Life is the adventure you’re experiencing right now. Even if you’re up in age you might feel like you’re not doing what you really feel is satisfying. We often fall into the trap of following the tide and not looking at the unique things we can do in life. It’s tragic to see that years go by and then suddenly someone feels like they’ve missed out in life, that they missed their calling. It’s a hard revelation to face but if you’re not following your real heart’s desire you will run into that wall that becomes a harsh wake up call and you find yourself in the depths of regret and despair. Things need not be so cold and taking a look at yourself to see what your true life’s calling is can wake you up and get you moving on the right road in life.
1.) Look at you
That’s right, take a long look at yourself from the outside in. It’s difficult to do for some people. Looking at yourself objectively and not being critical and harsh is a real challenge for some but once you get the hang of it. If you stand around criticizing others for the way they look, dress, behave, then you’re actually doing the same thing to yourself and you’ll never allow yourself to pursue those things that are really important to you. You end up blocking your view of your true emotions and purposes. Don’t look at yourself and say you’re too fat or too skinny, too old, or whatever. Look at yourself and be honest, are you a real friend to you? Don’t blame other people, just take responsibility for where you have been and are at now. It’s you who makes your decisions and stating that someone else made you angry or altered your life for the worse is just nonsense. Realize you’re human and make great decisions and bad ones. It all starts with you first.
2.) Make a list of what makes you happy
This step is very dangerous. The reason being is that oen of the biggest mistakes we make is making other people happy. Far too often people choose careers, music, fashion based on the critical nature and comments of others. In early childhood our decisions are developed by by both ourselves and our family, culture, society. We then lose sight of what really matters to us. That can throw a person way off course and end up in a lifetime of never really satisfying oneself. Your list of what makes you happy should start with your earliest memories. Sometimes ask your parents, friends what you used to like to do but stopped. If possible, read through old notebooks, computer files, and check out your school grades. There’s a big footprint there that shows what you’re competent in, are interested in, and excel in. Prioritize the list and if you find something surprising that you’ve forgotten about, study up on it again. You’ll break through that barrier and get a good map of what you really are and really like.
3.) Meditate and interview yourself
Yes, take some time alone and interview yourself. Write down a list of questions and ask them of yourself orally or mentally. See what answers come back. If you hear a voice that is a family member’s or a friend’s you’re not on your own playing field. You’ll know the real you when it shows up. Follow that and write down the answers and feelings. Don’t be critical or harsh to yourself as that won’t do anyone any good.
4.) Interview your family and friends
This can be a risky one. To ask family and long term friends about what they feel you should have been doing or used to do. The pushy ones who convinced you to follow another path will find no problems but the honest and sincere will remind you of the times you used to do something that was special like being able to care for animals or fix machines or draw and paint. Sooner or later a picture of who you really are will emerge and you can prep yourself to change course in your life to the right direction.
5.) Collect all that personal information
Now comes the time to collect all the information you’ve gathered. This is where the true test comes from. You’ll need to look at all the information and then start putting together a guideline of your qualities, not faults and those moments of inspiration, divine or just simple bolt of awareness and see if you see that real you inside. Sometimes it can be tough to admit that as a kid you were brilliant at sports because somewhere along the line someone told you otherwise or you got injured and gave up. If you were good at it then, you’re good at it now and all you need is practice, study, and staying away from the naysayers.
6.) Go into action
This is the final test. Your true calling won’t show up knocking at the door like a pizza delivery man. Your true calling means you have to recognize your value to yourself and the world in general. Whether you’re a professional plumber and realize you’re a real good teacher or astronomer or even musician. Whatever your true calling is, you’ll know because it will bring you and others joy. You’re going to have to get on your feet after making some decisions and then go forward. No kidding around but a personal pursuit that will make you happy once and for all. It doesn’t mean quitting your day job or putting your financial interests at risk, it’s about now doing what you love regardless of what others say and making it work.
7.) Finally
It’s all about you looking out for you and constructing and guiding yourself through life not at the tether and harness of someone else or some cultural control. If you’re a gifted musician but have been toiling away at making computers or driving a truck then you and the rest of humanity are missing out on your gifts. Get a move on and find your calling and all will go right from there.
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