I know...I know... I know... You are probably thinking, I don't do this. I live my life now. I have so much going on this week, how could the past possibly have anything to do with my life now? I am over this or that childhood issue. Every time a thought comes up around a person or situation from the past that I don't want to think about, I just redirect. Focus on something else. Anything else. See.. I have it all handled! I'm over it.
How I Went From "I missed my calling" to "I am my calling"
Hello? This is your intuition calling...(is anybody there?)
I write this tongue-in-cheek and with a healthy dose of reality. I'm sure many of you can relate to times that you are heightened to your inner feelings, gut- reactions and instincts. These typically come in the form of knowing about a situation before it happens and/or knowing what your true creative talents are that need to be brought forth in the world. You can feel this guidance, but perhaps you don't trust it? Or, you can barely hear it anymore and wouldn't know what to do if you did listen. So, you ignore the ringer and don't pick up. Sound familiar?
Beware Creative Snipers!
What is a creative sniper you ask? These are well meaning people, often close family and friends, that literally and figuratively "shoot down" your creative ideas. We don't even know what hit us. You know the feeling. You have a great inspiration for an upstart business, painting, novel, song, etc... and you can't wait to share this exciting idea with those who are close to you. They'll be so excited. Surely they'll see what I see, you tell yourself. They'll feel what I feel. They'll want to know more about this and support me with it. Right? Wrong!
Preparing for Lift Off!
One of the most common excuses or complaints I hear around the concept of following dreams is not having what it takes. Whatever "it" is? We all have dreams and visions of creating something tangible from our imaginations. Thinking about sharing this with others and enjoying the fruits of our labors is intoxicating. Exciting. We can easily envision ourselves living a full and thriving life. Laughing. Exploring. Spending time with friends and loved ones. Working passionately in our chosen vocation. And overall living life on our terms.
Put on your What's Going Right glasses...
Recently, I was listening to a wonderful podcast. The host was mentioning that most of us have a habit of looking through lenses of What's going wrong instead of changing to the much more uplifting and empowering What's going right glasses. At first I didn't think too much about this, however, as the show went on and callers phoned in the discussions became very intriguing. It became crystal clear this is a major issue most people struggle with in their lives.
If Not You, Then Who?
Are you familiar with this question and its equally important follow up question? If not you, then who? If not now, then when? It seems that when I've heard these two profoundly insightful questions it was at a time when I had been pondering my dreamed of future. However, my ego or small self did not believe it could be me that lives dreams realized and certainly not now. Can you relate to this type of thinking?
Who Am I (to be great?...to shine?)
Most of us, when asked, what we really want to do have a list of reasons we can't do it. Resistance is strong. Powerful. "Safe" jobs or careers overwhelmingly take precedence over creative, inspiring vocations that come from our heart. In our culture, there is a strong belief that a career in the creative arts should be relegated to a hobby--at best. Careers that focus on benefits, money and security are pushed hard by parents and schools. I find this interesting because undoubtedly you could find many, many examples of people doing exactly what you really want to do. And, making a great living at it as well. So, the big question is: why do we pass it off as good luck, timing or divine lining up of the stars for others? Why do we not factor ourselves into the equation?
Motivation vs. Inspiration...is there a difference?
A biographer of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart retells a story given to him directly from Mozart. A would-be student came to Mozart one day and said that he wanted help writing symphony's. To this Mozart asked if he'd written any yet. This would-be student said no. Mozart goes on to say that since the student was young yet it would be good to start with minuets. The student, pressing Mozart, says.. No. You don't understand. I want help with writing symphony's, not minuets.