Discovering Your Right Livelihood
by Sooz Kelly

As youngsters, all of us were asked the question, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" As adults - some of us with several decades in the work force - many of us are still asking ourselves that question. It's pretty scary to be age 30 or 40 or 50 and still not know the answer.

Some of us have always known what we wanted to be when we grew up, but somehow got distracted from following that path we dreamed of as a youngster. After nearly three decades of not always following my heart's desire, it's becoming more and more important to me to rediscover the joy of jumping out of bed in the morning, excited about the promises and challenges of each day. Some days I need a little extra boost. On my dressing table, I've created a small altar to assist in the process. It consists of a framed message which reads "It's never too late to turn your life around," and two small stones - one engraved with the word 'Dream' and the other with the word 'Believe.'

If you find yourself struggling and find your work environment in conflict with your personal values, this is a fairly good indication that you are not following your right livelihood.

The symptoms are easy to diagnose:

• You begin to feel a knot in your stomach and feelings of anxiety as Sunday evening approaches and you think about the work week ahead;
• Each morning when the alarm goes off, you want to pull the covers over your head and hide
• You begin to examine the conflict between your personal values and those of your employer;
• You believe you are solely responsible for the increase in sales for antacid products;
• Coworkers, supervisors, clients and everyone you're in contact with begin to drive you crazy;
• You begin perusing the 'help wanted' ads;
• You refer to retirement as 'being eligible for parole';
• You think that Tom Hanks didn't have it so bad in the film 'Castaway'

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, what can you do to begin making some changes in your life?

• Start making a list - what activities bring joy and passion into your life? If you aren't making time for these activities, start doing them now!
• Do you still have the dream of what you want to be when you grow up, but you aren't following that dream? Find a photograph or some type of symbol of that dream and place it in your work area. When you become frustrated or anxious, take a look at your symbol or photograph and KNOW that you can make it happen.
• Rewrite your personal history. No, you don't have to lie or make up things that didn't happen. Just take a more positive look at your life. Turn negatives into positives. Be your own PR person. Sell yourself TO yourself.

Know that if you dream it, you can be it.

About the author:
Sooz Kelly is the featured writer on PassionSpirit.com. Visit Sooz's personal website: SoozKelly.com.

Interested in learning more? Here's some of our recommended reading:

Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow - Discovering Your Right Livelihood
by Marsha Sinetar

To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love: The Spiritual Dimension of Entrepreneuring
by Marsha Sinetar

copyright 2001 Sumaree Promotions All Rights Reserved

FEATURE ARTICLES  |  FOOD & NUTRITION  |  WOMEN'S HEALTH  |  SIMPLE PASSIONS  |  FUN STUFF
PASSIONSPIRIT MALL  |  BOOKSTORE  |  COMMUNITY - CAFÉ  | HOME