Finding Deeper Meaning in the Quietness of New Beginnings

“Be like a tree. Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Enjoy your unique natural beauty. Keep growing.”

Joanne Raptis

Have I mentioned how much I love, love, love this quote? It may seem simple, but wow. The truth and wisdom within speak volumes. It resonates with memories of years gone by and mingles with thoughts of finding deeper meaning in the quietness of new beginnings.

Ringing in a new year reminds me to dig into winter’s silent promise. A new day is just over the horizon and holds a hushed calling.

Be the peaceful warrior you were created to be….

Fresh starts and old resolutions

Visions of how a fresh start might clash with the relevance of old resolutions we seldom keep have a way of haunting even the most aspiring souls. Nevertheless, I’m all in with having hope for tomorrow and not letting past failures or mistakes define me. Finding deeper meaning in the quietness of new beginnings may take exploration, but it’s worth the effort.

“Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

1 Thessolonians 4:11-12

Keep growing?

Yep. We’re back to that memorable thought…

Imagine my bulgy-eyed emoji here (mainly because I can’t seem to stop growing—or gaining—in the wrong direction. Thank you very much, wonderful thyroid meds). Anyway, I hope you try to connect the dots of where I’m going with this, so please read on…

Seeking depth and finding our way upstream in a babbling, shallow brook

It’s been said that humans are natural seekers. We seek. Find. And move on to the next interesting thing we think we want. Get what I’m saying? We strive to gain prestige, accolades, or maybe even a better table at a fantastic restaurant, and sometimes, the goal isn’t the issue. Striving is. (More on this topic coming soon).

Striving for what matters most may be different than what we’ve been told

Could higher visibility, recognition, or formal achievements cloud what we perceive as a life well-lived? (And yet another topic is coming soon).

I can reason that seeking happiness or true satisfaction isn’t measured by bigger platforms, a checked box on our social media to-do list, or a financial plan summary (thank God), but will my peers or industry professionals believe me? Most will say I’m copping out on working toward my goals or dreams. Or numbers.

In reality—I’m not. I’m freeing myself to listen and be…

In the quiet

• Writing new stories.
• Breathing new life into almost-dead stories.
• Reading new books and genres.
• Enjoying private moments with loved ones and in nature—minus a hundred snapshots or selfies.
• Moving. Forward.

Be it at a tortoise’s pace, but technically, moving. I’m deliberately praying. Redefining my ambitions. I’m not spinning my wheels obsessing about social platforms. No contests. Premature pitches. Pushing my square-pegged body into clicks—I mean… circles. Or vice versa.

Yes. You can say I’m definitely more of the circular type, but still, I never fit in. Anywhere.

Can you relate?

Anyway, I believe in signs and nudges from above. Today, I received a message about finding deeper meaning in the quiet mystery of new beginnings. I will forge ahead against crashing avalanches and all the thronging voices telling me what I must do to succeed or reach my goals—I mean… My God-given purpose. I hope you do, too.

Stop chasing crowds…

Here are some thoughts on God’s ways. Thoughts I want to cling to now more than ever.

Matthew 6:1 ESV and please Read full chapter here.

God’s ways are not our ways. He sees us even though our loud lives are in direct contrast to His Son Jesus’s quiet one.

Here today, gone tomorrow?

While the bible compares our existence here on earth to a vapor in the wind, I’ve often said, “I won’t sit around waiting for death. I’d rather hike a snowy mountain trail, sail on uncharted waters, or zipline over a remote rainforest or canyon.” And yes, I have done all three.

Here today. Gone tomorrow? I never spent much time pondering that thought. Until the day my mirror whispered, “Joann. You should.”

“They say time flies when you’re having fun, but I say time flees when you hit fifty. Everything after that is a secret metaphoric blur.”

Joann Claypoole ~ AKA, me. (January 2024)

I’ve experienced God’s kindness throughout my life and learned a few things along the chilly way. I could speak of miracles, but most would seem far-fetched because they were meant for me to see and not share. That’s amazing. It’s hard not to speak of such things and other things, like how God speaks in the quiet or how he can be silent in the things we think we should celebrate.

Quiet

The Bible holds answers to numerous quizzical secrets this world doesn’t understand. And while I pray the Holy Spirit gives me new ambitions to help me grow in wisdom this year, I hope even more for the kind of life that makes God smile.

Visible and valuable 24/7, or who we were meant to be?

We live in a world where almost every industry professional instructs (and demands) that we all become trend-setters or at least be front and center. Visible and valuable. All. The. Time.

instead of confessing our sins, we hide them. Instead of keeping our good deeds secret, we parade them on social media. Knowing. We do the opposite of what Jesus preached not to do.

While I’ve been one to say let’s keep much joy for the blustery journey ahead, I also need reminding (thanks, Dennis) that it’s not how fast I can read the bible—it’s how deep.

Another new perspective

I believe I can choose to see the good hidden under all the slush of January’s storms or the certainty of… uncertain times to come. The mysterious gifts of every season, the uniqueness in each wrinkled face, and the everyday blessings in the world around us.

Insignificant as an individual snowflake, tree, flower, mountain, coastline, animal—or fill in the blank—might appear to some, I believe all were created with and from God’s perspective of the world we live in. All can help change ours too—If. If. If… we open our eyes.

Open our eyes, Lord

What if we commit to praying for changes we hope to see in 2024 and beyond? I’m not talking about political change. I’m talking about life change. The kind that begins and ends with me… and you. Individually. Unconditionally. Lovingly. Us.

That kind of new perspective might rewrite our prayers to begin with something much greater than, “We love you, Lord. Thank you for all we have. Please help us…Blah, blah, blah.”

How about if I start with:

Forgive me

Forgive me, Father, for I sometimes know what I continually do. Undo my heart, God. Until. All I see is YOU. I—and dare I say, we, need and want more of you. Open our eyes, Lord. Change our hearts and minds. Help us see the gift of every breath. Every tear. Every day.

Life is worth living. There will be new things to come. Good things. Because I believe tomorrow is more than just a new day. And for some, it could be the beginning of eternity.

That’s probably the main reason I believe in finding deeper meaning in the quietness of new beginnings. I hope you do, too.

Dear friends,

Have you ever wandered in the snow wondering about finding deeper meaning in the quietness of new beginnings? The definition isn’t so voiceless if we seek humility and truth. While some clues about life’s mysteries remain hidden, are you willing to search for answers with a new perspective?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the Inspire a Fire comments section below this post. Read my IAF articles or click highlighted links throughout this post, and please visit: Dreamdove’s Flights of Fancy blog DoveStories website.

Wishing you joy on all your journeys,

Joann

Special thanks: All images courtesy of Pixabay. Feature image by 12019, #1 image by jplenio, #2 image by StockSnap, #3 image by dreampixel