At the end of last year, you know when things were “normal” I made it a New Years’ goal to read one book per month. To my avid reader friends, this may not sound that impressive. But this was about prioritizing personal growth, creating opportunities to hear different perspectives, welcoming inspiration and creativity. I’m sharing some of what I learn in my 3 lessons from “Beginner’s Pluck”.
In my quest to find the perfect collection of books to read, I stumbled upon this enthusiastic and energetic Instagram account owned by none other than Mrs. Liz Forkin Bohannon. I knew nothing about her and had yet to learn about Beginner’s Pluck or Sseko Designs. However, her shared quotes and Instagram captions drew me in which led to my next Amazon purchase, a book titled Beginner’s Pluck.
I love discussions around intentional living, the pursuit of purpose and finding the lessons and meaning in our everyday lives. Ultimately, those ideas and passions led me to create Joyful with Purpose. And I’m very much at the beginning stages of this creative journey and what Liz would define as the perfect place to harness my…
“Beginner’s Pluck”.
Weaved into her story she lays the framework for how to “build your life of purpose, passion and impact.” I will refrain from summarizing her book and rather give you three lessons that I’m holding onto as I walk out my own journey. The book is filled with quotes that will speak to you, stories that will have you laughing out loud and real life accounts of women that will inspire you to tears. But most importantly, it will challenge you to look inside yourself for the courage to live a life centered around a purpose much greater than your own gain, comfort and happiness.
A challenge I am both eager and anxious to accept.
Before I share my own lessons from her book, check out this video of Liz sharing her thoughts on Beginner’s Pluck.
Can’t wait until the end of this post to purchase your own copy of Beginner’s Pluck? You can shop here and that purchase will directly impact the lives of amazing women across the globe. Women just like Beatrice.
Inspired yet?
3 Lessons from “Beginner’s Pluck”
“Your passion isn’t found in your dreaming. It’s made by your doing.”
This quote tucked away in chapter 2 of Beginner’s Pluck stopped me in my tracks. Liz reiterates throughout the book that passion is built not found. It reminds me of a quote from Mother Theresa that says, “I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things”. Dreaming, planning and praying all serve an imperative purpose. At some point though, we must start building and doing.
It is in this doing that we build our greatest passions and utmost purpose. I do believe we must dream and plan but if we stop there we negate our passion and the purpose for it in the first place.
I hope you’ll join me in doing. That little nudge to try something new? The thought that you can’t escape? The idea that maybe there’s a little more out there for you? Do it! Start today and take the first action step. If you find yourself at a dead end, turn around and take a different turn.
You should feel no regret because of that dead end. You simply learned that it was a dead end. This is more than you knew before you started. Right?
Keep Moving
The first lesson is emboldened by the assignment to keep moving. Movement as Liz states is never fatal. I have spent entirely too much time trying to determine which move is the right move. When honestly, the only wrong one is to stop. Stopping is stagnant. The definition of stagnant is not advancing or developing, showing no activity; dull and sluggish. Yuk!! No one wants to define their life as such. Movement on the other hand is progressive always resulting in growth and impact.
That’s not to say that movement means you won’t fail. You most certainly will. At times our movement will resemble that of a fluid sprinter or graceful dancer. And guaranteed at other times, it will mirror that of a baby deer taking his first step or a painful crawl across the finish line. But in either instance, movement trumps stagnation.
So once you determine to start doing rather than remaining in the dreaming phase, also make a promise to yourself to keep moving. Don’t quit. Persevere.
We are in this together.
It is so true that we are in this together. She depicts this beautifully in a chapter titled, Walk One Another Home. Our greatest purpose will always involve the inclusion of others. Notice I didn’t say “helping” others. Placing ourselves in a position to always be the helper is a trap to elevate ourselves and underestimate the value of the person next to us.
This truth is summed up perfectly on page 212, “We’re all created in the image of the Divine to partake in the beautiful and terrifying dance of giving and receiving, joy and disappointment, miracles and mistakes”.
The pressure is off to be a hero, expert or even to avoid being a disappointment. Simply walk aside one other, carry and be carried, love and be loved, share in the beauty and chaos of life.
Don’t forget this simple but life changing truth.
Finally, I’ll leave you with a video of Liz telling where her story continues. If you would like to know more or you’re interested in becoming a Fellow, please reach out via email to jessica@joyfulwithpurpose.com or the Contact Page. You can shop Sseko Designs here and always find a link under Shop with Me on the Joyful with Purpose homepage. Beginner’s Pluck is available for purchase at Sseko Designs and on Amazon. I hope you enjoyed my 3 lessons from “Beginner’s Pluck” and that you will add this book to your reading list.
I love the idea of supporting these beautiful women as they make our world a better place.
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