Work is Your Love Made Visible

"I GET to go to work today!" 

How often do we hear anyone say that with genuine excitement? without a trace of sarcasm? Well, if you're lucky, you hear it a lot. I'm not sure how it happened, but I am surrounded  by people who LOVE what they do for "work". My own current job is the antithesis of that, for the most part. It is a reminder of what I don't want. Thankfully that is balanced out by my inspiring friends who have spent many years (in some cases, decades) creating the life they want for themselves and, in turn, positively impacting others in their lives. They are finding/have found what they're passionate about- what excites them and brings out the absolute best they have to offer. They make no excuses, take responsibility for their actions and commit to persevering even when it seems it's all going to fall apart. They would do it even if it didn't pay (because sometimes it didn't) for the simple fact they love it. It gives their lives meaning- they do it not because they are forced to, but because their existence has was created for that work- that love.

I'm jealous. I've spent the last few years loathing what I do and couldn't figure out how to change it. It all came to a head after a blind siding heartbreak and a trip to visit a dear friend who happens to be one of those people I was just talking about. Since the day I met him he has radiated a passion and love of life that is not frequently rivaled. I finally realized I can be one of those people. Sometimes we talk about amazing, talented, motivated people as though they are made up super heroes that don't really exist, and so there's no reason for us to even attempt to aspire to follow that path.

I'm about to prove that wrong. Those people are no more extraordinary than anyone else. The difference is they didn't let insecurity and fear stop them from doing what they wanted to do. They didn't allow the odds and statistics of potential failure influence what they wanted; what they knew they were meant to do.

What if you don't know what you want to do? I don't. It's a question I struggle with frequently. It seems SO simple "What do you want?" Why don't I know the answer to that? I'm changing my life without having an answer because I know if I stay where I am, I'll never find out. It's terrifying. I don't have a specific goal I'm going after; I just know I'm going after something different. I'm on a journey to find my love.

I don't know where this path will lead, but I want to find out. Security is an illusion that can be shattered and leave just as much devastation as having ventured out into the wilderness.  I posted this quote on my facebook awhile ago, "Ships are safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for." and a friend so graciously pointed out the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. Those ships weren't safe in harbor either. Moral of the story?

 

Live your best life. Do what you love. If you don't know what that is, go find out. Do it for you because the irony in doing what is best for you frequently results in being what's best for others too. Think about it- when we're unhappy, what good are we to anyone else?