I had a minor freakout this week about a project I’m working on. I was ready to throw in the towel—on the project but also on my writing career. Suddenly, it all seemed like a bad idea.
My husband helped talk me down, but the other thing that helps when these moments happen (as I’m sure they do to all creatives or entrepreneurs) is to pause and decide if the emotions are coming from God or from fear. I am trying to stay receptive to God’s plan for my career and my work, which means discerning what is his will and what is not. I know that he will let me know if I need to quit something, and it will come with a feeling of peace, not fear (or at least not predominantly fear).
I fought through the panic and settled back into peace. I historically have not attempted much that I knew I might fail at. I stuck with the activities where I knew God had given me talent and where there was a relatively high chance of success—and avoided the rest. This project feels much riskier than the things I usually work on, and it’s giving me some fear.
But through the prophet Isaiah, God told us, “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). If he calls us to something hard, he promises to be with us through it all.
In whatever scary work you are doing, may you feel God’s presence!
Here’s what I’ve been reading and listening to this week:
Haley Stewart’s “Year of Jane” reached my favorite novel, Emma. This reflection on how she relates to Emma resonated with me, because (sometimes in not so good ways!) I do, too. (Fortunately, that means that I have a Mr. Knightley!)
As a fangirl of the Carmelites, I enjoyed this ChurchPOP article on five lessons laypeople can take from the Carmelite monastic life.
Here’s your good news for the week: Guinness record holders Adiah and Adrial Nadarajah, born four months early, are doing well and just celebrated their first birthday!
As someone who prays the Rosary daily but sometimes struggles to do so, I thought this Radiant article by Nicole Aube had some great tips for building a Rosary habit. (I wrote an article for Radiant in 2021 on my own practice.)
I discovered the new publication “Fairer Dispositions” this week and am so excited about their perspective and their lineup of writers. Here’s their first essay, by Serena Sigillito.
I am very tired of the “stop having babies because we’re overpopulating the planet” narrative and was, therefore, happy to see this essay in The Atlantic discussing its problems (written by Alex Trembath and Vijaya Ramachandran of the Breakthrough Institute, an environmental research center).
Catholic Women in Business released its latest episode! My co-president, Elise Crawford Gallagher, and our designer, Lisa Johnson, talked all things design and working motherhood. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
I didn’t finish any books this week, so you tell me: What’s your favorite book you’ve read recently?
Visit my website, or learn more about Catholic Women in Business.
I have this same freak out moment about once a week. 🤦🏻♀️ Thank you for sharing!
I also really appreciated Serena Sigillito's piece! I am really excited to see the fruit of this Fairer Disputations project.