One of life’s great mysteries is the reason for it all. We are taught at an early age that we can be anything we want to be, yet the reality is we are often limited by our circumstances. Parents, well meaning though they may be, impose their own ideas and goals on their children to ensure that they have a happy and financially secure future. We grow up having set a direction that conforms to these ideas and goals. It is deeply ingrained in us, and very hard to ignore. However, we are different people from our parents, the paths they chose may not be the right one for us.
What is success, after all? It depends on your goals. Do you want to have lots of money? Do you want to be famous? Do you want to have children? It is likely you want all of these things, yet having them does not guarantee happiness. Many people have attained the “ideal” life and still feel empty inside.
American psychologist Carl Rogers said, “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” We all have a unique direction in life. The trick is to find the right one.
How do you find your unique direction in life?
Be still
“Be still. Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity”― Lao Tzu
We all get caught up in the business of life, but with all that noise and confusion, you can get lost. You need to give yourself the opportunity to draw back. Be still, turn off the television, shut down your computer and mobile phone, lock the door, and turn off the lights. Don’t think about anything. Just let your mind and spirit wander, and listen to whatever comes. It isn’t as easy as it sounds; it takes practice. Do this for an hour at least every week.
Be attentive
“Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.” – John Barrymore
Nobody is or should be happy all the time. After all, if you were happy all the time, how would you know you’re happy? Happiness is usually comprised of fleeting moments, and you need to find out whenever this happens. Take note of the sources of your happiness. It may be as simple as a steaming cup of coffee, or watching your favorite television show. Meditate on these things and ask yourself why they make you happy. If you suspect that simple things make you happy, you are very lucky, because it means you are going in the right direction.
Be ready
“The thing is most people are afraid to step out, to take a chance beyond their established identity.” – Demi Moore
When the time comes that you get a glimmering of what your unique direction in life is, be ready to act on it. Explore it, taste it, try it out. The first will not always be the right one, but you will not know until you take action. It is better to take a chance and fail, then not making any step at all in any direction. That is true failure.
You can only tap the power of your unique direction in life if you know what it is. Once you find the right path, then you can move mountains. It may even be literally, who knows?
–
Miriam Jumalon
0 comments