You don’t have to own anything material to feel life is abundant.
I walked my dog this afternoon. Cacti were blooming fire orange flowers. Wildflowers of purple and yellow were sprayed everywhere. Insects and birds were busy working.
If you can find joy in wildflowers and nature around you, then no one can take that feeling of abundance from you.
“I don’t know what I’m passionate about! How do I find my passion?”
How about starting with a list of things you would do for free? Make a list. Don’t censor yourself.
You can also try to remember what you enjoyed doing when you were eight years old. Add those activities. Nothing is too silly.
I’d love to hear what you come up with. How can you incorporate this into your work?
One of my favorite books of all time is James Altucher’s Choose Yourself.
Hate your job? Create your own!
Want a house? Build your own.
Hate your boyfriend? Break up with him and make your own.
Ok, maybe not that last one so much.
I’m a teacher with a limited income. (How’s that for redundant?)
I contribute to my retirement funds, pay my bills, pay for my daughters’ violins, symphony fees and lessons. After that, I don’t have much left. And I don’t feel like I can treat myself to a manicure or purse. I just put the little morsels in savings, paycheck after paycheck.
But I’ve been finding myself feeling a bit empty. Do you know how Stephen Covey says you need to be mindful of emotional bank accounts in your relationships? I believe this pertains to the relationship you have with yourself, as well.
I decided to invest in myself and I have not felt this good in a very long time. I’m taking a class. It’s not cheap. But I believe it will help me achieve a lot more than if I didn’t take it. I feel empowered. Invigorated. Optimistic.
It might take just a small visit to a cupcake shop. It might mean you check yourself into a local hotel for a night or two to have peace and quiet to work on your screenplay. Or maybe it’s time for you to pursue that degree you’ve always dreamed of. Only you know for sure what will make a deposit into your own emotional bank account. But do it. Do what it takes. It will not only raise your spirits, but it’ll raise the spirits of those you love and who love you.
Two days ago, a car was t-boned right in front of me. My daughter was with me, sitting in the front passenger seat. The car flipped and landed upside down just 8 feet from my car. When it was in the air, I thought it might land on us. It didn’t. I realized at that moment – life is really short and unpredictable. When you’re on your deathbed, will you have regrets? That would be the saddest thing of all. It’s up to you. What are you waiting for?
You are not your body.
You are not your thoughts.
You are the presence of these things.
Go ahead with your ambition, but be easy with it. Be calm and unattached. If the world seems too noisy, too loud and obnoxious, then get quiet. Be still.
Allow fear to dissipate before you take action.
My husband, daughters and I frequent a gelato place called Dolce Vita. It’s owned and operated by an Italian immigrant and his wife. They sell authentic Italian groceries, and prepare food from scratch, including the BEST gelato you could ever eat. Walter is the quintessential snob. He’s not afraid to be snooty with you and if you complain too much, you’ll be kicked out of his shop for life.
He mocks some of his troublesome American customers:
“Hm, what does this pear gelato taste like?”
In his thick Italian accent, he answers snidely, “Vaneeela!”
Another stupid question: “Which one is better, the Nutella gelato or the pineapple gelato?”
“It’s no better, just diffeh-rant!”
This reminded me of so many times I hear parents compare their children. I was compared a lot, to my siblings. It never made any of us feel good.
How can you compare human beings? It’s like comparing Nutella to pineapple gelato!
We do this alot, don’t we? We compare ourselves to others. How’s this working for you? You’re comparing an apple to oranges! Suggestion: stop comparing. If you’re going to be in competition so that you can improve, compete against yourself. Be better tomorrow than you were today. Simple.
Stop the madness and be joyful.
You’re bored. You’re anxious. You’re angry or you’re sad.
You think you’ll be happy if…you get that new job, a raise, new clothes, a new car…
But actually, you already have everything you need to be happy.
Any sign of discontent means you need to SUBTRACT something: stress, work load, self-expectations, junk food, social engagements…THOUGHTS.
Thoughts can be our enemy. Thoughts can drive you crazy. As Mickey Singer (The Surrender Experiment) points out, “anyone who has ever committed suicide did so through thoughts.”
So if you’re anything less than happy right now, consider subtracting something in your life.
What could be more pure – more potent – than a 10 year old professing love to another 10 year old?
Working with children fills my heart with joy every single day.
There is a lot of action being taken nowadays: marches, boycotts, and lawsuits. People are unhappy and want to take action. Action can be good. It sounds better than just sitting on your tush, complaining. Complaining is definitely not productive.
In your own life, you might be pondering an action to take: to breakup with a lover, to make a career change, or to move out of the country. You ask yourself, is it the right thing to do?
In Buddhism, there is a saying, “Make right action.” By “right,” it is meant ideal or wise. It is not meant to be taken as the opposite of the Western concept of “wrong.” It means your decision comes from a place of calm, peace and compassion. And by action, it is all action, not just major decisions.
When you make dinner, serve it lovingly. When you drive, do it compassionately. When you work, do it mindfully. This will add up to a good life for you.
A hint: your action does not have its roots in anger or sadness.
So. Think about your choices. Which action is right action?
I was watching an old (actually, timeless) interview with Quentin Tarantino. He was talking about his life before becoming a film maker. Did you know he worked in a video store? He was a clerk! His old life was very comfortable and he admitted he was pretty happy.
And then he realized he had “something to say.”
He was better than his friends, which was not hard to do, since they were drug addicts with no ambition. He got real. He realized that he could continue to live his life watching free movies behind a counter and be superior to all those around him OR…work towards his dreams of being a filmmaker.
And the rest is history.
Do you have something to say? What one step could you take – NOW – towards your dream?
Do it!
Kismet 