Choosing to Ride the Wave of Possibility in the Empty Nest

Something in this photo calls to me. A surging wave speaks of great danger and great possibility, all in the same moment. In a split second you decide to either back down or rise up. To shrink away or engage. This choice will determine much more than you realize. It will either leave you deflated or empower you to take greater steps.

I think back to moments when, with both fear and excitement, I said Yes to getting married, to writing a book, to being in a band, to taking a job in a new town, to meeting a stranger for lunch, to writing down my dreams. Each of these steps took me farther than I could have ever imagined! New relationships, skills, understanding, and experiences all grew from a simple Yes.

In the same way, I remember invitations I turned down because of fear or other unhealthy emotions. Invitations I’ll never get again. I’ll never know how each one might have changed my life. Instead of regretting my loss, however, I’ve learned to let these missed opportunities build a case for courage. I’ve chosen to embrace the Holy Spirit pressing my fear-issues and empowering me to live more fully.

Let missed opportunities build a case for #courage. #emptynest #empowerednester Click To Tweet

 

What about you?

With all the many waves washing up on the shores of your empty nest, are you being pulled under an emotional riptide? Or are they carrying you on a new adventure? It’s a choice, day by day. Sometimes, moment by moment. Intentional. Determined. Choosing.

• Will you ride the wave of possibility in the next chapter?
• Will you give yourself the chance to succeed?
• To find new perspective, open doors, and opportunity for awe?

This paradox isn’t limited to the empty nest. We’re in that space in any given season, aren’t we? Each day offers both risk and probability. Either you back away from dreams and opportunities and let waves of fear, apathy, or discouragement take you down, or you choose to ride that wave to see where an open door takes you.

Opportunities come in a million ways.

• Starting a conversation.
• Asking a question.
• Researching an idea.
• Trying a new activity.
• Following up on an offer.
• Nurturing yourself.
• Prioritizing a relationship.
• Applying for a job.
• Moving to a new area.
• Leaving behind a bad habit.
• Looking at life through gratefulness.

Life is never still.

It’s always moving, shifting, changing. It comes with joy and pain, growth and sorrow. None of us are immune to the tests and trials of this earthly life. But we do have the choice of how we face them; how we see them and go through them. You can either focus on the obstacle or recognize the opportunity that’s waiting in the wings. There’s always an opportunity far greater than the obstacle itself. Always a dream our Creator is waiting to unfold if you believe and receive it.

You can either focus on the #obstacle or recognize the #opportunity waiting in the wings. #emptynest #empowerednester Click To Tweet

 

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
I Corinthians 2:9 NLT

 

May I encourage you? Say Yes to one invitation today. Step toward an open door. Take advantage of a possibility and see where it will take you. I’d love to hear about it below!