Do you need a season of self investment. Do you need to take time to figure out the ROI of life? What one thing can you do now to make your life more profitable later? Let’s discuss!
It’s been a while since my last Corny Cotter post. The ones where I think deep and ponder life, right? Haha, those are always needed. But the truth is I have had my head down working away on projects and things that keep me WAY busy even when I don’t really need to be. Scratch that. I need to be productive, but not busy.
Read this “too many hats” devotional. You’ll get my point.
But it wasn’t until a situation occurred this last week that made me realize I needed to halt the hustle and take a season of self investment.
investment- profits that are not consumed today but are used in the future to create wealth.
So what happened?
Monday I arrived at the airport excited to hop on a plane to California. I was on my way to workshop that I had worked so hard to get into. I was ready to INVEST more in my business, photography, and it ALL! Plus my dear friend (Taylor) was my roomie and we were looking forward to catch up time. It was a WIN WIN situation!
Well, as you can imagine. That trip didn’t happen. We did, in fact, sit on the plane… on the tarmac…..for 3 hours…… with not much AC. All do to a random lightening strike. And then pulled back to the gate. I missed all my connecting flights, lost my bag (which I still don’t have), and got back home way past my bed time. I didn’t understand why this “freak of nature” incident happened. I was really sad and disappointed. As anyone would be, right? We all value time so much.
I woke up the next day not knowing what to do. Plus I felt like a truck had just hit me (so tired, might have been the wine though…whoops).
Should I just keep working? Get ahead on things during the summer slump? Should I practice what we would learn that the workshop anyway?
I was pretty much frozen in my thoughts and my actions. I started to pray and ask God to really show me how to use this time. To not be discouraged. To just open my eyes to see what I need to do in this situation. Boy let me tell you, He sure did show me!
At first, I had a good cry. And then realized that there is SO MUCH that needs to be done in my (our) life that has gone aside. It was time for a season of self investment. Not work or monetary investment. SELF investment!
As in …. “WHAT do you (we) need to FOCUS on NOW in order to GAIN much PROFIT in Later in LIFE?
Here’s the top 3 that came to mind. And trust me, there was more, but I want to focus on the top 3 first!
ONE –> HEALTH – I think we’ve all been there. We put off appointment after appointment and make the excuse we will deal with it later. I know I have! But now that we have great health care coverage, I need to really INVESTMENT my time and make those appointments. Blood work, check ups, follow ups, rest, and even taking care of mental and spiritual health. Whether that be through a counselor or through church. The whole health and wellness shebang needs to get back on course. Without our health being in balance, we can’t thrive. So even though our life is messy, can get help and focus on that ROI! (return of investment).
JOY – Oh boy oh JOY! This one has been hard for me. I think I’ve had my eyes fixated on certain outcomes with work, and moving, and yada yada yada, that all my JOY has gone out the window. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE what I do and find JOY in working. But I am talking about Joy outside of work. Joy within. We don’t have to act happy everyday to have joy. Joy comes from practicing gratitude. Joy comes from serving others. Joy comes from shifting your focus off the negative (and fear) and onto the positive. Joy comes from looking at your path of life and saying “I’m right where i need to be! No regrets” I need… I want my JOY back.
“Joy doesn’t come from having your circumstances in order and under control; it comes from what’s in your heart.” – Joyce Meyer
It’s time to invest in those areas. FOR SURE!
MARRIAGE and RELATIONSHIPS – I know what you’re thinking. Um, self investment and other people? How does that go together? Well, hear me out.
I must admit, I’ve been living in a season of No for quite sometime. No I can’t meet you for lunch. No I can’t meet you for coffee, I need to work. No I don’t have time, sorry. NO. And while I understand that NO is needed to keep you from being worn out and over committed. It also puts a strain your relationships. It sure has for mine. The people who love me the most. It means I’m saying No to quality time. It shows a lack of investment in ones social life, community, marriage, etc. Friends, I think this season of self investment requires a little unselfish attitude and a few more “yes’.”
Be present. Be ALL there. Be loving. Be VALUABLE.
Maybe a missed opportunity is not a bad thing. It gives you a chance to opt in on what’s more valuable … And right in front of you.
Tomorrow we start a new month. And we are half way through 2016. Maybe that’s the perfect time to re-evaluate one’s self. Maybe you need a little fresh start MENTALLY. Maybe you need a season of self investment like me. One that gives a big ROI!
Yes?
What one thing can you do today to enhance the quality of your life later?
Thanks for letting me Think out loud today ya’ll!
Cheers!
aww friend! I hate that you didn’t get to go on this trip and you were feeling so down. but i adore how you turned it all around and dug deep, prayed, and found the things that matter, realizing that self investment is everywhere. I couldn’t agree more! XO
i know. so sad. But I know God has a plan. he always does. xxoo Glad you had a good vacation.
So wonderful. Sometimes I feel like we all work so hard that we miss out on the things that are truly worth working for.
Amen to that! I constantly need that reminder
Yessssss! This is such a great post – and such an important reminder!
I’m often the first to put my hand up to do everything to help everyone else – and in the past I’ve always put myself last. Last year I realised I was completely overrun – I was saying yes to so much on top of a crazy work schedule and trying to manage a busy blog and my health was suffering. This year Jesse and I decided we needed to learn how to say no – and we’ve been doing a pretty good job.
If I didn’t have him to keep me accountable, there’s no way I’d do it as I’m naturally a people pleaser but I am learning just how important self-investment is – especially as it allows me to help others better! I’m a better wife, a better daughter and a better friend because of it!
Thank you friend. I think we can all relate. <3
All I can say is this is a FANTASTIC POST!!!!!! Where would you have been in CA BTW? Selfish reasons! 🙂
I’ll take a week of self investment. In fact, the very thought feels so decadent right now. I had lunch with a girlfriend yesterday. That counts right?
My Hubby is studying for his boards so I am Sherpa wife and mom right now. In a few weeks though, I will say Yes to all of it.
Take care of you. You are worth. Also sometimes t’s great to just BE, without really DOING anything.
i heart you. And you deserve it all! <3 lunch counts
It was so selfless and loving of u to share this deep hearted, soul searching emotional post with us. I don’t think there is probably one woman that couldn’t relate to this. For me I feel it deeply and I also get lost on thick of it all at my own expense. This is a perfect time–end of the month, beginning of a new one, the Summer is still young to really seek and pursue within our own hearts and calm our lives. Our relationships thrive when we do that. I am sry u didn’t get to go on your trip, but some very deep, positive emotions came out of it. Here’s to a great summer and the power of NOW!! Live in the moment and nurse yourself like u do for everyone else. You are a beautiful soul.
I think that this is the year of self investment for me. This year is all about setting up for the future. And spending a lot of time, money, blood sweat and tears getting there. But also smiles and fun and returns. Here’s to the returns!
I feel ya friend! YOu got this! Invest and Keep me posted!
I love, love, looooove this post!! And I have to admit, I love your corny cotter posts 😉
I am so happy to read that you have been guided to what you need at this time and I hope you enjoy this season of rest. YOUUU are the most important and if you don’t give yourself what you need to thrive, then you can’t thrive. Self care for the win <3
thank you friend! needed to hear that.
I can relate to this all too well, as you probably know! Each one of these things are so hard for me to really take care of and it runs deep. I hope this is the beginning of something awesome for you and I hope I can follow, too. I know I need it but have a hard time taking real action with it. I need this reminder every day!
I want to hug your corny self. I love that last pic of you tow. And the quote about trying to impress vs. not feeling alone. SO TRUE!
i want a hug! brothers gotta hug! –> name that movie
love. you’re a good soul 🙂
<3 you
I feel this way every summer. In just worn down and need time off. It seems that no matter what I’m doing I’m always so focused and driven that I often forget to be living. So anyway, I understand what you mean but I certainly do not have all the answers.
So good. I’ve been needing some of this in my life right now. Last year was all about self and this year seems to have turned into career and progress. I’m still taking some time for myself, but not nearly enough and I was just thinking that earlier today. I’m so bummed you missed your flight; that’s super frustrating, but I’m glad it gave you a new perspective and an awesome post 🙂
oh thanks friend. I knew you could relate. xxoo
I love this so dang much. Corny Cotter posts are my favorite.
Mmm yes! A much needed reminder for so many of us!
Yes, please! I SO need this season. You’ve got me thinking, so now I need to come up with my Top 3. Thank you for the inspiration, friend! xoxo
I LOVE this post, Lindsay. It’s exactly what I needed to read today. I feel like people don’t often think of life in this kind of way – thinking about how we can do things NOW to affect our FUTURE selves. I know I didn’t really think of things that way. But making an investment in ourselves is the most important thing we can do for long term happiness. Thanks for the lesson 🙂
I so needed this. I mean, I’ll still probably keep working more than I should (just being honest), but I’ve been putting off some important appointments that I’m going to schedule today. And I’m going to make more time for joy, whatever that looks like on a day to day basis. 🙂 Thanks, Lindsay! I hope you get a good start on your season of self-investment.
So much yes to this!! I’m in the same boat in feeling like I should be working on things 24/7 without a true rest. Sometimes I find a good balance, but more often than not I tip too far to one side which just causes me stress.