Each day I go to my studio full of joy; in the evening when obliged to stop because of darkness I can scarcely wait for the morning to come . . .
My work is not only a pleasure, it has become a necessity. No matter how many other things I have in my life, if I cannot give myself to my dear painting I am miserable.” –William Bouguereau
Many of us have ingrained beliefs standing in the way of accepting our life’s purpose. Often these beliefs come from people who shaped our thinking when we were children. Though usually well intended, those teachings may have directed you away from your purpose and toward occupations or activities that you will never be more than good at because you lack passion for them, or even dislike them. Spending your life this way is a waste of precious you.
Here are some examples of purpose impeding beliefs:
When you grow up, you should get a safe job and keep it. (Safe to the ego and safe to the spirit are two very different things)
Work has to be laborious and difficult to really be counted as work.
Don’t try new things, follow the old ways.
Choose a career based on the pay.
You should be a ______________ (insert title), it would make _____________ (someone other than you) happy.
Your interests are just hobbies; you can’t make a living on them.
All we’ve ever wanted was to have a _______________ in the family.
Don’t change careers or start your own business, hold on to what you have and don’t take risks.
The goal is to work until you can retire, and then you will be happy.
Don’t try to reinvent the wheel.
Joseph Campbell, the renowned mystic, said, “Follow your bliss.”
Many replied: I wish I could, but I have bills to pay.
Finding work related to something you love takes time, perseverance and effort (like all worthwhile pursuits). Yet, ultimately, you will be more successful. It will lead to excellence because you’ll have the willingness, stamina and endurance required to weather the difficulties and stay focused. Excellence attracts attention.
Real passion supplies the energy, enthusiasm, and interest required to attract, notice, and pursue exceptional opportunities. You’ll make more money, but money is only a part of success, not the best part. The most wonderful aspect of real success is the personal satisfaction, fulfillment, love and joy that emanates from living your life aligned with your purpose.
What is it that you want to do? Give yourself permission to start now. Don’t agitate yourself or situation by abruptly quitting your current job. Start a new venture or pursue your interest on the side.
Support yourself by DOING what you want. If you want to write, start writing, to paint, start painting, you get the idea. If you want to start a business, write your business plan, put the pieces together and figure out how you can start. Don’t wait for the right time. It all begins with you.
Go in the direction of whatever makes your heart sing and let Spirit work out the details.
loved this and the picture***thank you**
I will start NOW! thank you<3
I will start NOW! thank you<3
p.s. can you help me out here? what is a business plan?
p.s. can you help me out here? what is a business plan?
Cynthia..thank you for this post. I’ve missed your wonderful insights on living your best life, your dreams and plans. Your self motivation talks are truly thought provoking. And the meditations helped me so much. The femininity posts are nice, but you really shine in the new age, spiritual, self motivational area. The most heartfelt job I ever had was starting from scratch a botique in the tiny N. California town of Crescent City back in 1995. It was my inspiration, and I never knew that year if it was sunny or rainy, one in the afternoon, or one in the morning. I was transported to pure joy every day. The creative process was 24/7 and I was in my element. All darkness became light, because I couldn’t fathom darkness. Thinking about it now accelerates my heart beat and makes me smile. I believe it’s called “in the zone”. Best feeling in the world, and I’ll bet you know just what I mean…namaste.
Cynthia..thank you for this post. I’ve missed your wonderful insights on living your best life, your dreams and plans. Your self motivation talks are truly thought provoking. And the meditations helped me so much. The femininity posts are nice, but you really shine in the new age, spiritual, self motivational area. The most heartfelt job I ever had was starting from scratch a botique in the tiny N. California town of Crescent City back in 1995. It was my inspiration, and I never knew that year if it was sunny or rainy, one in the afternoon, or one in the morning. I was transported to pure joy every day. The creative process was 24/7 and I was in my element. All darkness became light, because I couldn’t fathom darkness. Thinking about it now accelerates my heart beat and makes me smile. I believe it’s called “in the zone”. Best feeling in the world, and I’ll bet you know just what I mean…namaste.
Elizabeth Peterson – Crescent City is wonderful. I grew up in Northern California. I feel what you are saying. I LOOOVE being in the zone, I am there more than ever now. It makes success SO much more likely because the “work” is really play. I play every single day and at all hours. The biggest challenge is making sure I don’t play so much that my loved ones miss me. 🙂
Every day I receive messages or comments on my blog like yours saying I’m best at motivation, while others beg me to stick to femininity. To me, it’s all the same. This post and all of the comments I’ve made today are inspired by my book’s section on femininity and work. The work/career conversation is so different with women. Children, either or choices, pregnancy, longer lifespan, risk aversion, sensitivity, unequal pay challenges, and so much more pervade the discussion. It’s all interconnected. I am grateful that some things are helpful for you (that’s my success).
Should you ever want to read about a specific topic, search the search box on my blog (https://thebeautifullifeschool.com) I have written hundreds of posts and at least 70% of it is inspiration/motivation/spiritual.
As always, I enjoy you.
Elizabeth Peterson – Crescent City is wonderful. I grew up in Northern California. I feel what you are saying. I LOOOVE being in the zone, I am there more than ever now. It makes success SO much more likely because the “work” is really play. I play every single day and at all hours. The biggest challenge is making sure I don’t play so much that my loved ones miss me. 🙂
Every day I receive messages or comments on my blog like yours saying I’m best at motivation, while others beg me to stick to femininity. To me, it’s all the same. This post and all of the comments I’ve made today are inspired by my book’s section on femininity and work. The work/career conversation is so different with women. Children, either or choices, pregnancy, longer lifespan, risk aversion, sensitivity, unequal pay challenges, and so much more pervade the discussion. It’s all interconnected. I am grateful that some things are helpful for you (that’s my success).
Should you ever want to read about a specific topic, search the search box on my blog (https://thebeautifullifeschool.com) I have written hundreds of posts and at least 70% of it is inspiration/motivation/spiritual.
As always, I enjoy you.
Cynthia…I really loved Humboldt County, and Arcata so much that I pined literally for them for years. Just wans’t enough “income” there…hmmmm that sounds familiar. Same with Crescent City. I used to have a kind of income based life, so ended up in San Diego. Now I’m family based and ended up in Australia. I think that I love more places than I can handle.
Cynthia…I really loved Humboldt County, and Arcata so much that I pined literally for them for years. Just wans’t enough “income” there…hmmmm that sounds familiar. Same with Crescent City. I used to have a kind of income based life, so ended up in San Diego. Now I’m family based and ended up in Australia. I think that I love more places than I can handle.
Tosha Nicholas – No worries. The good news is your purpose exists. Your work/play is to discover it. Happy childhood moments often contain the clues to latent passions. All children have innate gifts. Some love to talk and connect, like therapists, coaches, teachers and speakers. Many children come alive when expressing themselves through painting, sculpting, building or singing. There are a plethora of adult professions in these fields. Every heart-based passion can be connected to a career, even things you love but have no talent for have career related to them that could be right for you. Ask yourself. Ask the Universe. Follow your glow. What brings you to life? List them, let them simmer and see what’s related to them. Let it come.
Tosha Nicholas – No worries. The good news is your purpose exists. Your work/play is to discover it. Happy childhood moments often contain the clues to latent passions. All children have innate gifts. Some love to talk and connect, like therapists, coaches, teachers and speakers. Many children come alive when expressing themselves through painting, sculpting, building or singing. There are a plethora of adult professions in these fields. Every heart-based passion can be connected to a career, even things you love but have no talent for have career related to them that could be right for you. Ask yourself. Ask the Universe. Follow your glow. What brings you to life? List them, let them simmer and see what’s related to them. Let it come.
Elizabeth Peterson – Being the Superhero Gypsie Adventurer that you are, I don’t doubt it. 🙂
Elizabeth Peterson – Being the Superhero Gypsie Adventurer that you are, I don’t doubt it. 🙂
Life is Beautiful when lived from the spirit!!
Life is Beautiful when lived from the spirit!!
Such a great picture…alignment with your life purpose calls Source to all aspects of your being. You are certainly Inspiration itself Cynthia – divinely so. Thank you very much.
Such a great picture…alignment with your life purpose calls Source to all aspects of your being. You are certainly Inspiration itself Cynthia – divinely so. Thank you very much.
Hi Cynthia…I have heard every one of the objections to doing life’s dream. Some were told to me by others, and some were self imposed. The thing is: life’s way too short to bypass what you want in favor of not displeasing someone else. Life is too precious. That said, I went ahead without considering whether or not it was wise. I was too young and too inexperienced to be scared. There were no consequences. There may have been mistakes, but I certainly was fully engaged and fully present. Living the perfect life and not even aware of it…only how fulfilled and happy I was…to everyone out there, listen to yourself, be present and trust this wonderful universe that wants to be your friend. Thanks Cynthia, for this thought provoking post. Love it…
Hi Cynthia…I have heard every one of the objections to doing life’s dream. Some were told to me by others, and some were self imposed. The thing is: life’s way too short to bypass what you want in favor of not displeasing someone else. Life is too precious. That said, I went ahead without considering whether or not it was wise. I was too young and too inexperienced to be scared. There were no consequences. There may have been mistakes, but I certainly was fully engaged and fully present. Living the perfect life and not even aware of it…only how fulfilled and happy I was…to everyone out there, listen to yourself, be present and trust this wonderful universe that wants to be your friend. Thanks Cynthia, for this thought provoking post. Love it…
Joy Amma Ansah – Just reflecting you <3
Joy Amma Ansah – Just reflecting you <3
Elizabeth Peterson – You are so good for me.
Elizabeth Peterson – You are so good for me.
‘s jeune fille se defendant contre l amour’ by Bouguereau is the perfect picture for this link great choice.
‘s jeune fille se defendant contre l amour’ by Bouguereau is the perfect picture for this link great choice.
I absolutely adore Bouguereau Christene Britton-Jones Cartwright
I absolutely adore Bouguereau Christene Britton-Jones Cartwright
So timely … thank you!! Hugs ~ B <3
So timely … thank you!! Hugs ~ B <3
As you are for me…someone said…we teach what we want to learn. So true…
As you are for me…someone said…we teach what we want to learn. So true…
Cynthia!! I have been following you on fb and now pinterest…fb for quite some time now. You are a total inspiration to me!!!! You are a Godsend, I truly believe that. Thank you so much! I am trying to find online how I can contact you, I would be so honored to have you as my life coach and am really ready to get started! I am interested in personal and business!! I know you are the ONE!!!! Could you please let me know how I can reach you or whom it is I need to speak with so I can finally live the passionate life I so long for? Thank you so much!! .
God Bless you!
Peace and love,
Erica
Cynthia!! I have been following you on fb and now pinterest…fb for quite some time now. You are a total inspiration to me!!!! You are a Godsend, I truly believe that. Thank you so much! I am trying to find online how I can contact you, I would be so honored to have you as my life coach and am really ready to get started! I am interested in personal and business!! I know you are the ONE!!!! Could you please let me know how I can reach you or whom it is I need to speak with so I can finally live the passionate life I so long for? Thank you so much!! .
God Bless you!
Peace and love,
Erica