Each year I choose a “word for the year” and each year I can’t imagine the adventures my word will take me on. This year was no different. If I had known everything that lay before me when I chose the word “whole-hearted”, I might have chosen a different word.
My definition of “whole-hearted” was to do everything with ALL my heart – as opposed to being half-hearted.
FULL STEAM AHEAD!
I threw myself into every aspect of my life with FULL intensity. I took an emotional intelligence class and learned about the traits that I have that might sabotage my efforts, and developed the skills to overcome my saboteurs. I learned more about myself through the Enneagram which is a way of learning about ourselves through our strengths and weaknesses. I taught classes, I wrote morning pages, I applied for and was offered a coaching job. I learned more new things so I would be a great “cash-flow” coach. I learned new social media skills and wrote, video’d and published many posts. I visited and spent time with all my family, both immediate and extended. I participated in a family reunion. I did physical therapy twice a week. I planned and planted a beautiful garden with hundreds of sunflowers. I did absolutely EVERYTHING with my whole heart.
THEN THE CRASH
Then, all of a sudden, I hit a brick wall. Through a series of misunderstandings and disappointments, I found myself at odds with several members of my family. I was hurt and angry with myself and others. I was worn out and exhausted.
A REVISED DEFINITION
That’s when I learned that being whole-hearted is not to throw yourself into every project with all your energy, but it is to come to know and accept everything in your heart. All parts – the hard heart and the soft heart, the tender heart and the stony heart. Being open-hearted and being closed-hearted. All of those things and more are part of being a whole-hearted woman. I experienced love, energy, and passion and then disappointment and regret.
A COACHING PROGRAM IS BORN!
It was from these experiences that my coaching program – “Becoming a Whole-Hearted Woman”, was born. This is a program specifically for mothers whose grown and gone children are doubting or have left the church. You are questioning everything you did while you were raising your kids. You wonder if you failed at being a mother. You wonder what you can do for these adult children now.
“Becoming a Whole-Hearted Woman” is based on the great commandments:
- Love God
- Love Others
- Love Yourself
THIS IS POSSIBLE
Do you wonder what you can do as a mother for your beloved children? I have found that a whole-hearted woman has confidence in herself and trusts in God. She has learned to open her heart through prayer, journaling and meditation and is willing to learn how to strengthen her relationships within her family.
Over the next few weeks, I am going to share the things I have learned in my Whole-Hearted Woman journey. Perhaps some of those things will help your heart heal too.
