Playing it safe is no fun.
Why not stir things up a bit ~ shake, rattle and roll??
I know that there have been many times in my life when there was something I really, really wanted. Something that inspired me and moved me and made me say YES! to being alive.
Hand and hand with that, I would say that often those things did not fit into the mold of living a nice, safe, comfortable life.
Living our dreams, going out on a limb, going for it ~ that takes risk. And risk is not always the most comfortable thing to experience. Especially for some of the people around us.
I don’t know what it is about doing something risky, but it seems to bring up all the worry and concern of the people around you. Ever notice that?
Who knows why? ( I have my theories ~ it has them be aware of all the dreams they missed out on, it has them have to look at the safe way they are living, they have been hurt and burned in the past and they fear that for anyone, especially someone they love)
Whatever the reason, it takes a bit of thick skin on your part to keep going for your dreams in the face of all that worry in concern. It’s a bit like a fish swimming upstream.
Well, I am here to tell you that it’s okay to rock the boat!
Really it is! In fact, I think you should be going for your dreams, stirring things up a bit. Too much of life is spent doing the “right thing” and sticking to our nice, safe, comfortable existence.
- What if you did go buy a bunch of paints and carved out some studio space in your basement?
- What if you signed yourself up for that photography class?
- What if you did sell the big, expensive house so you could live a more simple life and have time and money to travel?
- What if you did audition for that play?
- What if you invited all your friends over to share your latest culinary experiments?
- What if you went ahead and pulled your kids out of school so you could homeshool them?
- What if you started that novel?
Don’t you think the world would be a better place? With you in it ~ fully alive, pursuing your dreams, living with passion? I do.
So tell me… What is it that’s holding you back?
Don't miss a thing! 
Great post! There are times when I am full of vision and purpose (which is most of the time), but what tends to stop me is time and money….
I know though, that they need not and living a life of passion what I need to do.
living a life of passion pretty much always makes a difference!!
Beautiful Post!
Passion infuses us around here….sometimes. There are so many ways of being that I aspire to, projects I want/need to work on, a life we are trying to create. But the everyday reality of paying rent, “doing dishes” and living as three people together can take it all out of me. I’m lucky if I get to sit down and have the energy and write a blog post let alone work on a chapter or make something.
I hear ya Stacey!! It takes alot sometimes.. but oh so worth it when you DO sit down and write, huh?? I think that if we just force ourselves to do it, over time it will be something that we HAVE to do because it feeds us so much life. But that day to day does not really give us much space to spend time doing those things that we love, so have to make the time. It’s tricky. From reading your blog, I think you are doing great!!
It’s only me that stops me from doing the things I’m passionate about. But still, it seems I’m really really really good at stopping me…Taking baby steps though, and carving out a desk space, and space for an inspiriation board, and finally telling friends what I need and working out good, workable childcare swaps for decent blocks of time…looks like I’ll be getting what I need as soon as this week!!! I’m a bit excited, and it feels like a tidal wave is building and growing…
I like tidal waves!! Awesome that you are taking those baby steps toward your dreams! Let me know if you need any support, okay??
Just wanted to let you know I included a link to this in my blog’s weekly Reading Roundup (http://toniturbeville.typepad.com/tonis_treehouse/2010/07/reading-roundup-.html). Love those big “what if” questions!! Such a wonderful way to branch out and try new things.
Awww.. thanks!! Your blog is beautiful… xo
You’re absolutely right!
Right now I’m trying to decide whether to leave my secure, well-paid but completely uninspiring job to spend more time with my toddler. I have some part-time teaching but it’s not reliable and doesn’t pay quite enough to cover my bills. It’s a big risk!! But my sister said, we *always* find a way to work things out. Even if it means selling my CD collection and selling my book collection and getting some extra hours as a cleaner for a few weeks just to pay my bills, then so be it. I can sing, so at least I can always busk!!
Risk can be so scary.. BUT if you are really listening to your heart, I truly believe that it will always work out in the end and you will inevitably be happier.. even if the road to get there is a bit challenging.