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.
Within the last two weeks, I have spoken with several women that are stuck, frustrated and living unfulfilling lives. On one occasion, I listened to a woman for about twenty minutes as she talked about how unfair she is being treated at work and trying to please her boss. As a result, she is stressed out which is causing issues in her personal life. As I listened to her frustration, I sensed that she had lost sight of what was important to her. Finally, I asked her a question......What do you want? After a long pause, she stared at me and said, I don't know what to do, I don't want to live like this, I'm so frustrated but it is hard to change. I spoke with another woman, that also admitted she is frustrated and stuck. Again, I asked the question......What do you want? She didn't answer the question but dropped her head, like she was ashamed of admitting she was stuck.
As I think about these women, I can relate to their frustration and know what it is like to be stuck. I was stuck at one point in my life, frustrated and filled with anxiety. I was presented with the same question....What do you want? I wanted more so I started to do the work. To move forward and change my life, I began by writing down my vision, which was a huge first step. Once I wrote down my vision, I was able to identify and complete small steps to move forward. The small steps turned into milestones and I began to live the life I wanted.
To move forward, you have to want to make changes in your life and be willing to do the work. It takes effort, time, sacrifices and energy to make life changes. It is not easy, but it is not easy to live status quo if you are not fulfilled. You have to be committed to making changes and know that you have a choice. Know that you can change your life, but if you are not willing to do the work, nothing will change. If need be, seek support - a friend, life coach, therapist or whatever help you need to make changes in your life. Don't let the status quo deprive you of living the fulfilling life you deserve. Live life to the fullest. Make it about You!