I love baskets.

There are so many things you can organize and carry and make beautiful with them!

And it seems that we women are drawn to the process of collecting and storing whether it be food for a family or fabric for a new project.

Some gathering can become troublesome though can’t it? The gathering I’m most concerned about for myself and others is the kind that keeps us reading and collecting ideas and skills. That in and of itself is a good thing! But what if the gathering feels so productive and takes so much time, that we quit there and never come around to doing what we know?

Can we really learn without the deepening wisdom that comes from experience? Is it possible to be immersed in information so much and so often that it keeps us from learning? I think so!

Hence, we may have baskets full of very good ideas to try sometime, while our basket of tried and true may stay closer to empty.

And that feels exhausting!

The joy and transforming energy comes in actually doing the work!

Doing the brainstorming. Actually making the list. Participating in the discussion. Feeling the pain of change. Confronting old patterns of belief. Taking the risks. Possibly appearing foolish while starting at the beginning of a new endeavor. {Did I mention pain?}

So here’s a challenge:

If you read or hear an idea today that sounds like something that would bless your life, I challenge you to stop gathering long enough to put that one thing into action.

Consider setting a goal to work on only a handful of small things at once and limit your gathering activities, or at least be extremely selective about the sources to which you will give your precious learning time.

There is great joy that comes when we hear and do. Great learning. Great wisdom. Great progress, even if the things we do are very, very small.

When you feel the triumph of doing the next baby step, it is exhilarating! That is because our joy comes as we take the tiny, incremental steps learning requires!

While on the other hand, gathering turns into pseudo-learning if we stay in that preliminary step, telling ourselves that we are being productive! We are kept from the joy of action because the time we need to practice is already spent in gathering more.

It’s wonderful to have a file for ideas to try later! Or for ways to get a regular shot–in-the-arm to stay motivated and on task; a place for recipes, hurrah for Pinterest! But— learning will be joyful when we actually start cooking. And don’t forget the eating!

I’m sending you my love. You’re doing far better than you know! I hope you will enjoy your life in this day; slow down {at least find quiet moments}, hear the birds and give thanks.

Love,

“The mission of Lioness at the Door is to uplift, strengthen and encourage women of all ages to magnify health, hope and happiness at home. We do so boldly, with humility and gratitude for the opportunity.”