Who Moved the Mashed Potatoes?

Posted July 20, 2021 by Maureen Metcalf

Categories: Featured, Maureen, Popular Posts, Sister Post

One eye closed and one eye open with all eight heads bowed, I secretly inched the bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes closer to me to ensure I was the first to take the biggest scoop.

If you have read the book, “Who Moved My Cheese,” highlighting managerial insight, you may know that my managerial skills started at a young age. In a large family, with mashed potatoes at the table, my multitasking abilities kicked into gear as soon as we bowed our heads to pray. Clearly, I had not yet read the book, “Leaders Eat Last.”

I am Maureen, the third of six girls, and often pegged as a natural born leader. As the middle child in a larger family, I found myself somewhere in between feeling deprived and, on the flip side, entitled. I made sure I was taken care of. But I also felt keenly protective of my sisters. I had permission to torment them, but if anyone else did, watch out! I was bold and fierce.

Letting Go Of Control

As I have grown older and experienced life challenges, I have learned what is in my control and what isn’t. Letting go has given me freedom as I have deepened my faith and learned to trust amid uncertainty.

Honestly assessing what is in my control, and remaining hopeful, or letting go what is not, has brought more peace. I am not sure if this freeing feeling simply comes with age and practice or realizing how exhausting ruminating and fixating on things are. 

I have learned to ask myself if my circumstance is something I can control.  If it is something I can provide solutions for, great! If not, then be okay with that too. Less stress, less headache.

Easy? Never, but I believe once we realize trying to control what we cannot is stealing our joy, we work harder to protect our peace. I seek peace often in my lack of understanding;. As long as I hang onto hope, anything feels possible. 

Once we realize trying to control what we cannot is stealing our joy, we work harder to protect our peace.



Using My God-given Tendencies For Good

I can’t say I’m proud of always wanting the first scoop of potatoes as a child, or the ways I chose to fight in those growing up years, yet I’ve learned along the way to use those bold, God-given tendencies for beauty and good. Over the years, my protective personality has allowed me to be a voice for the voiceless, an encourager for the weary, and a fighter for the defenseless, as the director of Legacy Pregnancy Center. www.legacypregnancy.org

Like you, I do not have it all together. I am a work in progress. But with the hope of Christ, we can overcome the obstacles of this life and celebrate how far we have come. 

Over the years, my protective personality has allowed me to be a voice for the voiceless, an encourager for the weary, and a fighter for the defenseless.

I love this quote from, “Who Moved My Cheese.”

“When you move beyond your fear, you feel more free.” Let’s move in freedom together.” Dr. Spencer Johnson

I am excited to embark on this new writing adventure with three of my five sisters. I hope when you leave our site you feel inspired to dig deeper, believe bigger, and hope stronger, as we seek to live out our purpose together.