We all go through cycles in our lives when we know exactly where we are and what we want to do with the rest of our lives. We also go through cycles of anguish and disarray where we don't exactly know what we want in life.
Today, you may feel ready to face the challenges of the world. You want to drop and leave everything you've been doing the past x-number of years and go for what you may perceive as your life-goal. The next day, you are faced with a more than muddy picture of what your future may be. Not only that, you spend the rest of your miserable time wondering what you are meant to do in this world.
Being in the state of clarity exhausts me as much as being in the state of confusion. There are days when I feel the need to get away from my current surroundings. In the business world, they refer to this as burn-out. For writers, they call it writer's block. Artists refer to it as losing their muse or "uninspiration". Regardless of what they are called, the results are the same: fatigue or apathy.
Also, if you are like me, you go through a third cycle where the thought of pursuing your dreams terrifies you more than anything else. You ask, why are you scared when you have the means to fulfill your dreams? Short answer: I don't know. Real answer: Fulfilling my dreams will affect so many aspects (and so many people) in my life that I am afraid to risk it. So, does this mean that I will have to be content with my current state in life?
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In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, the character Santiago is a shepherd whose personal legend is clearly defined, and which drove him to find his treasure in the Egyptian Pyramids. As Santiago sets foot to find his treasure, he meets several other characters along the way. Some of whom have already fulfilled their personal legends, and some who chose not to. What do you think happened to the characters who chose not to fulfill their dreams?
Simple. They ended up with the perpetual desire to fulfill their personal legends. Do you want to live the rest of your life wishing that you had achieved your life-goal? How about the other responsibilities that you currently have (the ones keeping you from fulfilling your dream)? Do you just forget about them? No, of course not. You plan, as needed.
How about for some people who are not so clear as to what their personal legends are? You need to listen closely. But, do not think about it too much. I think that the heart speaks softly so we may sometimes need to ignore what our minds are telling us. Then we return to our minds to understand and plan what we need to do to fulfill our dreams.
The alchemist said, "Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart."
But remember, knowing what your personal legend is different from fulfilling it. Do you already know what your personal legend is? Have you already fulfilled it, or did you choose not to follow your dreams?
Rambling Gypsy