I was talking with a friend today, telling him about how confusing life can be and how I don't know which direction I want to take my life in. It was then when I was talking to him that I realized it might not be a bad thing not knowing where I am going. I have tried the college thing, and sitting in an office thing. I have had many careers in my life, and each and everyone of them I didn't actually enjoy. There were some that I like more than others, there were some that definitely paid more than the one before. But, where was my happiness, enjoyment, fulfillment and passion? It wasn't too be had in any of the things I have done. Since I started writing again, I have found a peace and contentment that I haven't felt before. I feel a connection to each and everyone of my readers, and a sense of fulfillment I have never felt before.
This year I learned what passion is about, it is about doing the things that we love, what makes us feel content and happy doing. I love people, all kinds of people, I love talking, and I love helping out where and when I can. This is why I write my blog, it brings me a joy and a peace that I can only describe to you. So what new direction do I see myself going in? Is the path that I am on going to lead me to the right place? I don't know the answers to those things, but here is what I do know. I know that I love talking to people, doing things for them, and being around them. I am happiest in a crowd and yet alone. I don't know if that makes any sense to you, but it does to me. I feed off the energy of those around me, their excitement, their passions, and their needs.
Some of you are aware that I am going back to school to learn cosmetology, something that I am pretty sure I will be good out, I seem to have a real artistic flair not only with writing, but drawing as well. I have found that I am very good with my hands, and have pretty good dexterity which will come in handy trying to style and cut peoples hair. I also have a mind that is constantly full of ideas and designs, so maybe I will take my career further and become a hair designer, or start doing hair shows and competitions. I guess it just depends on what happens. I leave so much of my life up for grabs, because when I try to plan out things and work toward those plans, everything falls apart. I am more of a fly by the seat of my pants kind of guy. It has worked for me pretty much so far, and I can't complain about the things I have done or the accomplishments I have made.
But, while talking to my friend I realized that having goals and dreams are but resting points along the way of life's journey. Because once we reach those goals and get them behind us we have to make new ones or grow stagnant. The important thing is not the goals, but how we got there, the obstacles we have overcome the hurtles we have jumped and the accomplishments we have made along the way. Another thought jumped in my head as I was talking about this. There have been times in my life where I have set goals, or milestones and never reached them. I looked back from where I was at resting, and was disappointed because I had other plans, other goals, and other aspirations that just didn't get fulfilled. But, when I looked closely at where I was at, I discovered something. God had brought me to the exact place, in the exact moment that I needed to be there, so that I could learn a lesson, endure a hardship or receive a reward. So, in the long run, I hadn't failed, I just hadn't quite got to my destination yet. I needed training and instruction along the way, which is exactly what I got. Because the lessons I learned at each point in my life were important and something that I carried forward and still use today.
I also understand why some people now have trouble making up their mind and sticking to a decision. See there is a thing called fear, that will stop us in our tracks, it will paralyze us and keep us from trying. It is something that can be detrimental to our journey if we let it. Sometimes, our own past, and our rationale stop us from trying. We over analyze our situation, we try to comprehend and make everything make perfect sense, and when we can't we are held in a single spot. How can you ever get anywhere if you have to understand it perfectly, you can't. Don't let your own mind or fear hold you back from trying and experiencing something new. Sometimes you got put yourself out there and take a leap of faith, either it is going to be worth it or it isn't. If it turns out to not be what your expecting or if your aren't 100 percent comfortable, it might be time for regrouping, reevaluating and moving on. You have to do for you. No one else is going to be able to do it for you. Remember that happiness and contentment are found within yourself, not outside of yourself.
While I was talking to my friend I started explaining to him how I make my choices. I explained to him that I do a risk assessment of each situation. Believe it or not it is something I learned in business school and it is something that I apply to my daily life and living each and every day. Who said that you can't learn something practical and useful in the business world? Anyhow, I talk about this extensively in my blog entry on Mitigating your Risks, but I want to go back over it briefly here. Because I think it is important for you to understand, that if you weigh the benefits and the risks, and you find the benefits outweigh the risks than that is the option I would take. But before I go off on that I do risk mitigation, which is an important part for setting yourself up for success. See you look at each of the risks that you have identified and you see what you can do to lessen them or eliminate them totally. When you do that you have a sound game plan that is ready for execution, and your investment of time, energy, money and emotions should get a strong return.
So what am I actually trying to tell you? I am trying to tell you that sometimes you just have to step out there and just do something, that you don't necessarily have to know the direction or path to take, you just have to trust that you can take care of yourself and that you can make it. Let me try and give you an example of what I mean. I have a friend that is trying to decide where he wants to relocate to. He has several choices and options that are open to him. He can come to Florida, go to Atlanta, he can stay where he is, or he can go to New York or other places. Everyday he over analyzes and thinks about the situation, and every day it is a different choice, he is stuck in a state of confusion and indecision. He needs to honestly think about it very topically, see where his best options lie and go for where the best return of his efforts are going to get him. Or he can step out and accept the hand of friendship and take a leap of faith, start over fresh. If that doesn't work out for him he can then change his options and try something new or different. See, in his case he is so intent on the analysis of the risks and benefits, that he can't get past it, he can't comprehend all of the risks involved because he is over analyzing and making the decision harder. He is also holding back because he is afraid, he was hurt the last time he made a decision and it didn't turn out well, now he is afraid that will happen all over again. This my friends is what fear does, it paralyzes you and won't give your brain time or energy to actually view the problem logically and come up with a proper solution. Also that fear is keeping him from truly understanding all the risks involved in the decision making process.
You have to let go of the past, accept the mistakes that were made in it, in order to move on. You have to let go of the fear that is holding you back and you have to make a decision. As long as you have a support network and a fall back plan what is it going to hurt you to just make a move. Remember that no matter what you are moving again on the path, you can always change directions, gears or plans, but if you are standing still not moving you are not really living.
Let me know if this helps any of you. I know that I know now that no matter what I decide or the direction I take that I am assured that I will be at the right place, at just the right time, and I will continue to learn the lessons that I am meant to learn. I may have to adjust my goals, priorities and desires, but guess what it will all be worth it in the end.
As always my hopes and dreams are with you,
Uncle B
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