With Purpose and Joy
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
When your body says, “It’s time for a change,” will you believe it? When your spirit says, “This is good,” will you believe you can have it?
You’ve always had the power, my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.
— Glenda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
— T.S. Elliot
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a new future.”
Food for Thought
Either you have one, want one, or definitely know someone who has one. What is it? A fitness tracker, of course. Apple Watch, Fitbit, Oura Ring, Whoop, just to name a few. We’re way past the old pedometer that you could wear on your waistband and count your steps. Today, you know what your heart rate is at all times, you can even do an EKG on the fly, if you feel so inclined.
All this data is collected to help us become healthier, meet our wellness goals, and show us how far we have come as we try to become better versions of ourselves. I have an Oura Ring that I literally wear ALL THE TIME. This device has taught me one of the biggest life lessons – to live a life of purpose.
After 12 years of education, I had become the Ob/Gyn I always wanted to be – delivering babies, doing surgery, being a part of my patients’ lives in their most memorable times. This was my dream, finally coming true. But alongside all the life-giving moments, there were some other rhythms that were less than dreamy. At times, I was staying up all night and still going to work after a quick shower during my brief appearance at home. There were all the labs, phone calls, notes, orders, rounds at the hospital. And let’s not forget the duties of a mom in the home, where no one calls me Dr. Varnado.
My body quickly became aware that this was not sustainable. My heart was missing out on my young childrens’ experiences and growth. I saw my husband less and less as he stayed at home, the rock we needed, while I was the primary breadwinner. I should not have been surprised when “the call” showed up – this call was from God.
I had worked so hard to get to where I was – “Surely, God, you don’t want me to quit?!” I thought I had heard the call incorrectly; quitting was not an option. I tried to fix things another way, MY way. I was in a constant flurry of adjustment; I tried all I could think of to fix the imbalance. Though things got better, I still felt like my cup was far from running over, and in fact was starting to dry up.
Then we experienced a pandemic in 2020. In a short period of time, I went to shorter days in the office, spending more time with my family. I noticed my cup was starting to fill again and it felt good. The call revisited me, and this time it was much louder.
I was terrified for what was to come. My practice was all I had known of my work. But the change turned out to be a blessing. Though the money I earned was significantly less, the joy and peace I felt was undeniable. Eventually, this call led me to create a holistic wellness center for women where I could be present with my patients and not feel rushed — holding appointments specifically for prayer as a tool for healing.
One day I noticed the stress data on my Oura ring; my numbers were so much better than before. There was more room now for purpose, for intention, for well-being, for my patients and for myself. My cup was actually being filled by doing the work I was called to do, the way I felt God wanted me to do it. It was the complete opposite of the stress and depletion I had previously felt.
Saying yes to what I believed to be God’s plan for my life and stepping out on faith, despite the fear of something new, has led me to a place in my work that I could never have imagined when I started my medical pursuits.
The sense of purpose and the joy that I have received has been a balm to heal the wounds of living and working as the world would have me live and work, which has been an incentive to instead embrace the life-giving call of God upon it all. Trusting and believing in God’s promises for my life and work was the only wellness tracker I needed.
How can you use joy and purpose as health trackers in your own life? Evaluate the moments and experiences of your day today. Do these offer joy to you? Do they enhance your sense of purpose? If so, how can you recreate more such opportunities in your life?
Make a list of the things that bring you joy, and post it somewhere where you can see it — do at least one of those things this week!
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
Blessing
God of our peace and of our joy,
Help us to quiet the noise of life long enough that we might hear your call upon our life and work clearly. Guide us as we strive to walk boldly into the life of purpose that will lead to the restoring of our mind, body, and soul. In the name of the One who brings order and meaning out of chaos,
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Where are the places in your life that you feel palpable joy? Where are the places in your life that you are being drained?
What do you think keeps us from living into the joy of our lives more fervently?
How might it change your life if you leaned more into the joy? How do you think it might change our communities?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Together with your kiddo, make a list of activities they wish they could keep doing for hours. (Try to avoid activities with screens) Make plans to do at least one of those activities each week.
Everyone has something that makes them special. Ask your child/children what they think makes them special?
Talk together about where you find beauty in the world. Where do you find joy?
Meet This week’s writer!
Dr. Benita Varnado, double board-certified in Ob/Gyn and Lifestyle Medicine, brings over 20 years of expertise in both traditional medicine and lifestyle interventions, along with natural approaches that empower women to take control of their health. At Oui (pronounced "We") Holistic Wellcare Center, Dr. V partners with women to uncover the root causes of their symptoms and conditions. "Oui," meaning "yes" in French, reflects the center's commitment to saying yes to healing, transformation, and being inspired by a community that keeps you accountable. The Center uses its Trifecta of Healing—Lifestyle Change, Community, and GOD—to support TRUE transformation and lasting results.
To hear more from Dr. Varnado throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!
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