The journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step.—Lao Tzu
Many clients come to me with an inkling of the life they want to live, but they aren’t really sure how to make that inkling manifest. “Where do I or should I start?” they ask.
Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” What can you do? What is one small step you could take in the direction of your passion? Could you talk to others who are doing what you’d like to do? Could you read inspiring books? Could you go to the library or peruse the Internet to research your interests? Could you go the place where your heroes worked and walk on their hollowed ground?
I once heard a paraplegic man say that he was formerly able to do 1,000 things. Now he can do 500. His focus is on the 500 things he can do, not on the 500 things he cannot.
Sometimes, paradoxically, having some perceived parameters actually motivates us to best utilize the time we do have. This has certainly been true for me. On the days I have a great deal to do, I am more motivated to work out. On busy days, I know I only have a discrete amount of time and I am motivated to use it. On days where I have a very open schedule, I have a harder time getting motivated to work out. Sometimes these perceived parameters catapult us forward. In fact, your perceived limitation may be a gift that will help you realize your dreams and purpose. Abraham (Ester Hicks) has said that sometimes we create these challenges so that we can have contrast in order to gain clarity. What could be a gift in what you have perceived as a challenge?
I am so inspired by the story of J.K. Rowling who penned the Harry Potter series. Joanne Rowling was a single mom in Scotland who was also unemployed and living on state benefits. She would write her Harry Potter series at different cafes whenever her baby was napping. Talk about using resources, however limited they seem, to one’s best advantage!
When I was working as a therapist, writing and taking care of two babies at home, I decided I wanted to be a life coach. At the time, most people didn’t really know exactly what life coaching was! In fact, I really wasn’t that clear, but I was being pulled intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally in that direction. It took years for me to start my private practice, Simply Divine Solutions—Personal Coaching for Women. I took very, very small steps towards my passion. In fact, my steps were so small I don’t think anyone (sometimes including myself) thought I was moving at all. After a time, my business came together. The funny thing is, I really didn’t have a very clear vision at the start, but I just kept doing the thing in front of me that felt right to do. For example, I signed up for a coaching program, I named and trademarked my business, I created a Web site, I added a business line, etc … It didn’t happen overnight. Thank goodness for that! I would have probably been really overwhelmed if I would have known at the start all of what I would have to do. However, by just doing the obvious things that you CAN do, you can gain momentum and before you know it, you are manifesting!
If you feel like you have parameters, find the loophole. Get creative. Ask questions. Listen. Research. If meditation is part of your practice, meditate (Rev. Carmen J. Day brilliantly pointed out today that meditation is an active, not passive pursuit.)
Who is doing, creating etc what you’d like to do? Can you take their workshop, get coaching (from Dr. Jeanine, of course—smile!), read their books, interview them? Just being in the presence of those you admire can be deeply inspiring. I love to go to hear Marianne Williamson, Dr. Wayne Dyer, and Dr. Pema Chodron speak. Who might be your inspiration? Set a goal such as “I will do three things each day, however small, which will move my attention in the direction of my passion.” Maybe I’ll create a vision poster, write and say affirmations, get a life coach, or join a coaching group. Be creative in using you six senses in visioning. For example, how would you sit if you were a coach? What does a healthy diet feel like in your body? What are the sounds, tastes, spiritual feelings that you associate with your dreams? Have a walk in the neighborhood you’d like to live in. I used to walk around in a neighborhood I loved and the neighbors seemed to know me better than the people who actually lived there! Claim your divine inheritance!
