It’s almost August and I still have no idea if I’ll be returning to teach at 2 schools in September.
Do I choose to see this as an obstacle or an opportunity?
For too many years I have been stuck in obstacle-mindset. Even as I was developing my Inspired Connection programs (Hush-Heart-Lift-Flow) I hit a wall when it came to thinking big. I couldn’t get past “No, that won’t possibly work”.
But in meditation today I must have crossed a tipping point (or else it is this glorious Oregon weather), for I finally found the strength and inner freedom to really take a look at what I want to do with my time and energy.
Hiding behind safety
Looking back at what has kept me from fully pursuing my unique career, I realize that I often hide behind what is easy, accessible, mainstream, and SAFE. For instance, teaching a class of 40 beginner 4th grade cellists has been exactly that. I even got benefits! And now I don’t know if I will be back to teach them this year.
So today I put on my big boy pants, quickly bypassed any lingering feeling of woe, and returned to the drawing board I developed 7 years ago.
Two essential questions
This time, I started with some different questions: What would my career look like if I didn’t need worry about money? What would I choose my career to encompass if I had no fear or limitation? The ideas that came expanded my heart and gave me hope.
It comes down to this: I love to play/perform, teach, write and speak, and I love to help others tip towards the source of their happiness and inspiration by sharing what I’ve learned through music and meditation. The opportunities here are bigger than I have ever considered.
So, if opportunities have always been there, what has held me back?
FEAR.
I have lived with fear ever since I was a young boy—and it never served me well. Fear of not being good enough, fear of muscle failure, fear of angry people, you name it.
But I realized that no matter how good I became, or how strong, or how powerful, I might never escape the hold that fear had on me.
The blessing of a tipping point
Today I am blessed with a gift of courage, clarity, and insight. I am able to truly see opportunity instead of the obstacles this pandemic has brought.
So I’m taking the successes of this past 9 months to leverage this tipping point moment. I’m cashing in my “here are the reasons that won’t work” chips (funny how I prided myself with my critical thinking) in exchange for energy to pour into clarifying what I love to do, and creatively finding ways to make it work.
Will it be easy? Of course not. Will I have to learn the ins and outs of LinkedIn? Most certainly (oh boy). Will I get the opportunity to rise to challenges and overcome learning curves? For certain.
I used to give up when things didn’t come easily. But as I wrote last week, I’m becoming addicted to growth.
So I’ll ask you, what opportunities can you see for yourself? Are you ready to lay down fear in order to hold the precious gift of opportunities that await you? Friend, I’m there with you. Please let me know if I can help support you in these times that test us all.