“I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The
problem is that I can’t find anybody who can tell me what they want.” -- Mark Twain
Here's a tip: Learn to live authentically. Be you!
Get to know yourself! What do you want? What do you like? What makes you feel alive? What rings your bell, so to speak?
It's amazing how many people CANNOT answer those questions off the cuff
because they have spent their ENTIRE LIVES doing what they thought they
"were supposed to" or "should do". We were taught from childhood to
put other people before ourselves. That we shouldn't be "selfish". As a
result, we've lost touch with who we really are. We don't even trust
ourselves half the time. We pay more attention to the advice of other
people instead of our own intuition.
How screwy IS THAT? Who could possibly know you better than, well...YOU???
In addition to figuring out what feels best, let's make peace with the
fact that we are meant to evolve. We are not "static". What worked for
us last week, last month or last year just might not do it for us today
or tomorrow.
For example...
I have been a "runner"
for about 10 years now. It's obviously been a HUGE part of my life (it's the 4th "R" in my blog title, after all). Here's a shocking statement: I haven't run a step for the past week. Am I
sick? No. Injured? No. Too busy, maybe? Uh Uh. I spent the whole
morning and early part of the afternoon in my pj's, for Pete's Sake.
And it's a beautiful day here in New England. I can't even use inclement
weather as an excuse.
It's just not "ringing my bell" right
now. The thought of it doesn't feel good. I'd rather go for long
walks, sit in contemplation/meditation, engage in yoga or do body weight
strength training exercises like push ups, planks and lunges. That's
what feels best right now. That's what I want to do.
So, I'm
doing it. No guilt, no shame, no regret. Yes, I have been known and
defined as a "runner" by many people. They think of running and they
think of me. But, that's not all of me. That's only a fragment of who I
am. I don't lose myself because I cease to engage in an activity. I'm
still me.
Maybe I'll get the desire to run again. And maybe I
won't. Truly, it doesn't matter. What DOES matter is that I'm paying
attention to and doing what feels best.
May I suggest that you consider doing the same?
But, only if it feels best.
Don't just take my word for it. :-)
“You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you
will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.” -- Jerry Gillies
