PART 6: TODAY IS THE DAY
(Continued from Priorities, Focus And The Unexpected)
Our lives can get stuck on autopilot unless we have the courage to awaken and embrace growth. No one else will do it for us. Hiding behind jealousy and envy, we can watch others live the dreams we have, as we fill our minds with “could’ve, should’ve, would’ve” regrets. No one but ourselves can create the incentive within us to take the courageous steps towards our personal wholeness and joy. Though we may allow ourselves to become seduced by the temporary allure of excuses, I don’t believe that any excuse is a good enough reason to squelch the unique voice of our soul. We are the guardians of that voice. It is part of the reason we are each here: to honour and give our soul voice the energy, attention and respect it deserves.
Today, pull out a pen and paper and find a quiet place to ask yourself the following questions. Take your time with each one and write as honestly as you can:
1. What are my dreams?
2. In which way do I hold myself back from living these dreams?
3. What excuses do I make?
4. Are these really legitimate reasons or can they be overcome?
5. What am I afraid of?
6. What will I gain if I choose to follow my dreams?
7. What will I lose if I choose to follow my dreams?
Change can be sudden and change can be slow. In that, there is no right or wrong, only what is correct for you. Every flower blooms at its own speed. But if fear holds you back and causes you to be slow, then perhaps it is time for you to challenge that fear and dig deeper to resource your greater courage. If you tend to push at life out of fear, then it is time to pull back and allow things to unfold more organically. Acting out of fear will only lead to fear. No action rooted in the impossibilities will create a positive possibilities outcome.
Each one of us has a unique purpose and raison d’être. Only we can awaken the voice of our soul and follow our bliss. We learn to welcome the signals from the universe that help us hear the call. We become receptive to mentors, teachers and guides of all sorts as we embark and endure our hero’s journey. We will face adversity but our courage and wisdom will strengthen us. As I say in my song Open To This Love:
“Persevere and endear. Life begins after fear.
Doubt and you’re out. Let your soul beauty out.
I know we can grow. We’ve done it since we’ve been here.
We must let go. Love is truly dear.
Obsessing in perfection only tears us apart.
Never mind that attitude. Let’s focus on our heart.
Open to this love.”
Ultimately, when we find and follow our bliss, we touch the immortal realms, because our soul is rooted in the eternal divine. Our bliss is the voice of the divine in us. When we express our bliss, we express the divinity, our highest purpose. When we express our highest purpose, we support the good in all beings, whether others see that or not.
When you follow your bliss, you not only do it for yourself, but you do it for the world. When you say yes to who you are, you are saying yes to life. When you say yes to life, you maintain an energy that says “yes” to life, which touches everyone you meet. It also sends out a “yes life” energy to the universe, which supports all beings, even those with whom you have no physical contact. When you say yes to your soul voice, yes to life, everyone wins.
Finding the courage to follow your bliss is the greatest gift you can give both to yourself and to the world. And the best part is, it feels amazing!
Much grace to you along your path.
Jai Ma,
Parvati
Thanks for posting this week's series of blog entries. I've enjoyed reading them and even attempted to answer the seven questions above. But sadly, I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible for me to follow my bliss. I don't even know what my dreams are except to live as "normal" or "mainstream" a life as possible, even if that means stuffing down Amma so family and co-workers won't think I am in some kind of cult. The best I can do is experience little snippets of joy (e.g. Amma road trips, homas with Karunamayi) that get thrown my way a few times a year like throwing table scraps to a dog or cat. As you might guess, with poor social skills and poor motor skills to boot, Asperger's is a major limitation to my being able to live a life of joy. As disabilities go, it is extremely debilitating, far more so than being blind, deaf, or in a wheelchair. At least with physical disabilities, there are plenty of heroes and role models such as FDR, Helen Keller and Terry Fox to look up to for inspiration. Although there is a lot more public awareness of autism spectrum than there was even a decade ago, there are still no heroes or role models.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even mention the crappy economy in my comment. The recession has been a major dream killer for millions of people.
ReplyDeleteI think, Keval, that it would be good for you to go back and re-read what Parvati said to you in response to your previous comment. You seem to be attached to this idea of yourself as helpless to make any changes in your life because, in your view, the circumstances are too adverse. I would say that this attachment is the truest adversity you create for yourself.
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