Stuck Inside Your Own Mind

I had good intentions. I quietly took last week off of blogging to move my hosting over to a new provider and build up some content.

I did neither.

Instead I spent the week searching, frustrated and stuck inside my mind. I’ve been trying to discover my purpose, God’s plan for my life, for the last few years. I’m not there yet. And I was frustrated.

Then I read this in an awesome newsletter I get for creatives written by a burgeoning friend, Keith Jennings:

What about you? What thread (or root note) connects everything you’re doing creatively and professionally?

Arrgghh. I don’t know. I’ve been blogging here for 2 years trying to answer that question, but I haven’t quite figured it out yet.

But I’m so glad he wrote it.

I thought about it all week. And I mean thought about it. Like where I could barely think about anything else. Like obsessed over it. To the point of exhaustion.

It was so good to think about what my thread may be, but I think I let myself take it too far.

Have you ever done that? Have you ever started with something good and through your own compulsiveness turned it into something very different? Then you were just stuck inside your own mind, trying to find a way out?

It’s good to get in your mind. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to get stuck there, though.

When it happens to me it’s generally like stepping into the ring with a much larger, tougher and relentless version of myself. The smaller version, me, loses every time.

I come out bruised and battered. Maybe a little better for the lesson, but probably more damaged than is healthy.

Not sure where I’m going with this, to be honest. I’m thinking about my purpose, this blog’s purpose and a host of other things.

That’s enough about me for now.

What about you? Do you do get stuck in your mind too? What do you do to get out?

Leave a comment and let’s talk.

  • http://www.trailreflections.com/ Chris Peek

    Been there and still go there. And you’re exactly right – it’s not a good idea to get stuck there. I used to think there was one grand purpose out there just for me. I don’t really think that so much anymore – there’s purpose in so much I pursue. I’ve found purpose in being a loving and supportive husband. I’ve found purpose through writing and allowing God to use it to connect with friends and readers. I’ve found purpose in spending regular time in Creation. I’ve found purpose through serving others in my career and when God puts people in my path. One key for me has been to live life and take action out of the desires God has instilled inside of me.

    • http://aparchedsoul.com/ Grayson Pope (A Parched Soul)

      Good stuff Chris. So would you say that God steers us more so than sends us in one specific direction? I’m fascinated by the difference b/c it can have profound implications for how we live our lives. I think, like you have, I need to find more purpose in my everyday life than I do. It’s almost the “grass is greener” mentality.

      • http://www.trailreflections.com/ Chris Peek

        I do think he steers us by writing desires on our hearts. It’s so easy to get caught up in waiting for “the big purpose” that we miss out on our purposes in the present. I like what Gary Barkalow has to say about it in his fantastic calling course when he says, “Continually ask God, ‘What’s the story.’” He goes on to argue that stories don’t give answers, they give perspective and orientation. I haven’t read his book “It’s Your Call”, but I imagine it’s very similar to his course.

        • http://aparchedsoul.com/ Grayson Pope (A Parched Soul)

          Interesting. You’ve taken the course you mentioned? Is it something available for free?

  • http://twitter.com/tylerscotthess Tyler

    I used to…but now I set up a schedule where I absolutely have to do work in the morning no matter what…then if I get lost in the afternoon its okay :)

    • http://aparchedsoul.com/ Grayson Pope (A Parched Soul)

      That’s good to have a strong morning routine that fosters productivity.

  • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

    I’ve been through periods like this. Some periods lasted years. There’s probably not very much wisdom I could give you that you haven’t heard before. I’ve always known the next step that I should take, although I’ve never seen the whole path. I just take that step and pray that God would show me the rest of the way.

    • http://aparchedsoul.com/ Grayson Pope (A Parched Soul)

      I really like that approach of taking the next best step. That’s mostly what I work towards. Even when God showed Moses the burning bush he didn’t explain everything. How do you get to a point of comfort with what your next step should be?

      • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

        I would just define taking the  next step in the extreme short term. Like what do I do today, this week, this month. My guess is that you probably know what to do in that time frame.

  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

    Oh Yeah, I relate. I get stuck in my own mind more than I’d like and often am bruised and battered for it…though also usually wiser and stronger.

    You will be in my prayers. Don’t rush the journey…there’s growth in waiting for God to answer. I don’t like His silence at times. I want answers, I want action, I want to move.
    And God wants me to wait, to rest in Him and to let Him be in control.