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"Do What You Love!"
If you are not doing what you love to do, then you will feel dissatisfied, unhappy, unfulfilled, frustated - all words that describe negative emotions. Another word for negative emotion is stress.
Many of us are conditioned or pre-programmed to go into a business/vocation by our parent’s expectations. I was supposed to be a nurse. Both of my brothers got excellent marks in math, so they were supposed to go to university and become engineers.
All three of us did go to university. Both of my brothers quit university and wandered for a few years, not knowing what to do with their lives. After one year, I transferred over to the hospital nursing program. I did become a nurse but, although I love people, I was not satisfied or fulfilled. I spent thirty years searching for what I was supposed to do. I finally found it! Being a Stress Relief Coach, Author and Speaker has given me the greatest joy, fulfillment and satisfaction! At the age of 59, I finally know what I am supposed to be doing with my life.
What about you? Were you programmed to do something? Are you still doing it? Are you doing what you love? Do you feel joy, fulfillment and satisfaction with what you are working at? Or are you still searching? Or have you given up and just are going through the motions, just getting through the day?
I watched my brothers and, later, my sons, as they drifted through life, not knowing what they wanted to do. I’ve watched them fall in and out of different jobs, not enjoying them or giving them their best efforts.
Why don’t we do what we love?
1. Many of us don’t know what it is.
2. Others don’t believe they have the ability to do it and are afraid they will fail.
3. We may think that we have too many responsibilities and can’t afford to go back to school or whatever it required.
4. We may think we’re too old, too young, too poor, not educated enough, not ….
These are all just excuses to cover our fear. There are many people in far worse conditions who have done just what we dream of doing.
I remember hearing the story of a middle-aged man who wanted to be a lawyer. When asked why he didn’t go for it, he replied: “Do you realize how old I would be before I graduated?” The other person replied: “Well, how old will you be if you don’t do it?”
How do you find what you were meant to do?
1. First, look at what you are interested in. Make a list of everything that interests you.
2. Do some research one each one. There is tons of information about everything on the internet. As you study, ask yourself: Can I see myself doing this for the rest of my life? How do I feel inside as I read about this?
3. Possibly the most important thing you can do is listen to your inner feelings, your intuition, the Spirit, or whatever you want to call it. What makes your heart sing?
4. If possible, try volunteering for a few hours in a field that you might like to go into. Seeing the reality can make a real difference sometimes. Constantly keep checking in with your feelings.
5. Narrow your list and make a decision.
That is the hardest part. Once you have made a decision, look for ways to accommplish the goal. Amazing things happen when people make a decision. Doors open that you didn’t even know were there.
As Dr. John Thies, the founder of “Touch for Health” said: “Realize that you can have anything you are ready to receive. Its not a matter of gaining anything. Its a matter of removing the things that have come between you and the successful universe which surrounds you right now.”
There is always a way to “Do What You Love!” when you first make the decision and then the commitment! Good Luck! No, I’m changing those words. We make our own luck!
If you are not able to get past the negative conditioning that is keeping you stuck in a life that is not making you happy, fulfilled or satisfied, you might find it helpful to get professional help.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:54 am
“Do What You Love!” I love this
I can relate so much to your story. I am also an RN. I never felt this was my calling. It had a lot of perks like working overseas, travelling and decent pay for part time work. Like you, I love people. I started working in mental health and found it was nursing’s best kept secret. I had previously worked in pediatrics and intensive care for years.
After being in mental health for years I realized to a greater extent of how much I liked to ‘coach, teach and empower’ people to become healthy. This hard to do with those people to are acutely ill, I did realize. So here I am also helping people, who want to make their lives better. I found “Do What You Love!” in my life.
BTW, I really enjoy your blog.
Pattie
September 30th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Thanks for the encouraging words Pattie, I saw the sign at a SandCastle competition on Vancouver Island this summer and loved it! I think that we have gotten away from listening to our intuition or inner “gut feeling”.
Too many of us just “settle” for what is instead of going after our dreams. It takes courage to step outside of the box, doesn’t it? But is it so much for intereting and fulfilling – even when it’s tough. Sheryl