I’ve always been a goal-setter, a person who visualizes and affirms and all that other stuff. For the most part, these methods have served me well–I am, after all, living the dream that little Northport girl believed in so fiercely.
On my next birthday, I will be a year older. 🙂 (No, I’m not telling how old.) I’ve achieved many of the things I set out to do, plus some others that came as a (usually pleasant) surprise. I find that my priorities have changed, or maybe they’ve just become clearer. It’s hard to be sure. My values: God, country, family, friends, the well-being of the disadvantaged, both human and animal. I’ve come to the conclusion that God knows what should be next for me–for all of us–which brings me to the new motto.
Here it is: “Surprise me, God.”
That’s it, and as simple as it sounds, it’s big. It means I finally trust God to be a loving Father and not some vengeful version of Zeus, seriously p-o’ed about what a sinner I am. I am, of course, a sinner, just like everybody else, but I think that’s really beside the point. God is all about redemption, after all. That’s the whole point of the exercise, as far as I can tell. I’m no preacher–just saying what works for me. If it works for some of you as well, all the better. For myself, I have two simple prayers to offer God, “I love you” and “thank you”. Whatever comes of those prayers is up to Him. (For more info on this philosophy, google Ho’oponopono or read “The Easiest Way”, by Mabel Katz.)
The weather continues to be beautiful, restoring my winter-weary soul. Re-inspired by Oprah, I’m keeping a gratitude journal again. I finished my eight-week depression and anxiety group therapy sessions yesterday, and I got a lot out of it. I will miss the people in that group–everybody willing to level with everybody else about the challenges and the joys of life.
Plans for the day include drafting Chapter 2 of the third “Big Sky” book, “Big Sky River” and taking a nice walk in the sunshine. God probably has a few things in mind, too.
That’s the kitchen table news for today, my friends.
Go ahead and let yourself be blessed.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
