If we allow responsibilities to stifle our passions, we could find ourselves feeling weighed down, resentful, frustrated or depressed. We might even give up on our dreams altogether and that's just heartbreaking!
When did we start believing that our joy should take the backseat to our obligations? I've realized that we are so much healthier and happier when we build an impassioned lifestyle FIRST, then only take on responsibilities that fit comfortably within it. Agreeing to things we really don't want to do, or feeling obligated to do something when our heart is not really in it, can suck the joy right out of our lives. Of course, our perception plays a huge role in all this. How we view our tasks can be as 'labors of love' and service, or as grueling duties we must endure.
Another thing worth mentioning is that many of us feel stuck in a job or career that we no longer even like, believing we have no choice in the matter, because we need the money, the 401K, the benefits. But the truth is, we can find or create fulfilling work that has us jumping out of bed each morning, excited to begin our day. Sure, it can feel scary to step out of our normal routine and into something brand new, yet we CAN do it. It's simply a matter of how bad we want it.
I firmly hold the notion, that if we truly love our work, money will naturally follow. Then, like Confucius said,
we'll never work a day in our life,because it will all feel like exhilarating play. I don't know about you, but that's the kind of existence I wanna have.
There is always a way to live the life we desire. If the way hasn't shown itself yet, that doesn't mean there isn't one. Perhaps certain beliefs or fears are holding us hostage and preventing us from seeing our potential and options. If our work is no longer rewarding, we're living a huge chunk of our day in mediocrity. We can begin changing all that, by reexamining our priorities and asking ourselves:
- What are the top 5 things I care about most? What would I sacrifice them for?
- What is stopping me from living the life I dream about?
- Do I often feel resentful, frustrated, stressed out? Why?
- Where am I saying
yes,
when I really want to sayno?
- Am I unmotivated or fearful? Why?
- Do I truly love my work?
- Am I settling? Why?
- What do I really want?
We must get to the heart of the matter and uncover the beliefs that keep us stuck in a life we endure rather than enjoy. I say this all with compassionate, newfound understanding. Like I've mentioned before, it wasn't easy to step out of my comfort zone recently and into a COMPLETELY different line-of-work. Do you want to know what the biggest hurdle was? Believing I was smart enough. The tech world was intimidating and completely outside my wheelhouse, or so I thought. Yep, our limiting beliefs are usually the main culprits that hold us back, but we always have the power to change them, thus our lives.
Go on, create your happy!
You're so darn amazing!