Create

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?   -Robert H. Schuller

My friend and I were talking last night about our dreams.  We are both in the midst of pursuing our passions.  For me, it’s the blog and writing and for her, it’s something else creative.  We were talking about the challenges of following your heart.  Sometimes we don’t know where we are headed or what our next step is but we are enjoying the moment.  Each moment leads to another inspired moment even when we don’t know what the outcome will be.

That is one of the things I’ve learned from yoga.  They say to “not be attached to outcome”.  That is a huge challenge in American society in 2011.  Americans are all about outcome and achievement and final product and success.  It’s also a huge challenge for me personally.  I love success and achievement and competition and growth and status and popularity and money!! Who doesn’t????

But I’ve realized I love something else more.  I love following my heart.  I am energized more every day when I speak (and write) my own truth.  I feel jazzed and excited to forge my own path.  Is it scary? Yes.  Is it uncertain? Yes.  Do some people reject it? Yes.  Is that hurtful? Yes.

So why would anyone attempt to put themselves out there?  Why not just take the easy path and go with the flow? 

Because then you are not really living. 

If you have a dream, even a glimmer of an idea that gets you really excited and energized, you should pursue that.  Even if it means you are painting furniture in your garage for 2 years (which I did!) and not making any money (yep, me again) and making a really big mess (my husband came out to the garage and said, “I feel like Sanford and Son!”).  I felt great in old dirty jeans listening to music and painting and meeting new people and trying to sell stuff I’ve made.  It was exciting and liberating and fun!  I felt authentic.  I felt like me.

Some people may say it was not a success.  By the world’s standards, I don’t have anything to show for that experience except a bunch of furniture in my house that I’ve painted.  But in my heart and in my soul, that experience was huge.  I learned to believe in myself and my enthusiasm and my dreams.  I can’t even tell you all I learned about myself and others in that experience.  That was a turning point for me on my journey.  I am richer (in the best sense of the word) for it. 

So I guess this blog entry is for all of you (us) who are pursuing our passions.  Define success by one person’s definition…yours.  Do not let the opinions of others deter you.  You are unique and divinely made.  There is a plan for you and are most alive when you are pursuing what you love. 

Is it painting? Writing? Cooking? Opening your own business? Gardening? Yoga? Do you want to write a play, a movie? Do you want to take an improv class? Do you want to go back to school? Do you want to teach? Do you want to work at a shelter? Do you want to run a marathon?  Climb a mountain? Do you want to share your faith? Do you want to write poetry? Do you want to travel? Do you want to take photographs?

If you are like me, you may want to do all of this!  That is the best part!  We are never done.  We are never in a place where we cannot afford to grow more, learn more, do more, be more.  If you try something and you find it is no longer serving you, then you can change what you are doing.  Nothing is written in stone.  If something is not right for you, it is still valuable.  It has moved you forward. 

What makes you come alive?  Do it.  When others wonder what you are doing or question how you are going to progress or succeed or achieve in this endeavor, I hope you tell them, “I don’t know but I’m excited to find out.  I hope you’ll join me on the journey and support me in creating something beautiful!” 

Go ahead, create.  Beautify the world with the vision that is uniquely yours.  Who knows where it will lead? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ©2011 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big Yes™ All Rights Reserved