What are you doing?

I wonder how many times I've said that to the children: WHAT are you doing?! or What are you DOING!?
Before waaaaassup (or 'sup) there was "Whatcha doin'?"
I suppose the work-related version is "What is the plan?"
Oh, and answering that very question is the basis of Twitter.
But I've come to the realization that you can't just let life happen around you ... that isn't how it is supposed to be. You do have to DO something.

For years, I was oblivious to the world. No, I wasn't in a coma, but I wasn't living either. I went through life, as a wife, a mother, a co-worker, just riding the tide. I've always professed that "everything happens for a reason" but that doesn't mean that we don't have choices. For the past few months, I have been an active participant in my life, in the world, and wow, what a difference it makes! I feel like I'm doing something that matters.

At work, I interview potential employees as well as write performance evaluations. People who get high marks from me are those that show initiative. Don't wait for someone to hand you a task, ask for one ... better yet, go find one! When you have a task to do, do you just complete it as prescribed, or are you adding value? Can you see the big picture and how you fit in? Do you understand the impacts of your actions on the rest of the team and the project schedule or budget? When you write a paper or prepare a presentation, do you use the active voice (The supervisor reviewed the report and corrected the issue) or the passive voice (The report was reviewed and the issue was corrected)? Now, let's translate that to LIFE ...

Are you waiting to see what life hands you? Do you let things happen to you or do you make them happen for you? Are you adding value to the lives of the people around you? Are you making a difference in the world? Do you see beyond your own life, into the lives of others? Are you actively participating in your life? In the grand scheme of things, what are you accomplishing on this planet? What is your legacy? What are you DOING?

If you ask a parent what his or her legacy is, they will most likely reference their children. A business owner will note their work. A philanthropist, their latest endowment. But there is more to life than just leaving a mark on the planet. What does that mark say about you? Have you been a good example to your children or your co-workers or your beneficiaries? If your children are your legacy - what you leave behind - are they equipped not only to exist but to live? You know that your children learn more from what you do than what you say. What are you doing that they can emulate?

There are no excuses, either. You are sick? Depressed? Not equipped yourself? Get over it! (You can always try laughing) You can choose to live regardless of your constraints. Even the most afflicted person can pray, and look what prayer can do! In my daily prayer life, I have been very focused on what I want God to change in my life. I have asked Him to do for me what I need... and I believe that He will, if I am asking according to His plan. (Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt 7:7) But have I forgotten that I need to ask Him what HE wants ME to do?! In case you didn't go to that post linked above, let me remind you about God's plans-- "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 future." Or, from the translation The Message, "This is God's Word on the subject: ... I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Jer 29:11)

Looking back, I realize I have let much of my life pass me by. Now, every day, I am making choices that make a difference, that build my legacy. When God shows me His plan, he is asking me to join in His work. I can do that. What are you doing?