“Begin at once to live and count each separate day as a separate life.” ~Seneca
How are you feeling about your life today? Are you excited about it? Do you wake up each day in anticipation? Are you thrilled to see what’s coming next?
Stop for a moment and think of your ideal day. There are no limits. Even better, write it down. Write down every moment from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep. What are you doing? Who are you spending time with? What is happening? Make sure you write this in the present tense, as if it were happening now. There are no limits. Write down anything and everything that comes to mind.
Now, that you are finished, do you recognize your life? Are you actually living how you say you want to live?
If you aren’t, why not? Many of us want our life to be different in some way. But, we are letting fear stop us from making the changes we need to in order to create the life we want. You are a creator, and you have the ability to create your life exactly the way you want to.
photo credit: Nhoj Leunamme == Jhon Emmanuel via photopincc
Yes, it will cause changes. And, yes, there will be a cost. Every lifestyle has a cost. The person who quits their job to travel has to leave their family and friends behind to do so. The person who decides to dedicate themselves to climbing the corporate ladder may not have the time for a relationship or to dedicate to their passion for writing or art. The person who decides to follow their heart and start a new business may have to work long hours to make it happen. The person who decides to go after their dream job may have to get used to having less money for a while.
The thing is that most of the things we are afraid of losing are just attachments that aren’t the real things in life that make us truly happy. We have been led to believe by society and the media that status, fame, wealth, and material possessions will make us happy. These things will all disappear one day when you die. Focus on the things in your life that do matter instead. Life is short, and should be spent on doing the things you love. The cost of not following your soul’s calling will always be greater than the material attachments you are giving up to create the life you want.
The question is are you willing to pay the price to follow your heart? Yes, it may mean giving up a few expensive dinners and the latest version of an iPhone, so you can follow the life that is meant to be yours. It may mean moving to a smaller house or selling some of your stuff on Ebay so you can fund your trip around the world. It may mean going to school after your day job, so you can take theater or art classes.
You may be in a hard situation at the moment with nothing but debt and bills, and it may mean going through some difficult years while you work three jobs to climb out of that situation, but start taking the steps right now to do so. The steps can be small. You won’t create your ideal life overnight, but you can start creating something new right now.
We all have choices in our life, and the choices that you are making right now are creating your future. They are creating your day, whether it be an ideal one or an exact replication of the day you had yesterday which wasn’t much, and is worlds away from the one you wish to be living.
Maybe, you already know the ways that you want your life to change, but you are spending the majority of your time doing things that don’t really matter. Once you know what direction you want your life to flow in, then that’s also where you need to spend the majority of your time. Spend the majority of your time creating that life, not on the life you already have.
It’s going to take a full commitment on your part to make it come true. The Universe listens to how committed you are, and will always give all that it takes to meet you in the middle. Notice, I said meet you in the middle. You see, part of creating is also action. We are creators who are meant to create. It’s not just thoughts that create your reality. Your action creates worlds of energy into making something happen. The Universe is in partnership with you, and needs you to do your part, too.
What small step can you take today to start creating the life that you want to be living? Create a life that you don’t want to get away from. Start now.
Featured photo credit: Nhoj Leunamme == Jhon Emmanuel via photopin
Inspiring and motivating to read! It was a good reminder for the day! Thanks for sharing!
Mindfulness at its best.
A Great article to read; it acts as a reset button. Information everyone knows but stashes away behind the hustle, worries, and confusion, of being buffeted about in a little boat on the rough sea of life. The fear of “what if my dreams are delusions.” Thoughts of, “what if I fail, or am I irresponsible if I try to follow my heart?” Then I remember. I have but one life and what is important and what I can change takes place, right now. Only fear and/or death can stop me from following my ideals.
Yes, Robert. I recently was the victim of a dog attack in Bali. The possibility of having rabies was such a reminder that now is all we have!!
I’ve been living the live I want to live since I was 10! 50 years later I have no regrets. I’ve lived & worked on 5 continents. I have friends in Cairo, Baghdad, Cape Town, Shanghai, Lima, Boston, Vienna, London & Portland. I’ve given up jobs that pay 10 X as much money to stay in a 3rd world country. I’ve owned 1 car in my life, but many bicycles; my clothes are from Goodwill; I’ve never married, but have had a few wonderful lovers; I own only what I really need. I’m truely happy & content.
Why would anyone NOT want to live life on their own terms?
Absolutely, Anne! Happiness doesn’t come from the things we own, that’s for sure!