2015 is The Year of ‘No Toggle’

“No Toggle” is a phrase I first heard in a Jess Lively’s podcast, during her interview with Kris Carter.

In a nutshell, Kris is striving to live his life as authentically and intentionally true to his purpose as possible. It means that he strives to be the same person at home as he is at work, with his friends as he is with his family. He’s giving every aspect of his life his all, and all of his TRUE SELF.

And from the moment that I heard that I knew that it was what I had to do. I wrote out the words “no toggle” on a post it note and put it on my desk at work.

You see, for a long time I have embraced what is likely the opposite of this idea. That my life has partitions, distinct sections, for work, for home. For retreat leading. For blogging. For working in advertising. But something in my own head has always stopped me from intermingling most of these parts. I hide away aspects of my spiritual self from my work life.

To be honest, I can not figure out why I have created this artificial distinction.
In college I was a religious studies major and in a sorority.
I was often asked if I wanted to be a nun, to which I would answer, “no,” but I know part of me wanted to consider ministry of some sort.

I went to Yale Divinity School but was so careful to announce to everyone who would listen that it was “an academic pursuit.” Even when they did not ask.

And yet there was that time that I called my Pastor and asked what it took to become a Lutheran minister.

At Divinity School I fell in love with classes like “Performance of Biblical Text” because when I acted out the gospel of Mark those moments in Jesus’ life came alive and were so real.

And now, when I lead a retreat, I get lost in the preparation, the ideas, the heady discussions with people at the retreat about what it means to be alive here and now, in this crazy digital age. I love how the stories of the Bible intertwine with our lives to provide depth and insights, that these stories are still so timely, impactful, and remain so contemporary.

“Do More of What Makes You Happy”

I can see now that the path that has led me to this point in my life was no accident. I can also sense that 2015 is my year to figure out what it means to live in a “no toggle” state. I’m excited for this, I welcome it, but it means stepping outside of my comfort zone.

I know that I want to be a life coach and a retreat leader, and maybe a small business digital media coach to help other people. I want them to know that they are good enough, that they are more than the messages they hear in advertising. And that they have a divine purpose that they are here to fulfill. Something that was planted in them before they arrived here, that they are being nudged towards, even if they have heard themselves deny it out-loud. Or followed a different path for awhile because it seemed pretty or like what they should do, or like what other people wanted them to do.

Because somewhere, in their heart, in the depths of their soul, they resonate with a calling. With a desire to be, to be something, do something, bigger than what they are right now. I know, because I feel it, too.

I know because this year I will be following it. And I sure hope you all come along for the ride.

Shared on: The Sunday Showcase