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It was nearly seven years ago when I found myself dead thick in the midst of searching for some kind of instant “quick fix” solution for my life. Some kind of magic wand I could just wave over my problems and my issues and then POOF, just like that they’d miraculously disappear into thin air never to resurface again.
I went on this spiritual manhunt because so many crucial aspects of my life felt like they just flat out weren’t working anymore.
I could’ve sworn I was doing “everything right,” but it didn’t matter because I never seemingly achieved the desired results I’d hoped for, of love, joy, happiness, success, abundance and purpose. At that time in my life I honestly didn’t know what else I could even do.
I mean seriously, I read so many damn self-help books I lost count…
I watched countless inspirational videos and sought the advice of incredibly talented, influential guides and spiritual counselors. I’d taken incredible classes and workshops, and have been lucky enough to attend amazing retreats facilitated by some of the world’s most renowned teachers who are involved in the healing arts.
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I was soul searching, looking for that guru, or some other form of motivational high that would sweep me off my feet, whisking me away to some quick fix solution and instantly solve my problems.
Of course that never happened so I continued along feeling like something was always deeply missing, but even more troubling, I continued feeling like something was always deeply wrong.
My mind, body, and spirit felt disconnected. No matter what I did, I constantly felt I like I was “lacking” something, regardless of what I materially possessed, the amount I earned, or whatever other external merits awarded to me.
Life begins the moment you put away all the tools you think you need to live your dreams, and actually go out and live them… |
The truth is I never felt like I had enough because of the black-hole sized void within me, acting as a super-powered vacuum suctioning the life out of my soul.
It’s no wonder that back then I believed my life was of little value and had absolutely zero understanding of the concept of self-worth or what it even meant. When I resisted these feelings or tried to push them away, the more intense and messy life became.
I’ll admit, I was pretty exhausted from fighting with life. I learned this the hard way, but as much as you think you are controlling life and directing the way it flows, you’re not, and if you fight life, life always wins.
I was ready to surrender, I just didn’t fully know how or understand what that meant yet.
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Then I rediscovered the truth.
I realized the solution I was searching for had literally been staring back at me in my own reflection this entire time. There was my answer, The Man in the Mirror and the remembrance that everything I need is, and always was already within me.
This insight was like a lightening bolt from the heavens and shocked me back to reality, and this time my eyes had been opened to something I could never shut them from again, the truth, and from that moment forward I chose to consciously Live Now.
Then I saw how the life I had dreamed of living had always been accessible, I just couldn’t see it at the time because of the constant distraction of continually looking outside myself for all the answers.
Honestly, it takes getting so fed up with your own bullshit and like a dog chasing its own tail, running mindlessly around in circles inside your own brain.
More importantly, it takes becoming so sick and tired of putting off the most important thing in your life … you.
Then finally it takes believing in yourself enough to know you have what it takes to create a better life, and then taking the positive action to go out and do it.
Now what I’m about to say next may sound counterproductive to you because we’ve all been conditioned in some way to believe we will never be ready unless we constantly prepare, plan, and goal-set. It’s really no surprise why the day where you’ll go out and “seize the day” never comes for so many.
Life begins the moment you put away all the tools you think you need to live your dreams, and actually go out and live them…
So what does that mean?
Well, here’s what I mean and you may think I’m really crazy because it pretty much goes against nearly everything we’ve had drilled into our brains by every power structure that is, including the so-called spiritual community (yes, I’m calling you out too *wink, wink).
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I’m telling you life begins the moment you toss out the checklists, to-do lists, visualization boards, manifestation and meditation practices, along with anything else you think you need to “call in” to become something else other than who you are NOW.
I call it the “F*** It, I’M READY technique,” and it works like a charm of pulling you out from the pattern of reducing otherwise healthy, healing practices designed to enhance and strengthen your “readiness,” into nothing but barriers, blocks, obstacles and just another excuse as to why you aren’t ready to start living now.
You don’t need some sacred ritual to “become ready,” you simply become ready by taking conscious action and doing, and then trusting whatever other necessary tools you need will be provided as you go along.
The pity party is over. Say goodbye to your story of victimization and call your new story “Empowerment.”
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Magic really happens when you finally realize you don’t actually need to “become” anything because you already are everything, and already have everything you need within you to move forward now into the dream you’d like to create.
But magic can only happen if you believe it can in the first place, and by magic, I’m actually referring to: you have to believe in you, and this begins by leaving behind the bullshit you tell yourself about “why you can’t do something,” and kicking the “should haves,” “would haves,” and the “what could’ve beens” to curb.
You’re only sabotaging yourself by constantly claiming you’re stuck or lost, instead of focusing your energy into transforming the breakdowns you’ve had into breakthroughs and smashing through all the self-imposed limitations you’ve placed on yourself. You are not helpless, level the f*** up.
You really want start living your dreams? Then the pity party is over. Say goodbye to your story of victimization and call your new story “Empowerment.”
You have to decide you believe it’s possible to create a meaningful, joy-filled life despite whatever circumstances you currently may be facing now.
Grant life permission to do its thing. Allow it mold, shape, shift, transform, evolve, change and grow you, and realize all this will happen without any interference of your own. A simple invitation is all it takes, and before you know it everything you need to safely advance forward will be supplied all without forcing it into existence or needing to control how it happens. This “bigger picture” of opportunity and possible future you can see yourself living doesn’t have to be something that might come one day because in actuality it’s already here and happening now, it simply just needs your initiation to become the reality you’ve created. Life’s already supplied you with the experiences needed for you to feel capable of making movement towards creating your dream.
Not next week.
Not next month.
Not next year, but right now.
Stop talking about your dreams and live them.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images