Happy fall, friends! I hope wherever you are, the weather is cool not cold, the leaves are turning a lovely shade of red or yellow, and there are pumpkin spice latte’s or hot apple cider in abundance. But only, if you’re into this season the way I am. 

The first day of fall for us in Pennsylvania was sunny and comfortably in the sixties. The summer humidity lifted, and I was able to wear flannel and bake in our apartment without overheating—which made me so happy. But something that makes me even happier than fall, is whenever I see someone living out their purpose or calling in this world. 

You know these people because they’re usually excited about life. They either have a really cool job—or seem abnormally passionate about things most of us can’t understand, like engineering or accounting. Or, for some of these people, their calling lies outside of their job. When you talk with them, they are too busy to complain about the daily grind because they’d rather tell you about their volunteer work or the art they’re creating at home. To use a somewhat dated term:

They’ve found their groove.

Have you found your groove? Have you discovered the thing or things you were made to do? If not, this month’s theme on the blog is for you. As I shared on Monday, we are talking all about Calling this month. With this in mind, today I am sharing a Lead quote, to help us begin to deepen our understanding of calling. I am sharing something important I am learning about my purpose. And, because it is fall, I am sharing an easy recipe perfect for this season.

Love 

Nothing quite says fall like football, and one of the best things to eat while watching a game on a Sunday afternoon, is Chili. A favorite recipe of ours that is both delicious and simple, is this one I’ve adapted from Katrina Runs: 

Sweet Potato Chili

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes

1 onion diced

1 green pepper diced

1 jalapeño diced

3 cloves garlic

1 Tbsp chili powder

1/2 Tbsp  Cumin 

1/2 tsp Chipotle Chili powder or cayenne 

2 cups diced sweet potato

4 cups beef broth

salt/pepper to taste

Instructions:

Sauté beef with onions, pepper, garlic, and jalapeño, until it is browned and the veggies have softened. Then add tomatoes, broth, spices, and sweet potatoes. Bring to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 45 minutes until sweet potatoes are very tender. Serve.

What fall recipes are your favorite to enjoy while watching a game? 

What will you be eating a lot of this fall?

Learn 

When I was younger, I used to think that my calling would and could only ever look one way. But when the season of that one way ended, I quickly learned I didn’t have to stop being me. I could fulfill my calling in a different way. For many of us, our purpose or calling is a lot broader than we think, and in different seasons will take on new shapes. We just need to be flexible and creative with what we’ve been given. 

Do you know what your purpose is?

Have you experienced it change shape in different life seasons? 

Lead

“Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks—we will also find our path of authentic service in the world. True vocation joins self and service…”

—Parker Palmer, Let Your life Speak

We can’t successfully serve others as leaders until we’ve begun to grown into our own authentic self. 

Do you have a sense of your authentic self?

Have you been able to separate who you are from who others have told you, you ought to be? 

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