"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the best choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart" - Steve Jobs
Sometimes, a redirection puts you in the right direction. If you are getting the same disappointing results whether you stay in a relationship with someone who doesn't treat you right or you find yourself going from job to job that contributes to the same unfulfilled career void. Newsflash - you have full responsibility of your next steps - you ALWAYS have the choice to change your direction.
It may take some people minutes or decades to be able (or possibly never!) to have the courage to turn off the comfortable path they have been leading to find another adventure that turns their world upside down. The bottom line is you have a choice - you are the creator of your experience on this earth. I know that my life path has taken many turns and but I have always followed the same route. The safe route, one that I have been comfortable taking all of my life. One of the biggest fears that has held me back is the fear of failure. What if I do not succeed? What if I make a mistake? What will my family think of me? Not only a fear of failure... but a fear of success. Who am I to deserve success? Who am I to think that I can achieve my big dreams?
As a people pleaser, I am always making sure others are taken care of before myself. Caring too much about how others saw me or felt about my actions. Always seeking others opinions of what I should do or how I should act. Never truly listening to myself. This includes relationship situations, work situations and life in general. Life has a sneaky way of creating signals to push you to the right path almost forcing you to see another way. From experience - if you don't listen they will come back screaming. These signals are there to condition you to see these as beacons of light guiding you to the right path if you are willing to see them.
This year, I have really taken the time to connect with myself, finding out who I really am, what are my likes and how I see myself in this world. Tapping in to my passions and goals and changing my perspective on what is possible. Learning to fight through fear and judgement that not all my actions are going to be in the favour of others. What I have learned is that I know I am here for a purpose and I want to share that purpose with other people.
This year has been a journey in itself. Making the decision to take a risk to follow your heart and passions is not something everyone has the courage to do. While I place no judgement on anyone's life choices but I am grateful everyday for my drive, passion and initiative to see what else is possible. What if you could do everything in life that you have dreamed about? What if your passions became a reality?
Your journey should always leave you with a sense of excitement for the unknown and happiness and gratitude for what is. Nothing is life is ever set in stone - you do not have to stay in an unhealthy marriage or a job that does not give you the joy that it should. It's your life and you only have one so make the best of your strengths and listen to your gut. You never know where that road will lead you on your journey.
xo. Erin