“Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.” ~Joseph Campbell
Recently I’ve been feeling this need to grow and expand. I’ve been doing the same thing here for about three years now, and I’ve identified a long list of things I know I don’t want to do—but aside from writing my next book, I haven’t felt a strong pull in any other direction.
Then this weekend I had an idea for a new creative project—something that has absolutely nothing to do with Tiny Buddha. In fact, it’s geared toward young girls, and it’s more silly than spiritual.
Although I love this site, and I’m going to continue writing here, this new idea ignited a different type of passion and enthusiasm in me. It was a reminder that I am more than any one role I play. I am more than any one project.
Suddenly I realized: I’ve been focusing like a laser on what else I might be able to do for and through Tiny Buddha, when it would have been far less limiting to ask myself what energizes me in general.
Essentially, I assumed progress needed to happen in one specific way, instead of opening myself up to new possibilities based on what makes me feel passionate and excited.
Can you relate to this feeling? Have you ever felt confident you should be doing one thing, and in the process closed yourself off to what you could be doing?
Have you ever felt so attached to possibilities in one venture that you closed yourself off to something else that might be even more fulfilling?
I suspect we’re more tempted to do this after we’ve put a lot of time and effort into something.
If you’ve spent years building a business or working toward a degree, focusing your energy on something else might feel like derailing yourself or starting over.
But when we’re willing to let go of how we thought things had to be, we’re often better able to create how we really want them to be.
It may look nothing like we first visualized; or we may follow our instincts and find they lead us right back where we started. The important thing is that we stay open to them.
Happiness isn’t a destination, but we’re best able to experience it when we follow where it leads.
Photo by John_Brennan
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
- Web |
- More Posts
Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
Lori, hank you so much for this post. Yesterday my life changed dramatically within a half hour and I woke up not happy about it this morning. I spent much of last night trying to reframe it into a good thing open to tons of new possibilities, but this morning, I was just annoyed and sad. And in the last 10 minutes you helped me reframe it again to the fact my life has just opened up to brand new possibilities that I really want. And I believe it’s because I was ready for these changes. And your blog and your insights and writing have helped me get to this point where I can do this. A year ago, before I started a journey towards happiness that wasn’t pinned to some outside source, I would have disolved into a puddle of fear and despair. But now I’m just enjoying the journey. Thank you. Thank you.
I love your photos. They are so great – where do you get them from? Namaste. Cathy
This is my struggle – and I needed you to point it out to me. I literally feel like I have been trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. I have been swirling around – focusing on one little tiny part of my possibility… Never realized until just now that the possibility may be outside of my current project. Just because this project was a catalyst for huge change in my life and a passion for me doesn’t mean I can’t now move outside of it to explore what is next or different. Thank you for this timely wisdom.
Lovely … truly lovely! And isn’t the surprise a wonderful feeling?! That moment when we (once again) surprise ourselves at how we “become” something else, someone new – when really we’re simply opening up to (even) more of who we are. =D
And Lori, I think you also articulated for me, with this post, that we can have more than one passion in life and what it feels like when it is time to move on to the next one. No matter how well we think we are succeeding with something, there may be more to us or the possibilities of something even greater that we are blind to when we are super focused. You have allowed yourself to see more of your possibilities and I bet this new venture will be great!
The photo inspired giggles 🙂
I can very much relate to this post right now! I was accepted into a PhD program, which would help me enable my career and would likely lead to a much better paying job. What I really long to do, however, is write a book. Yet I am pulled in the direction that will lead to a more stable finical future because my current situation is tenuous. I feel like I SHOULD pursue the PhD. I just don’t WANT to.
You go for it, Lori! I’m looking forward to hearing more about your “more silly than spiritual” project geared toward young girls. My first thought was that “silly” is a version of spiritual; at least it is to me. Allowing ourselves silliness a sure manifestation of being spiritually open. And I feel sure those young girls would both benefit from your wisdom and help you expand it. I hope you can see this new inspiration/project as a step of growth and expansion, as you mentioned in your first sentence, rather than a change to something different.
Having had 8 careers (working on my 9th: retirement 😉 ), I realize that I was always in a state of preparing for whatever was coming next. It was always important to me not to feel “set in” to any one job, direction, goal, career, project. That’s not to say I wasn’t firmly committed and fully involved in each one. It’s not to say that I didn’t work to excel in what I was doing, to put myself entirely into it. It IS to say that exploration and growth and moving forward was always equally important. I found that each of my careers held opportunities to learn and explore and expand, eventually and inevitably leading me in a new direction. Then I’d just go for it, toward that new direction.
To me, it sounds like you’re similar. You have so many skills and talents, and a great BIG heart. I predict that these traits are bound to take you far and beyond what you’re doing here, now.
Looking forward to hearing more about your new project, and confident you will be bringing blessings into the world! Best wishes-
Wonderful Lori…I’m so happy for you…and excited. I know exactly what you meant when you wrote “Essentially, I assumed progress needed to happen in one specific way”. I used to think that what I wanted would come in a particular form and once I learned that I had no clue how it was going to arrive, the anticipation of how it would come was as great as the anticipation of fulfilling my desire. 🙂
Encourage one another.
Elle
Thanks Cathy! I get them all from Flickr.com, under the Creative Commons license.
You’re most welcome April! It sounds like you and I have been dealing with similar feelings. When I asked myself, “What do I really want to do right now?” I felt a lot freer. Best of luck with your next possibility! =)
Yes, I love that feeling! It’s wonderful to remember that the only limitations on us are the ones we put on ourselves.
Thanks so much Laurie! I have a good feeling about this, because I’m excited about it. It’s so true, what you wrote about having more than one passion. I think we need to recognize and honor that in order to feel a sense of balance. At least I know I do!
I think we all get pulled by “should” at times, and it can be such a stressful think if we’re going against what we genuinely want! What kind of book would you like to write?
Thanks so much Pamela!
Thanks so much Elle! What a beautiful ending to your comment “Encourage one another.” I love that. =)
I love that smiley Buddha! =)
You’re most welcome. I’m thrilled to know my writing has helped you! I’m sending good thoughts your way as you embrace your next adventure. =)
Thanks so much Kate! I think this is definitely the right next step for me. I’ve been writing for girls for five years now (for magazines and recently, a website) and things have lined up in such a way as to make a great opportunity available to me now. The project feels right, the timing seems perfect, and everything inside me is screaming, “Yes!” I may be quite busy this year, as I literally *just* signed the contract for my second Tiny Buddha book. (I’m excited about that, as well!)
It does sound like we have a lot in common. This part of your comment really resonated with me: “,,,exploration and growth and moving forward was always
equally important. I found that each of my careers held opportunities to
learn and explore and expand, eventually and inevitably leading me in a
new direction. Then I’d just go for it, toward that new direction.”
What’s nice about this mindset, I think, is that it implies being unattached to specific roles, which allows you to grow and evolve, and see life as a series of adventures. I’ve tried to live my life that way as well!
Dear Lori,
You’re a peaceful warrior!
I “think” one of the dangers in waking up to consciousness is, it
can become more of a “(judge) mental” condition.
I have seen, and
felt it myself too “No No, I have big things to do!” that’s true, we all do, but, it’s
a lot simpler than that though. It’s all (and only) about recognising your
talents, use them wisely, and have fun with it. Now, that is very spiritual!
😉
by the way, i dont know why my text has this layout.. when i wrote it, it was a nice block ;(
Hi Lori, i think everytime i go through some patch each day and i read your posts im like “she is reading my feelings!” Its quite scary knowing there are other people out there just like me. Im a worrier, panicker, anxious, determined and lost person at the same time! Every single day i wake up with this strong feeling that i need to venture on my own, have a business (im struggling with that concept because of what others would think) and enjoy life like i know best. I just cant seem to find THAT kind of happiness of waking up – track pants – coffee shop – read/ write – business – social networking…….i shall keep you posted on that little fantasy 🙂
Please read my bog, its just a few posts but then you will understand how tiny buddha relates to people and their thought which are real and alike.
http://mitiska.wordpress.com/
I know what you mean Sunny! I think we often feel this pressure to do more than whatever we’re doing; however, I know I’ve felt resistance to many traditional blogger choices for a reason. I am happiest when I follow my passions and then let growth happen organically as a result of that.
Did you copy it from a Word document? Sometimes that messes up the appearance a bit!
I suspect a lot of us deal with these same feelings Rushana! It’s part of human nature and our natural survival instincts. Yes, please do keep me posted!
Thanks for the link Shana. I will check it out!
Lori,
I don’t read your blog everyday and when I do I get just what I need to hear…I understand exactly what you’re talking about. I wish you well with your new project and can’t wait to hear more about it. Silly is good!
no.. just wrote from the site..
Thanks so much Tess! It’s just in the beginning stages now, but I have a good feeling about it! I hope all is well with you. =)
Nice post..
Beautiful post, Lori! And what a great quote to start with!! That quote, and the work of Campbell, has inspired most of the decisions I’ve made in my adult life. And it’s never led me astray!! Namaste.
Thank you! =)
Thanks Nikki! It’s guided my decisions as well. I’ve found my bliss is a wonderful compass!
I am loving this quote.. seeing it today, really helped to turn my day into a new direction and I want to thank you for that!! We should never be afraid, for if we feel it is right that is where we need to go. Thank you for opening my eyes today!!
🙂
Be free where you are,
Kelsey
You are most welcome Kelsey.
Happy Tuesday!Lori