Things I don't have to do

I don't know about the rest of you out there, but I find myself often weighted down with obligations. My life is full of great pursuits and great people, and I am so grateful for those many blessings I have. But I am also frequently beset by the impression that I "have to" do certain things in order to be a good person/daughter/friend/Christian/employee/sister/student. Like I have to work to earn the blessings that -hmmm- have already been given to me.

I guess I feel like I have to conform to what everyone expects of me. The expectations that because I went to a good school and got my degree that I should be working a high-paying corporate job. The oh-my-she's-26-and-not-married-yet-will-she-ever-be attitude that I know is out there. Even the assumption that I should be conservative, or liberal, to be on the "proper" side. Some of these impressions come from outside sources, from my culture, from family or friends. But the desire to meet those expectations comes from my own sinful self. I see those "norms" and want to live up to the standard out of my own pride, or out of the fear of disappointing people.

This struggle to appease others and soothe my own ego leaves me feeling pulled in so many directions that my mind, body and spirit are exhausted.

But I'm realizing more and more that these pressures are destructive. I am learning the difference between striving after holiness because of love (which really leaves me free and full of joy) and striving to be good for selfishness (which imprisons me with my own failures). I need to not only stifle but thoroughly extinguish this second mindset if I want to live a life that brings God the MOST glory.

And I do want that. I want to radiate joy, to do what fulfills my ultimate purpose--to worship the Creator and point others to Him. He has already redeemed me, and my gratitude overwhelms me, pushing me to act, to serve, to love. The other things--these "expected things"--don't matter.

So I decided to make a list of things that I don't need to do. I appear to be in a list-y kind of mood lately. ;)  This one was a valuable little exercise for me, to admit to myself that these things are not critical.

(Disclaimer: I may in fact want to do some of the things on this list. Perhaps I will do them. The thing is, I don't HAVE to do them. And putting them in that perspective helps.)

I don't have to:

*work 9 to 5
*make more money than I need
*look perfect
*own things
*use my degree
*get married
*have children
*be stylish
*care about celebrity news
*go to grad school
*stay home
*strive to please everyone
*diet
*be calculating and planned-out
*have a plethora of friends
*compete with coworkers
*be outgoing
*be afraid

Now, this isn't just a way to excuse lackadaisical behavior. If you know me, you know that I work hard and will strive for excellence in all my pursuits. It's about my motives and the source of my direction, which I hope will continue to be more and more pure as the days go by.

Oh how happy are we,

Chelsea

Map by Amy R