What Lights You Up?

*Published in The Junction Review, January 13th, 2021

In December, I found myself in a bit of a “funk” … I continued to show up for my family as the best me I could be, but inside I felt a little weary … a little discouraged, and frankly, a little bored … as I attempted to plan for 2021, I found myself jotting things down, but not really feeling “lit up” or excited about any of it …

As I often do, I sat down early one morning to “sort this all out” … at the top of the page in my journal, I wrote: What “Lights Me Up”? What Makes Me Feel Alive? What Do I Love to Do?

And, as I started to brainstorm and jot some things down, I felt like I was “re-discovering” who I am … and what I love …

Too often, we get a little “lost” … we get wrapped up in COVID-19 statistics … we’re busy with work and raising kids … we get caught up in the mundane … or in serving those around us … and we forget who we are … OR we’ve been told to “stuff it” … to do something more productive … something more “important” …

But, honestly, what’s more important than a life that you enjoy? A life that you love?

There’s so much value in getting back to what we love … to what “lights us up” … to what excites us …

I love reading, so I read (anything and everything I can to be a better human).

I love all things growing and learning.

I love intellectual conversation.

I love music (and singing and dancing, even though I’m no good at it).

I like getting creative, and spending time with my kids.

I love writing (obviously).

I like brainstorming, planning, and organizing, and creating things that didn’t exist before.

I love “gathering the people.”

I love being outdoors, especially near the water.

I love sunrises and sunsets and petting our kitties.

I like contributing (and serving others).

So I make time for these things … I put them in my calendar … and I do them …

As you read this, I hope you’re inspired to sit down and write your own list of “loves” … your own list of things that excite you and light you up … then make a point of incorporating them into your daily life … put them in your calendar … and do them …

Here’s the My Things I Love (or Really, Really Like) List: Worksheet to get you going!