would work and it will be like a meditation for me. So that is happy covered.

Lastly, I believe my voice is humanity which has my full support. I am interested in entering the political arena with the Family Comes First message - a minority party here in Australia. Aside from politics I believe I will have a voice through my work, which will support the humanitarian voice. People are good, people are beautiful, but sometimes we are puppets to our experiences. Really, that doesn't matter and all we have to do is love them.

Im hoping to have my children live with me again, now that I feel it is safe (long story). And as far as my kids are concerned its fun fun fun! We are going to have great times together and form wonderful happy memories. The three of us together make an unbeatable team and keep eachother strong. I also believe girls need their mummys to shine, however that sentence is interpreted! So I hope my own mummy comes back to Perth. If not by hook or by crook I will get to wherever she is to visit her!

So in a nutshell:
- thesis
- artwork for children's book
- artwork for the dragonfly years
- guitar
- politics
- fun with kids
- work in mental health having a voice for humanity

xxx