Meet the Newest Addition To Your Support Team! (Part 2)

I asked my dad if it bothered him that he never used his creative gifts and talents that he enjoys to provide for us. He said, “No. I’ve never thought about it.” Not a shocking answer from a “just get the job done” baby boomer. He continued explaining how he’s always been content no matter the circumstance and he’s never looked back on his life with regrets. I’ve always loved those character traits about him.

Honestly, I already knew he didn’t regret what he did in life or taking care of his family by doing whatever job he had to do…But I did. Yes, he enjoyed life and his time off to the fullest. Even now as a man in early retirement, he’s known as the family bingo caller. You can always find him at all the family events willingly leading the entertainment and making sure that everyone’s having fun. He is satisfied with that, so I want to be satisfied with that too. But a part of me knows that there are lots of creatives like him out there who are creative writers, painters, singers, poets, videographers and just makers of all things beautiful. And they don’t want to do it just in their off time as a hobby or wait until they retire from their career. They would love to do it more regularly. They would love to do it as their part-time or maybe even full-time work.

Negative thoughts inside of the creative may lead them to not be brave enough to say it or even think that it’s even possible. Maybe they think it’s possible for someone else but not for them. They want to make money doing what they love but feel a false sense of guilt over the thought. I feel called to those people. I feel like God highlights those people in my eyes and my heart. I feel like God does not want them to be retired before they start doing what they love. What if they can look back over their lives and say that they did with they loved every day from 8 to 5, if that is what they desire. I want to see people be able to say that they created something wonderful and it changed their community. I want to see inventors make things that change the way we do things. I want my husband’s music dream to truly come true. I want him to be able to continue to provide for his family and love HOW he provides.

I guess this is where this new blog, “Jeneil’s Angle” comes in. Since you are here, here is my angle. From my viewpoint, every skilled creative, every maker, every person who has something to offer through their gifts and talents should be encouraged, allowed, and supported to use those giftings to provide for their family. I believe that’s true for my husband, but not just for my family, for lots of families. What do you have inside of you that you want to do and accomplish with your giftings and talents? What’s in there that you bury down inside of you from 8 to 5 and then it comes bubbling up as soon as you clock out? Do you want your gift to be your 8 to 5? What steps are you making to make that your 8 to 5? Do you have a support system that believes in you and supports you in making consistent steps no matter how small or how scary big the steps are? Do you have a support system helping you to make sure it happens no matter how long it takes? Let’s do a roll call for that support team. Feel free to call my name first. I’ll raise my hand, “Present”.