Drawing That Line
Did you ever sign up for something and almost instantly regret it? Like, maybe at the time you were thinking, “Well, my initial answer is no, but this might be a good learning experience for me…” Then you get roped in to a little more, and a little more, and before long it snowballs out of control. Suddenly everyone is telling you what you should do, and just because you don’t want to, what does that matter?
I’m here to tell you: It matters. If you’re not actively going after your goals, then you’re ripe for getting into one of these traps.
When your feet are firmly on your path, then the path should ultimately get you where you want to go. Bear in mind that the journey may not be a straight line. (Much like the journey in The Alchemist, which is one of my very favorite books. The main character, Santiago, follows his dreams in search of treasure, and he’s helped out by amazing characters along the way. Where his journey leads him will blow your mind. Paolo Coelho. Brilliant writer.) But, back to our paths: If we’re uncertain of our footing, or we’re hovering above the ground unable to make a solid decision, we are easily pushed off our path.
Sure, getting further and further off our chosen path can, at times, be a good thing. Sometimes we need to open our minds and give ourselves new choices. But when we feel it in our bones that we’re not where we want to be--that’s what we’re talking about here—when we suddenly realize our whole life has us saying, “I don’t want to, but I guess I’ll do it…” What’s compelling us forward? Anything? Nothing? (I love that word compelling. It’s just irresistible.)
At the same time, we all know someone who seems like they were born for a specific purpose. Someone who was put on this planet to do a certain thing--and not only did they figure out what that thing was, but they focused on it, went for it, and they found success at it. Some would say those people are “aligned” or “following their calling.” Everything they touch turns to gold. It’s work, of course, but they’re not working against the grain at every turn. They’re doing what they’re meant to do.
We can all be successful like that, and I think our success starts with tuning out everyone who’s telling us what we should do. For all of their suggestions, “No, thank you,” becomes our new mantra until we see the path we really want. Not “Maybe” or “I guess so.” Just no. Hard stop.
Sometimes drawing this No Crossing line in the sand is the most powerful thing we can do. Here’s to small gestures with big rewards.
