C-H-A-N-G-E. What a dreaded word, huh? Some people try and prevent it more than planning for it, or choose to ignore it completely. Does hiding in the closet seem more appealing to you than stepping out into the light? It is true that the need to change suddenly arises out of nowhere, just as you have begun to feel safe and comfortable – then the sound of change becomes apparent at your doorstep.
Wiser people prepare for it and bravely face change. They accept the truth that change is simply inevitable. Ready or not, sooner or later everything evolves. Children grow up, and so do adults. Age multiplies. Jobs and people come and go. Relationships advance into different paths. You change, too; you might just be too busy or distracted to notice it.
The answer here is to be conscious. Your capability, duties, and power to change can actually get you to places you’ve only seen in your wildest dreams, and out of inconvenient or agonizing conditions that you thought were permanent.
Most people are tough and adaptive beings. With all our might, we are able to endure a fair amount of distressing incidents and still rise to accomplish our goals, so it’s not advisable to thrash your achievements each time something new and shiny appears.
Change only for the better, not to follow the latest trends and fashions.
How will you determine when it’s a time for change? When the queasy feeling of changing is offset by the pain of staying still, you have to evaluate the situation clearly, without a hint of blame or shame.
Life is considered to be the greatest thing that happened to all of us. Most of us are occupied and pre-occupied with our own lives. We don’t have that much time nor feel the need to be immersed in our society and environment that we live in. The world is influenced by a few good people who have really known the path to achieve an abundant life.
One of the most fundamental key I found in reference to the abundant life is to enjoy the season that you are living in. Rain or shine; hot or snowy, get out of the house and walk in your world. You may live in the quiet country or in a bustling city, it matters not. Get out and walk.
Taking a short walk every day, while it is great exercise for the body, it can be even more beneficial for your attitude.
Whether you live in a natural setting, that is where there are open fields or trees, rabbits or robins, really does not matter. You can even find inspiration walking along a busy avenue of shoppers and street vendors. The idea here is to soak up as much of your environment as possible by observing every little detail.
Look at everything.
In the country, what do you see, hear, and smell? Is there summer greenery or the sun sparkling off mounds of snow? What smells are in the air? Do you smell flowers, grass, corn stalks growing or a wood burning fireplace?
What sounds do you hear? Do you feel the wind, hear birds calling to each other, hear the hooves of horses as they trot through the pasture, and listen to the crunch of snow beneath your feet?
In the city, what is around you? Do you notice that Deli you never noticed before? Go inside. Smell the myriad of odors from the various meats and cheeses and from the special breads. Ask the deli clerk about some of them. What are they? How do they taste?
Are they tart, bitter, sweet, salty? Buy a sampling and surprise your taste buds! On the street, notice the signs, billboards, window displays. What do they say or sell?
Notice the people walking along. Are they in a hurry? Are they just strolling along like you? Are there couples holding hands? Is this a mother strolling with her baby? Or is there an elderly gentleman sitting alone at a sidewalk cafe’?
These are all signs, country or city, of the abundant world you are a part of that is yours to enjoy as part of your life’s experience.
Seeking out passion starts with realizing who you are, and NOT what you are. It should be an inward search that will lead you to understanding your maximum potential. While it takes guts to swing from the external world to your internal world, it is the most vital and simplest of all methods. This brings about two simple questions: Who am I? and Why am I here?
In order to recognize your passions, you need to carefully evaluate your strengths and capabilities since your inner power is largely connected to your purpose. For example, if you are an excellent cook, it’s most likely that your life purpose is linked to cooking.
Take me as an example. I am a Lifestyle Business Coach because I believe that my passion is to empower and inspire people and help them transform their dreams to reality. My personal mission statement is: “To empower myself and others to live more clearly, simply, and fully.” A specific sentence like this one is a good starting point, and can help you concentrate on what you truly love and stand for.
Truly inspiring, your passion is that fire burning inside you waiting to be unleashed, which drives you in the direction of ultimate bliss. Listen to what your heart tells you. It may be a hobby or a skill that you have and definitely love to do. You’re so keen on it that you’re in no way anticipating anything in return.
You’re even willing to make some necessary sacrifices to achieve your passion, your goal, your life purpose.
Unfortunately, a large amount of people in this world live a life without any passion or purpose at all. Most of them are even oblivious to who they really are, and their greatest capabilities. In most scenarios, however, you can instinctively find your passion if you make an effort to discern it. And when you do, it becomes almost a breakthrough of some sort, giving you that much-awaited “AHA” moment.
Once found, you should cultivate your passions so that you can use them to your advantage. Modify and redefine whenever applicable. You may revise your passions, missions, and goals if the previous ones are not working suitably.
“Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.”- Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Have and demonstrate passion. If you can’t name one thing you are passionate about, be it golfing, gardening, music, skate boarding… anything….then you have a problem.”- Brad Montgomery, Speaker
“It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day basis.”- Margaret Bonnano
“Stupidity got us into this mess – then why can’t it get us out?”- Will Rogers
“A hippie is someone who looks like Tarzan, walks like Jane, and smells like Cheetah.”- Ronald Reagan
