. . . Because it’s time . . .

What will it take for us to begin to realize that our lives – who we are and what we can do – matters so much more than we acknowledge on a daily basis. We allow our economy, society and tradition to dictate the paths of our existence. As a result, misery and lack of fulfillment are growing at an astonishing rate. Just take a look at the news and the studies done balking out survey results telling us how we are and what we think. Statistics. For the record, I hate statistics. Based on my childhood and up-bringing, statistics say that I should have been an uneducated, welfare recipient with countless kids and a drug habit IF I were still alive. I digress – my point is we allow what we see in this world and our circumstances to rule our lives rather than that unquenchable thirst for more and better that burns in the pit of our stomachs every day.

How many times have you heard or witnessed the push of career paths on children because “they’ll make good money that way?” Or have been told “you have a good job” based on the material possessions you have? Or seen a college student choose a major based on parent nudging or industry trend?
This happens all the time and it’s so rampant and socially acceptable that it’s the norm. Why can’t it be such that children are allowed to explore and experience different avenues which will allow their special gift to surface and then be cultivated to pursue a career in that area? In witnessing a nice car or a nice home, why can’t the question of “are you happy with your job” prevail over the assumption of a good job based on money? Why? Because that’s too much like right and what should be the norm.

We all have something that we were blessed with to do well. Why is it so inconceivable to some that these gifts are not only the very tools with which we can prosper and find fulfillment, but they are also how we help one another, how we carve our space in this world: The very means to support our existence.

Years ago, this was true. There was no question of it. If your talent emerged in carving wood – you were a carpenter and that’s how you made your living: doing what you loved and did so well. Created items or processes that made way of life better for others? Boom! You were an inventor. Could craft words in writing with finesse? Yup! A writer you were! You simply were your talent and you lived off of it and others, in a sense, did also!

Some of you may know this, some may not. You may be waiting for the right time, or an opportunity. You may be trying to discover what your gifts are, what your purpose is. You may be so entrenched in society’s way of thinking and are perfectly faux happy with your six figures and Benz. Whatever the case may be, I believe you are called for better – a better life, a better understanding, a better way of being. Regardless of your current circumstance, if you are not living by way of the gifts bestowed upon you then it’s time to change that.

Essentially you’ve been killing yourself all this time trying to fit in with everything but your talents. And, inevitably, at this rate – you’ll die (or some part of you, that is). As I’ve said here before, dying isn’t an option, so what are you waiting for.

It’s time to dive in and start your journey – discovery, action, fulfillment and joy.

My journey (well, the latest re-start that’s actually sticking) began in May of 2010 when I finished my degree and felt that, since I finally finished, it was time to pick up a pen again and write. I was rusty with no self-confidence whatsoever in this . . . this thing that I used to be good at a long time ago but hadn’t done anything with in ages. I began to poke around a bit and happened upon an online publication looking for writers. I reached out and there was some email correspondence. They came to town to meet with the writers in this area with whom they corresponded and I attended. Left there hopeful, but fearful. A couple of months past and I wrote nothing. Not for myself, not for the publication. I was scared. Didn’t want to be rejected.

Then, I got pissed with myself. I did – I started to “beat myself up” and try to make myself “talk out” what my problem was. After that, I started telling myself what to do to make some changes and slowly but surely, I made some changes. I wrote and submitted my first piece to the online publication and that was my leap. It was titled “Dust Off Those Deferred Dreams” and has been posed here as my pre-launch post as well as in Reading Dream Free. There is where my journey began – to dream free or die – and where I’ve been and what I’ve learned since, I will be happy to share with you. When you leap and start to dream free, share with me and we can grow together. Where I’m going, follow me and find out . . .