I’m not talking about your diet here, but rather, when do you know you’re on the correct path in your life, or as we acupuncturists call it, “walking your tao?” Maybe you’ve never even thought about whether or not you are doing what you were put on this planet to do. Does your life bring you meaning? Are you excited about what you do every day? Are there dreams put on hold for “one day” or “if only I had [fill in the blank…usually “more time” or “more money”]/didn’t have [fill in the blank…”kids” or “mortgage payments” or “responsibilities to…”]?
Today I ask you to really consider what it is that brings you excitement and joy. If it is not what you are currently doing, then what would allow you to pursue that dream more fully? What is standing in your way? What could you do to be able to pursue your dreams sooner? Often, there is a lot of fear surrounding making a big change. Maybe you’ve always wanted to leave your corporate career to pursue massage therapy. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to live in Bali. Maybe a life on the stage performing on Broadway or singing music to big crowds is your dream. You think, “I’m too old to pursue a singing career,” or “I can’t move anywhere, the kids are still in school,” or “I’d be broke if I left my job.” These are all self-sabotaging thoughts, and all made from a place of fear.
I’ll tell you something that might upset you. The main thing holding you back from pursuing your dream is YOU. Are you ok if you never actualize your dreams before you die? If not, continue reading.
You want to know how to make your dreams become reality? Sure, there is something to be said for the Law of Attraction/The Secret type thinking, and I think that’s a part of it, AND the other part is straight up hard work and planning. Being relentless and knowing that you are worth it, and not stopping until you’ve done your absolute best. Crap…hard work? Yeah. Look, you can sit around and wish all you want, and maybe the Universe or God will plop it in your lap, but most likely not. Someone once told me that God opens the doors, and you have to choose to walk through them, and I like that idea. The wish can be the door opening, however you have to do the work to get through that door, and know which one is the one you want to go through.
So to illustrate all this, I’ll use myself as an example. Years ago I had this dream of writing a book about eating mindfully and such. I decided that I didn’t have time to write it and similar things were out there. It went on the back burner of “someday.” It wasn’t until this past February/March when I had the idea of turning that book into a cleanse (and eventually I plan on turning it into a book), and honestly, I kid you not…everything just flowed out of me. I don’t even know how the manuals got written…they just poured out from God/The Universe through me and onto my computer. Everything was effortless because I was in the flow of the universe and I was listening. I knew it was what I was put on this planet to transmit to others. Did I immediately want to drop my scientist job and just pursue that, plus my acupuncture that I’d been doing on the side for the few months before that? Sure…but I knew I had to put the work in before I could leave. We have to be realistic but also work towards our goals. So I did everything on the side, and eventually due to our tax return, I realized I had 2 months’ salary in savings, and so I ran all the numbers. I found that I could leave my job as a scientist and make that leap. So I did. I still don’t quite know how it will end up, but I leapt and to me, I know I did everything I could to make it work. Every day I am advertising or making connections or writing or treating patients or teaching yoga classes and busting my butt to live the dream. As I focus and decide on what I want from the Universe or God, I am able to make my requests or wishes, and when all is in the flow, these things are delivered. What does not serve me is cast aside or is sent aside.
There is not a time to just sit around and wait for your dreams to manifest. You have to plan and figure out a way to make it happen. If it requires money, then start putting aside money every week or two weeks or month into savings, and start doing small things to actualize your dream on the side. Let’s say it’s singing, since we used that as an example earlier. Start practicing, or put up a craigslist ad to find a band (or see if someone is already looking for a singer!), and then once you’ve gelled with your group or if you’re doing solo work and you feel like you’ve got a few good songs, then book an open mic night, or other gigs. Start smaller and expand until you feel comfortable enough to aim bigger. That way you’re already doing what you love on the side, and you’re saving up for when you can make the leap to maybe record a demo, hire a producer, or go on tour.
So be relentless pursuing your dreams. Otherwise you can’t say you tried your best and then you may regret not doing more to make them happen. Even if you go out there and you don’t “make it,” then you can at least say you gave it all you had. That, my friends, is already winning and being the best you can be. So dream big and make it happen…
A big dreamer,
Jen
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