I just had one of those encounters that was meant to be. Ever had one of those? When somebody shows up and says something you know you were meant to hear?
Because we forget to listen to our own hearts . . .
The last few years have been a time of immense change for me. The change has often felt rudderless, shooting me in different directions based upon the day. I’ve reverted back to my childhood.
When I was 8 years-old, I was stuck at home for a year battling mononucleosis and food poisoning. To keep myself entertained since we only got three television channels (can you imagine?), I created my own reality show by becoming a different character every day.
One morning I would be a grocery clerk, using my parent’s adding machine for my cash register, our food in the pantry for inventory, and old grocery bags.
Other mornings I would be a business woman dressed in my mom’s clothes, carrying an old briefcase of my dad’s into the living room as I reported to work.
My favorite days were those when I would put on one of my dad’s flannel shirts and sit at my parents’ old Royal typewriter. I was a writer in a mountain cabin. I would put water in a mug and pretend that I was drinking coffee, and smoke my pen. Apparently, I thought writers were fairly unhealthy.
This imaginary approach doesn’t seem to be quite as effective now that I’m in my fifties. There’s this paper stuff called money and bills that have become a part of my life. And, since being an imaginary cashier gives me squat, I’ve tried to stick with what pays well.
So, how’s that working out for you? Well . . .
It worked for a long time, but for the past five years I have felt a general sense of dissatisfaction lurking in the shadows.
Today, at my providential lunch, my friend Nhat Pham asked me a very simple question:
What are you doing based upon fear of what others might think? And what would you do if you had the chance, simply because you love to do it?
Hence, the website . . .
I told him that this website is about something I love. I want to help bring a stronger element of soul back to business. But I am concerned that some people might think I’m crazy. Or potential clients will look at my blogs and consider me a woman who wears clothes made from wheat and sits in a field burning incense (which is probably not a good idea, by the way).
Nhat then shared this quote with me from Plutarch: Fate leads him who follows it, and drags him who resists.
Yes, I think I’ve been on a five year drag.
So, are you a follower or a total drag?
I challenge you to consider the same thing. We can’t all drop our responsibilities and become a fancy cashier like my eight year-old self wanted to do, but we can do more of what we love. What is it that you are resisting in your life? What are you doing because you’re afraid of not doing it?
Because you’re bigger and more important to this crazy world than you will ever realize. You’ve brought something with you that can change the world.
- Is it kindness?
- The ability to listen?
- The love of teaching others?
Think about it. As a participant in this Universe, I would appreciate it if you would share your gift with us. And I will try to do the same.