“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”
A good friend reminded me of this the other day. Life isn’t about finding a magical “cure all” tablet for happiness, success or whatever’s supposed to happen next. It’s more of a process of learning and developing our inner truths. It really is ok to cry, it’s ok to ask questions and it’s definitely ok look for more. After all, when we are weak, then we are strong….and it is in these moments of discomfort that we discover our stronger selves.
What do you do when you feel unsettled?
I’d really like to know. I’m pining for change, or some sort of uplifting direction in my life but I don’t know what or where to start. Or even how to make it happen. It’s very unsettling. I’m not sure where I belong or who I identify with. I go back and forth on the purpose I’m after. I chase after opportunity, but it somehow slips away every time I reach out to grab it. I’ve “thrown myself out there” to meet the guy of my dreams or companion to call my own, but end up learning from experience instead.
Of course I’m thankful for my life thus far, but I know I’m not meant to settle either. There’s a lot more to life than listlessly floating through obligations. There’s hope, reward and soul that needs to be refreshed.
Sigh…I know I need to make it happen, but what? Or how?
Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are all, quite naturally, impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient or being on the way to something unknown, something new, and yet it is the law of all progress that is made by passing through some stages of instability – and that it may take a very long time.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ
Hold on to your child like wonder
Oftentimes, in keeping up with the demands of our adult lives, we restrain our free spirits and wear masks of uncomfortable maturity. Of course we can’t be kids forever. Of course we can’t always be gullible, naive and ignorant of the way the world actually works. But….of course, we also shouldn’t let go of of our childlike wonder.
Children have a wonderful fascination for life and the beauty it perceives. They have such an untainted trust for others and hope for the future that keeps them inspired. As we’ve gotten older and have more to live up to, we should never forget how great it felt to be amazed by life. Little things are really meant to be amusing. Ice cream sure can’t fix a bad day, but it definitely makes it better. Let the simple joys spoil you.
Let yourself be awed by the little things in your grown up life. Keep the faith. Learn to trust again. Don’t allow yourself to be desensitized to the world around you.
Think about how things are predestined or beautifully by chance. Fascinate yourself with what you’re passionate about. Be fascinated that you can be fascinated. Be glad. Be grateful. Be proud of yourself. Give yourself a metaphorical gold star when you accomplish something. Do not let the fire burn out of your soul.
Never let go of your childlike wonder. Hold on to what keeps you warm, fuzzy and hopeful inside.
The 30-something shift
This is EXACTLY what my life feels like. Kudos to her for writing about the angst, questions and change so eloquently.
“What’ll we do with ourselves this afternoon?” cried Daisy,
“and the day after that, and the next thirty years?”
The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
Start running. Start dancing. Start studying to train as a medic. Start a church. Apply for a transfer to New York. Transfer to London from Minneapolis. Move to Abu Dhabi. Move to Thailand. Move to Moldova. Move to South Sudan. Quit your job without having a new job to go to…
All of these things have all happened to me and my friends in the past couple of years. And we’ve all either turned or are about to turn thirty.
When we were teenagers we were all told we’d have several careers in our lifetimes. The days of one-job for life were long gone, and the time where you’d only do one thing in your life were numbered when we were 16. Now they are definitely…
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30 is NOT the new 20
Invest in an identity capital to help you define the outcome and lifestyle you aim for. Here’s a good pep talk and call to arms on being true to you.
Inferiority, identity, reality
I’m not going to sugarcoat this at all, but I’m struggling to defeat an inferiority complex. I’ve always been the idealistic girl with a lot of faith in humanity, despite our varying backgrounds on social strata, race, faith, privilege, and life paths. Of course, I’ve always seen and known about prejudice, stereotypes and the challenges that arise from that. But to experience it in the most subliminal ways, in ways that can simply be scoffed at and yet still have us questioning our identity…..those are all too real. Not just real, but painful, common and recent. I’m trying my hardest not to let it get to me, but it’s literally eating at my core.
The question is: who am I in the midst of all of that? Do I stand out or do I blend in? What am i doing about it? This is clearly a defining point and I need to make the most of it.
Ako ay matatag na babae. Panginoon, tulungan nyo po ako.
When was the last time you woke up and realized that today could be the best day of your life? Participate in your dreams today. There are unlimited opportunities with this new day. Take action on those wonderful dreams you’ve had in your mind for so long. Remember, success is something you experience when you act accordingly. Success is not something you HAVE, it’s something you DO.
elegant simplicities 