Illumined Life Leadership

We’re all familiar with this phrase yet few of us really take its advice.   Have you ever used it to convince yourself of a path you must take?  Isn’t it funny that when someone does, everyone else thinks they’re crazy?

I think we were all born with a purpose and no map.

The purpose is what drives us.  What we love to do and wouldn’t mind doing forever if given the opportunity.

The map we must create ourselves.   It’s created by knowing with full conviction where you need to go and not stopping until you get there.  This map is written as you go or sometimes in sections, tweaking it along the way a little to the North, left or right, etc.

 If I had a penny for every single time someone tells me, “I’m tired but I don’t know why”, I’d be writing this sitting in my 80 foot yacht.   This feeling of being “tired” groggy, or a case of the walking dead, I believe, is just your heart sending signals to your brain that we can’t keep going the wrong way.  It’s your heart saying, “I need to find my purpose, please. “

Your brain’s response is to send the archenemy, Fear.  Brain needs to know you’re ready for anything that comes your way (like those that will think you’re crazy).   You must believe in your heart that Fear is a giant bully, only if you let him.  You must push Fear hard, and drag his ass to the ground.  Once Fear is laying on the ground panting for breath and afraid of you, this is when the brain knows it can’t mess with you.  Put on your walking shoes warrior, you’re ready for that road ahead.  You can handle bad weather, people’s negative comments or any other negative influence that will try darn hard to stop you along the way.  All these are needed in order to test you on how bad you really want it.  Next thing you know, the brain and the heart work together to draft out that map we all want to find.

But remember this: Finding that map will take courage, determination and perseverance. But it’s not life threatening. You’ll just be asked every single day, “How bad do you want it?”  Don’t use finances, family, upbringing, age or even certain situations as an excuse. If you want it bad enough, you’ll find a way.

During the drafting of my life map,  I figured along the way that helping people is what makes me the happiest.  I discovered, this is my main purpose in life.  I actively take courses, attend workshops, read books, and (my favorite) listen to as many podcasts on the subject as I possibly can.  Every chance I get, I work on what I’ve decided to pursue: to help people. I don’t plan on ever stopping.  My goal is to enjoy and to exercise my purpose for as long as I live.  I’m reaping the benefits by just doing this.

So next time you tell yourself or your kids “Do what you love”  say it with conviction.  Doesn’t matter what it is they want to be that day.  Say it and mean it.

Un abrazo!

Ralph