All of us want to live lives of meaning and purpose in which we are using our talents and gifts and making a positive difference. Yet how many of us are actually fulfilling this call? Perhaps a lucky few of us get up each day filled with energy and enthusiasm and a deep inner knowing that we are doing what our soul came here to do.
It’s my belief that each of us has a unique purpose that only we can fulfill. That in our hearts, we yearn to complete that mission. This may or may not take the form of a career. Our purpose may be multifaceted and most likely will change at different stages of life. It may take the form of volunteer work, a hobby, caring for an elderly parent, raising our children or starting a new business.
From what I have seen as a coach, many of us get pulled off track at a young age from fulfilling our passion due to losing touch with our deeper self. We get caught up in people pleasing–often as children–and disconnect from our own dreams, talents and gifts. We’ll please our parents, teachers and other authority figures before ourselves. This can cause years of lost time, buried ambitions and missed opportunities.
At a certain point in life, this inauthenticity often becomes unbearable, situations erupt, perfect storms are created and a rupture happens. Life as we know it is simply no longer working. The soul wants to be heard and recognized…and we’re being given a chance to begin again. The question is, will we listen and chose differently?
It is never too late to fulfill a calling. I work with clients of all ages, many in their 50’s and beyond, who are launching out, starting over and taking the brave, bold steps to do what is in their hearts. They often feel an urgency that it is now or never; that if they do not listen to this yearning their lives will be left incomplete.
Life has a way of being very forgiving and supportive when we trust in our resourcefulness and give ourselves a chance. I have experienced this personally when, in my 50’s, I moved across the country, left a familiar world behind, and started all over. When listening to our inner promptings, we’re guided to take the next steps towards completing our deeper mission and purpose. This can happen at any age.
It’s normal to have doubt and lose confidence when taking a leap that feels risky and uncertain. My own life-transforming change included coaching and mentorship through the process, which provided an important steady hand and a keen, reassuring eye on my bigger picture.
Is it scary and hard at times? Yes! Does it require faith, grit and determination? You bet. Are there obstacles to overcome and dragons to slay along the way? Undoubtedly. Yet, the wisdom and gifts gained make it well worth it.
This is the classic Hero’s Journey written about by Joseph Campbell and many others. We are all being called to be the heroes of our own lives—now more than ever. The world needs us all to maximize our abilities and to bring our best game to the table not only for our own fulfillment and happiness, but for the survival of the earth as a whole.
You can learn more about my personal journey in the newly published book, Dare to be Authentic: Learning to Trust Yourself, Vol. 3, On sale now at Amazon. Click here.
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