I've had the opportunity to work with Time Out For Women for the past several years as a volunteer. I've folded programs, manned the will-call booth, ushered and just had a great time. Every year TOFW selects a theme for the events and as volunteers we find out ahead of time what the theme will be for the coming year…we also get those adorable tote bags! We were invited to make the theme a matter of thought and prayer and to find a way to incorporate it into our own life. This year's theme is CHOOSE TO BECOME. They asked us to find just one thing in our life that we would like to change, learn, strengthen, etc. to become closer to the women we are meant to be. I tried and tried to figure out what my Choose to Become goal should be and I couldn't do it.
Those of you who know me, know that I am a project person. I always have several irons in the fire. The author, Robert Heinlein, once said, "Specialization is for insects." I have to admit that I have long held that opinion. Because of the many areas of my life that I am striving to improve simultaneously and the many projects I am currently involved with, I was simply overwhelmed at the thought of choosing only one. So, I didn't.
Months passed and finally the weekend of the event arrived. This last weekend 2,000 women came together for the Logan Time Out For Women event and it was wonderful, as it always is!
I laughed.
I cried.
I rejoiced at having my daughter, Katie with me there for the first time.
As Laurel Christensen, the superhero formerly known as worst-case-scenario-girl, spoke on Friday night, I was deeply touched by the emotional journey her Choose to Become has led her through this year. Her example made me want to choose MY one thing. Laurel chose to become a runner. Maybe I should become a runner…No.
This became my pattern for the rest of the conference. I listened to each presenter and musician share a bit of their journey and thought, “Maybe I should become [insert their goal here]?” But the answer was always “No.” I was feeling discouraged. Why was this so difficult?
Saturday afternoon came and I was still searching to know what I needed to become. And then, Merrilee Boyack spoke. And I knew. I am supposed to become Strong again. I have not been through the devastating experiences that Merrilee has over the past year, but I have been broken down. I have been taken to my knees. And as soon as she talked about how her one thing was to become strong again the Spirit whispered to me that I need to do the same. So, give me this mountain!
That may mean giving up a few projects. It will mean more exercise - physical and spiritual. But I know that I can do this because, "All things are possible to him that believeth." Time Out For Women helped me find direction and inspiration to move forward and make the change that I need to and now I am Choosing to Become. Who knows, I may get to add a few projects. Maybe even running! Probably not, though.
Whit loves TOFW and looks forward to it each year. She occasionally blogs at About Time and is currently producing an competitive cooking show, Mom's Cooking Crisis.TOFW on occasion will link to relevant external blogs and websites; however, the views expressed in these blogs reflect the opinions of the blogger and in no way that of TOFW. TOFW is not affiliated with or responsible for the content of these external sites.