LIVING THE GONEGIRLGO LIFE: VANESSA

Olivia's Daughter,
Vanessa Jordan

I’ve known Vanessa for a few years. We go to New Community Bible Fellowship and workout at True Image Fitness together. We’ve talked and mingled a little in the same circle, but I can’t say that we have been especially close. As an acquaintance, I knew that she had a heart for God. I also knew that she encountered a few trials and tribulations in her life that I’m sure changed her forever.

Recently, Vanessa and I have been connecting through our written words. I don’t know how I stumbled upon her blog, but when I did, I was so impressed with her transparency and honesty. Reading her words made me feel close to her. I don’t remember when and how we connected through gonegirlgo. I’m glad though because Vanessa is one of my biggest cheerleaders and I didn’t realize how much until today:

• She has commented on several of my posts.
• She has mentioned  gonegirlgo  in her blog a few times.
• She attended the 1st Challenge Me to Grow Kick-Off, even though she broke her foot that same week.
• She signed up to participate in the Challenge Me to Grow pilot.
• She has been to every event that I have been involved with over the past few months.

Now that’s what I call support.

When I asked her to share her story, I didn’t realize how much it would impact me. I didn't realize how much she would impact me. She is amazing and so I had to represent her story differently. I created a video using PowerPoint. Click the arrow to play the video. Click pause, if you need to slow the video down a little.

 

I look forward to what God has in store for me and Vanessa's new found friendship. It’s reassuring me about a few things in my life. Please follow Vanessa’s blog. It’s awesome. It's her.  http://www.vjordan79.blogspot.com/.

Peace

TAKE STOCK OFTEN

I’m not sure how often it should be done, but taking stock of your life regularly is a good thing to do. It’s like taking inventory of your life. It includes examining the goods that are in abundant supply, and the goods that need replenishing. Taking stock also involves looking back to see how far you have come (your position), and recognizing where you are now so that you can create a vision of where you want to go (direction).



Reading past journal entries helps me
to take stock



Let’s start with examining those goods. By goods, I don’t necessarily mean material possessions, but those assets and resources that dwell within your soul and spirit. Some of us refer to them as the fruits of the spirit – love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self–control. Lately, I have been thinking about how these “goods” are displayed in my life.Since I have been pushing forward this movement, I have been more like Martha than Mary. I realize that if gonegirlgo is going to make impact, I need to go back to cultivating these goods or tending to these fruit in my garden.

This makes me recall a previous post when I said, “My experience has taught me that a person who desires to push their ideas and dreams forward can’t if they are living by default.” So I am taking stock in this area of my life, right now and I have to ask myself this question, “Am I living by default?”

  

I have held onto this thought for years.



For those of you who work or have worked in environments where goods are bought and sold, what would you say about taking inventory?  Is it fun? Does it require time? How much time does it take to complete the process? Do you need some type of checklist to use as a guide? What does it feel like as you’re doing it? What does it feel like when it is done? Asking yourself these questions will help you make sense of taking stock in this area of your life.  



This one is a great reminder
of how I used to think.



Now let’s look at taking stock of your position and direction. When I look back at my position as a big ideas thinker a few years ago, I appreciate the progress that I have made. I absolutely love the fact that I am no longer a dreamer afraid that my dreams will turn into nightmares and haunt me or that my ideas would be duds. Executing my ideas has been liberating and exciting. The energy, vibrancy, and wherewithal that I had when I was a little girl are back! Looking back at my past “then” helps me look forward to my future “then”. Looking back also helps me to regroup, refocus, and rewind. I have a better sense of where I want to go (direction). And to top it off, there’s a sweetness in my soul knowing that I am pushing forward in my purpose and that my ideas are encouraging others.

  

Here are a few questions that you can ask yourself to help you make sense of taking stock of your position and direction: Am I okay with where I have landed in life? What feelings get invoked when I recall where I was? What feelings get invoked when I think about where I am now? Are those feelings different? Has my thinking changed at all? What does it feel like now that I am living my purpose?

 

I was so fearful about sharing my
writing back then.



Writing this was good for me. I hope reading it is good for you. Remember to take stock often. And of course, push forward and go.

Peace