“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears” ~ Rumi
When you read this quote by Rumi you may be thinking; “This doesn’t apply to me at all.” Typically, when you can’t see something, you may find it difficult to wrap your head around the reality of it. You may tell yourself; “Okay, and yet put it into terms that I can understand.”
Any kind of personal or professional transition in your life can be daunting. Even overwhelming. Often, you don’t know where to start. At best, you may have an idea, and yet you could find yourself asking; “Now what?”
No wonder you may be feeling this way. It starts when you’re very young. You’re expected to know at the age of 16 or 17 what you want to do with your life. You have to decide, or worse, someone decides for you. You’re thinking about whether you want to continue with your education, learn a trade, start or go into a business, or maybe take a year off before deciding anything. It’s all so confusing.
We perpetuate this as we get older by typically asking people; “What school did you go to?” What do you do for a living?” In asking these questions we are always thinking about how best to respond. My favourite response to
What we should be asking is; “What do you like to do? What excites you? What gives you energy?” If we did that then we would better understand ourselves and others. We would also be able to trust that our life would reveal what we need to know. If we listened for it.
What we should be asking is; “What do you like to do? What excites you? What gives you energy?” If we did that then we would better understand ourselves and others. We would also be able to trust that our life would reveal what we need to know. If we listened for it.
In listening for clues your energy tells you a lot about yourself. What you gravitate toward. What interests you. It doesn’t even need to be decisive. It’s finding things that keep your interest. It’s trying things out to see if you like it. IF you listened hard enough, you would discover all the things that connect you to your journey, your purpose. If, however you don’t listen and follow others or get derailed, it’s because you weren’t listening to or trusting yourself – your instincts.
If I listened to everyone who gave me their opinions as to how I should be leading my life, 90% of what I’ve done so far wouldn’t have happened. Interestingly, every time, Every. Single. Time, I did something that didn’t sit well with me, I was miserable. For example; following someone else’s goals and desires, and not my own. And yet, being miserable actually made me more grateful. I didn’t know it at the time and yet it was like I had a life detector that said; “You’re getting warmer. Nope, you’re getting colder …..” The choices I was making, good or terrible were actually helping me.
The key in life is to realize that. If you’re going through life expecting that you should know everything, stop. Or if there’s an expectation that you have for yourself, or worse, from others, then you are setting yourself up for misery. You are NOT floundering in life. You are just NOT listening to yourself. Or worse, you are afraid. Fear paralyzes you. Fear is stress shouting at you.
You have to be willing, you MUST be willing to experience life in a way where your energy dictates. This energy will show you the way. Your way. I’m trying not to sound ‘preachy’ however we all need a kick in the butt to say; “You’ve really got this.”
You have to be willing, you MUST be willing to experience life in a way where your energy dictates. This energy will show you the way. Your way. I’m trying not to sound ‘preachy’ however we all need a kick in the butt to say; “You’ve really got this.”
The “Now What?” is happening, right now. Let go, feel your energy, and stop doubting yourself. Keep trying … everything.
