My daughter Lynne, a practicing psychologist in CA, recently took a leap of faith and left her job with no other job waiting for her or even prospects lined up. She was working in a hospital ER department and felt sapped of energy, inspiration and fulfillment. Slowly, piece by piece, she was being stripped of what makes her happy.
Remember the movie, You've Got Mail? A small, independent bookstore owner was being forced out of business by a big name conglomerate that moved into the neighborhood. She tried to keep her store open as long as possible, but finally made the decision to close it. Her friend told her, much as she wasn't ready to believe it at the time, that, "Closing the store is the brave thing to do. You are daring to imagine that you could have a different life."
That's a pretty powerful statement. How many times do we get stuck in the familiar, fighting to keep it the way it is, even when it doesn't fulfill us? Even when it continually drags us under and makes us want to stay in with the covers thrown over our heads? Fear is one of the most powerful emotions there is and it can blindside, distract and hold us down if we let it. It's full of "buts", "what-ifs", and "I cant's". It's pretty paralyzing.
But life has a way of letting us know when it's time to let something go, try something new or step out into the unknown, even when we don't know where it will take us. The trick is for us to pay attention to how we're feeling about the present situation. If we feel yucky, tired, scared, depressed - you get the picture - then it's time to see ourselves in a new light. Hmmm.....what if? Is it possible? Is there even the slightest chance? What if this dream of mine can come true? Just IMAGINE. That's where bravery comes into the picture.
I think courage, or rather the lack of, is really where we get tripped up. Change isn't always easy so we stay close to what we know, even if it's uncomfortable. In a bizarre way, there's a comfort in being uncomfortable. But if we can just for a moment, step away and imagine being truly happy, content and fulfilled, we find the strength and will within to move in a different direction. Especially when we're moving because it resonates to our heart, and not just a logistical, makes sense kind of thing, we step off the cliff, trusting that we'll be caught by something wonderful.
"Closing the store" means different things for each one of us, but if we're honest with ourselves in acknowledging our true feelings, I believe we will be able to imagine something new and find within ourselves every bit of courage we need to step into the wonderful.
Since Lynne made her decision to step away from what was unhappy for her and into that 'other' place that was as yet unknown to her, a series of open doors and exciting new possibilities has occurred, and in a very short time. She leaves soon to explore an exciting opportunity working in a boarding school with teenagers in a foreign country. She'll be able to practice her field in a creative, non-traditional way, both at the school and in the wilderness adventure activities that's part of the curriculum - all of which will satisfy the dream that she's carried in her heart.
I know that Lynne's been caught by protective and loving arms when she 'Closed her store', so I'll keep you posted on her new life adventure.
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