The Unexpected Path to Living the Life You Dream About

“Of course there is no formula for success except, perhaps, an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.” ~Arthur Rubinstein

I used to be a big fan of working hard, really hard. I still work hard, but I do it from a place of inspiration and peace, instead of fear and must.

In the past few years, something has shifted within me. It is both confusing and wonderful. I cannot put my finger on exactly what is going on, but it seems to be happening in just the right way.

Like Arthur Rubinstein says in the quote above, there are no formulas for living the life you secretly dream about, because if you simply accept and welcome life, it’ll reveal itself to you.

It is not through effort that you mold the universe to your liking, but from allowing the universe to mold you, and show you the way.

When I began doing what I love, which is showing people how they can be more fulfilled in their work, I thought I had to take a predetermined path to my destination.

And it almost stopped me, because I didn’t believe in myself. I saw so many others doing what I wanted to do, and they were more accomplished, had more knowledge, and were more successful.

Or, so it seemed.

I almost didn’t take action, but I’m glad I did.

The Biggest Pitfall

One of the biggest mistakes I made was trying to find the answers outside of myself when the answers were always inside.

I’m not saying you should abandon learning and research altogether, but for me, it reached a point where I had to listen to my heart, and feel where I should go.

I resisted going down this path for a long time, and I still sometimes do, because I’ve been a big fan of the mind, of logic.

However, I’ve realized that I don’t know it all, and when I listen to my heart, I seem to be led to more happiness, peace, and freedom in my life.

The early days were a struggle, but as I began seeing results, I started trusting my heart more and more.

I have in no way overcome this pitfall, because life ebbs and flows. Problems come and go. Patterns come and go.

Sometimes I’m more in tune with my inner wisdom, and sometimes I’m not. On the days that I’m not, I do my best to relax and do something else.

I do my best creative work when I’m connected to that inner wisdom, and it is that inner wisdom that guides me toward the life I secretly dream about.

Relaxing Into Your Calling, Purpose and Passion

I’ve always liked to plan myself into overwhelm. I’ve felt the need to do all the time, and to force progress, whether I liked it or not.

Only recently have I learned to relax into the present moment. I do this by using my body as an anchor. I notice what feelings and thoughts are present, and I relax into them.

I welcome them, and I allow them to do what they do. When I do this, they usually disappear all by themselves. Sometimes their friends and relatives join in, but that’s okay. I just stay present.

There will also be days where you feel like nothing is going wrong. Those are the most exciting days to stay present; because they help you grow your awareness muscle.

When I stay present, not only am I more connected to that inner wisdom and stillness, but I feel calmer and more at peace with myself.

I also realize that I don’t have to identify with my thoughts and feelings. Thoughts and feelings arise, sure, but I don’t have to feed the fire.

The problems begin when I create thoughts about the initial thoughts or feelings. This is also what stops me from simply allowing my dreams to unfold.

If I get a thought that’s scared, doubtful, or uncertain, and if I believe that thought, I’m trapped until I see through it.

When you stay present, as best you can, you let life unfold. Sometimes it’ll feel like chaos inside of your body, but that’s okay.

It’s the human experience.

You’ve been resisting it for a long time, so you may want to try something new.

Stay with it, breathe, and welcome it all.

Learning to Trust Who You Really Are

Most people want logical answers and guarantees. They want to know that they’ll get to realize their dreams. And I do, too, but those guarantees do not exist out there.

Those guarantees exist within you. You are your own guarantee.

When you learn to trust yourself, you will be led to where you need to be. And sometimes it won’t be pleasant, but as the Dalai Lama says: “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”

You never know where that inner voice will lead you. It takes you on wonderful adventures.

The present moment is what you make of it. Let your thoughts and feelings of worry and woe pass, and rest as that which is aware of all the chaos.

Because you are not your thoughts, you are the one who experiences it all.

There is an inner wisdom within each and every one of us, and it is constantly guiding you to the life you secretly dream about living.

It knows where to go. And it may guide you to a life that is even better than the one you secretly dream about.

If you want to live your dream life, learn to trust that inner voice. Learn to stay present, and learn to just be.

There is no rush.

There is only now.

Photo by frazels