Hats

“Hats have power. Hats can change you into someone else.” —Catherynne M. Valente

It was at least three forevers ago. My favorite hat was a beautiful, white felt Charlie 1 Horse with a thin pink and silver band. Simple. Understated. Just a touch of bling. I wore it to my favorite line dancing hidey holes. The pile of baseball caps hasn’t moved much in a few years. The team they represent hasn’t done much either. Topping the pile is a newer, patriotic hat I thought I’d wear more often. The winter hats are ready for the coming season. They wait expectantly next to wine-colored fingerless gloves and a charcoal gray scarf.

I almost breezed past the hats this morning, and then I was reminded of styles and seasons, iterations of me over my adult life. I was fascinated. Once upon a time I lived in freshly pressed button-down shirts, dark jeans, one of many oversized belt buckles, and smooth-soled leather boots on Friday nights. Another me was most comfortable in a tee-shirt, stonewashed denim jeans, and tennies. Professional me went to the office in a business suit and heels for a few months before Corporate shifted to business casual. Mommy me worked hard every day in PJs and comfy clothes. Homeschooling me wore the same clothes but fought to be the full-fledged, honored teacher I’d always hoped to be in college.

This walk down Memory Lane begs a question—which hats have you worn, and which hat are you wearing now?

My current season boasts the adventure of stepping into the right role for me. Call it a “job search,” if you want; I prefer to call it the spiritual adventure of a lifetime. Okay, I know most people put the search in the “serious” category over the spiritual one. And honestly, I know work isn’t generally a “lifetime” thing. It’s the vehicle that is a pleasure to drive until it’s time for a change. The driver—me, with all my gifts, preferences, and skills—will grow and develop. My calling may not change drastically. The vehicle often does.

I’m taking time for a little self-examination, and you might enjoy a process like this.

For me, the writer hat has been shelved for too long. I gently pop it on privately to journal each day. When a reader finds my words online, I’m thankful. I wonder if it’s self-indulgent to spend time writing when this season calls for something more “serious” with compensation. This is, by far, the biggest area for growth in my professional mindset. I wrote for others (and still do!), but the eyes that fell on my pages years ago are likely on to something new and vibrant. Inactivity is a little death every day.

Writer, how are you? Are you grinding? Are you quietly practicing the beautiful discipline of creativity in solitude? How do the words “blessed time of obscurity” feel to you right now? I’m curious, and I honestly want to know. I remember when a few of us sat together during the “Hey, Writer!” series. That was a sweet season.

The proofreader/editor hat has been my go-to in business. Books, dissertations, professional communications, studies and curricula, web content—I’ve had the honor of doing a little of everything.

Editor, I see you! How are you doing with others’ work? Is it the honor you dreamed it would be? Are you still completely psyched to help a writer present their very best copy or manuscript? Do you love the work? Do you love your clients?

The newest of my hats is my fave. I have the privilege of sitting with clients in the role of biblical counselor on a volunteer basis with my church. After over 200 hours of training, I don’t have fancy letters after my name. I’m not a therapist, and I make sure that’s clear from the start. I’m a trained (soon to be dual-certified) professional in a life coaching role. I’m a Freedom Coach with Freedom Movement, and I’ll be a certified Biblical Counselor through ABC. For those who wish to take a biblical approach to healing from hard places, I’m often a great fit.

Friend, what’s that thing you do, your favorite hat, the one you haven’t gone “official” or “public” or “professional” with yet? I’m really curious to know who’s dreaming big dreams in blessed obscurity. I know you’re out there. I see you. Can we lovingly support one another on the journey?

Today I’m thinking about hats. Powerful hats. The hat is a symbol of who we’ve been, who we are, and who we want to be. What do you think—do we become a different person when we put on a different hat? Maybe it’s that various, unique-to-us facets receive light, come together in a new way, and shine a little brighter.

Tell me about your hats. What are you wearing? What do you most passionately want to wear?