How often do you wake up in the morning and want to pull the covers up over your head, stay in bed, remain on the sideline and let the world pass you by? Sometimes you reach a point in life where you become weary and want to give up, take time out, because you can't see how you are going to achieve your dream. However, you know in your heart, you have to keep pursuing that dream, your purpose. Life can be challenging and emotional. One day you feel strong, believing you can achieve anything and the next day you feel just the opposite, like everything is going against you and began to question yourself - What am I doing? Can I really achieve this dream?
It is during these emotional times you must remain focused on your dream and live with purpose. Live with the belief and knowing your dream can be achieved. Know that whatever you are going through at that time is the path that will get you closer to achieving your dream. Maybe it is a lesson you need to learn, a skill you need to develop or maybe it is just not the right time. However, you must stay the course, believe and have faith. I know what it feels like to question yourself and want to just stop, let go of the dream and be still. I have experienced those days pursuing my dream. It is not easy to reinvent yourself after retirement and start a business. It is very difficult but I know that my dream is my passion and purpose for living. It brings me joy to help others live out their dreams and I know my journey will provide me with the experiences and needed skills to help others. So every day I make preparation to live with purpose.
Live with purpose requires you to feed your spirit by beginning and ending each day with prayer and meditation. This approach will strengthen your belief and prepares you for whatever may come your way. This preparation will keep you focused and help you make decisions that are aligned with your dream. So on those mornings when you think about staying on the sideline, your belief and faith will encourage and motivate you to get out of bed and begin your day with purpose, working to achieve your dream.
What I know for sure is that stepping out on faith and taking a leap can change the circumstances in your life and propel you forward. However, I know that it is easier said than done. Your desire to want more out of life must be strong enough to overpower the status quo. I know from my own personal experiences that it takes courage to step out of your safe comfort zone. To make changes in your life, you must be passionate, willing, committed to using your energy to go forward and take a leap of faith.
Taking a leap of faith can be very uncomfortable and scary. It can cause an overwhelming sense of vulnerability and anxiety, to the extent that you allow yourself to become comfortable where you are in life, knowing there is more that you should be doing and want to do. I know because there have been times in my life when I wanted to play it safe and maintain the status quo. I haven't always had the courage to move forward and questioned - can I do it, what will happen if I fail?
Within the last year, I made a major decision regarding how to proceed with my workshop and took a leap of faith. Prior to making the decision to move forward, I prayed and meditated for months. I was afraid of being criticized and rejected. Every time I thought about moving forward, I felt vulnerable and had many sleepless nights. I questioned if I was good enough - if my workshop was good enough.... if.... if.... if...the questioning went on and on and on. I was on an emotional roller coaster. It was a very trying time.
Finally, one morning as I was jogging outside along the lake, I had a moment of truth and questioned myself.
What would happen if I didn't try?
Would I be satisfied with the status quo, and if so, what opportunities would I be given up?
Would I always question what could have been?
How could I help others if I couldn't move forward?
Most importantly, would I be fulfilled?
I knew at that moment I wouldn't be pleased with my life or myself if I didn't try. I knew there was more to me, more to give and more work to be done. I made the decision to move forward. I would stand in my faith, knowing and believing that whatever the outcome, I would be further along in my journey to pursue my desires. At least, I would be able to sleep, just knowing that I tried.
I took a leap of faith and proceeded. As a result, the workbook is now published. Although everything didn't turn out as planned, I gained far more than I expected. Taking a leap of faith gave me the confidence, freedom, and peace to continue with my workshop. It gave me confirmation to continue to pursue my dreams. This life experience has helped me remove barriers and live a more fulfilling life. I am grateful my desires overpowered the fear. At the end of the day, I learned something about me. The more I grow, the more I glow - my internal light is shining.
What decision will you make today? Will you take a leap of faith?
MARCH 21, 2017