It is easy to become complacent in life. The daily grind becomes, well…a grind. You begin to think that life is made up of just commitments, chores, and responsibilities. These things suck your energy and your time into a warp, never to be recovered again.
It’s called life and adulthood and it is filled with drama, extenuating circumstances and obstacles. Just when everything falls into place, another catastrophe fills the void. You wonder why today can’t be perfect, quiet, or just a little more normal. A little sun shine, friendly people, no hassles, and no troubles would be lovely for a change.
I agree that life can get a little monotonous, but guess what? You can change that! You are responsible for your happiness, your time management and how you decide to fill the hours. We are all given the same number of hours in a day. Why, then, do some people seem so productive, happy, and forward-moving, while others are dreary or negative?
Part of the answer is that the cheerful people use a positive mindset, but the negative ones see the glass half empty. More importantly, the negative and complacent people do not seek or understand their purpose.
Trust me, I’m not judging. If you had asked me a few years ago what I thought my purpose was, I am not sure I would know the answer. Back then, I was caught in the web of thinking I was too busy to accomplish anything more, and I was too wrapped up in every day demands to step outside the boundaries and push myself to achieve.
That is when I heard it. A very faint, but precise voice. Call it a spirit, faith or anything you would like, but it clearly gave me direction. It said “Start.”
The “start” was referring to self-expression and opportunity to help others. It was a push to write more, a thought that had been floating in my mind for a while. The impetus to “start” was jumpstart by purpose knocking at my door. The only reason I heard this quiet voice was because I was already intently listening. That is the thing about purpose. You know it takes work and effort. Your fear of failure drives your decision to push it off. In many ways, it is easier to follow your boring daily grind cluttered with commitments, chores, and responsibilities, without adding more effort and work into the mix.
Once I heard my purpose, though, there was no turning back. The spirit or voice of reason that spoke was much more powerful than I ever realized. Following a calling brings an awareness and a new vibrancy to life. This voice is a magnificently steady and opens up other doors. I had been holding out on myself by not being confident. My purpose not only rejuvenated my life, it rejuvenated my martial art practice and mindset. It was an opportunity to bring every passion together, as I should have done long ago.
While this particular blog post appears to be about how I followed my calling and my mission, it is really about you.
I simply serve as an example. Your life has a spirit of its own. Stop and listen for a moment. Do you hear it? The only word you need to hear is the same word that quietly rushed into my head that day. It is the word that prompts you to move forward with whatever vision, mission or purpose that fills your heart. The word…the action…is clear. It says, “just start.”
xoxo
Andrea
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More inspiration here AND other related books and podcasts for Andrea:
Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone book:
https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X
The Martial Arts Woman book:
https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman…/dp/1544916213