---
title: The One Thing
description: Sometimes we seek change, sometimes it sneaks up on us--but this time Deanna Bartalini sees it as her response to God and finding his will for her life in a new way.
---

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# The One Thing

May 21, 2015 3:00:16 PM  |  by [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini)

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My life is changing ever so slowly and way too quickly at the same time. I have made a decision to shift my focus from full-time parish work to part-time so I can strike out in a new direction. Why? Because I do not believe I am fully living out God’s will for my life. Sometimes when I say this to others, there is almost a rush of words said along the lines of, “Don’t be so hard on yourself; you do a great job; don’t stress” and so forth. Those words are not helpful because they don’t apply.

I desire to do God’s will because of the great love I have for him and tremendous gratitude. He has given me everything! And while I know he is not looking to be repaid in a quid pro quo manner, my desire is to give him my all. I have a few quotes around my desk that remind me what we are capable of when we seek his will.

“Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  (Matthew 5:48)

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”  (Catherine of Siena)

“To be a saint is to will the one thing.”  (Soren Kierkegaard)

I am energized about this change yet there is some trepidation as well about this new road I am taking. I’m not quite sure where it will lead, but I’m moving forward.

**If you have any tips on how to navigate change, please tell us!**

*Copyright 2015, Deanna Bartalini  
 Graphic created in Canva by D. Bartalini. All rights reserved.*

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#### About the Author

![Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Deanna%20Bartalini%202025-1.png)

### [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini)

Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed., M.P.A. is a certified spiritual director, retreat leader, speaker, and writer with decades of experience serving the Church. She is the founder of [LiveNotLukewarm.com](https://LiveNotLukewarm.com), works on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Passionist Spiritual Center, and is an Unbound prayer minister. Deanna writes from her experiences of over 40 years of marriage, children and grandchildren.

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