“When I run after what I think I want my days are a furnace of stress and anxiety; if I sit in my own place of patience, what I need flows to me and without pain.” Rumi
This notion could not feel more true especially when in transition. Many of us are going through transition now and if not now, we have recently or will soon. That is one of the beautiful features of life, nothing stays the same. We don’t really want things to stay the same anyway. We get an idea in our head and tend to pursue it with full force. This gusto is rewarded in our American culture yet we wonder why we are feeling stressed and our bodies are tired and sick.
How would our lives be different if we set our intentions of what we want, make whatever effort is needed with joy in our hearts, then look for the results as they come, not how we expect them? Think of kids at play; they are learning all sorts of wonderful life skills yet are having a grand time doing it. I am sure you can think of many things children learn as they play. Why can’t we mimic this as adults?
Let’s try: the next time you think you would like something in your life try to move towards it with less effort and more allowing. For example, you may want a new job. Contemplate the following:
- Think about what you would like to do to earn money while enjoying what you do.
- Spend some time really figuring out what you really need from a job, i.e. meeting some social needs, life’s purpose, little commitment outside of work, fewer days but longer hours each day, etc.
- Figure out your priorities (if you want to make a lot of money working overtime yet want to spend time with your children these competing goals for your time may need to be adjusted)
- Figure out what needs to happen to prepare yourself for the next phase: do you need training, do you need a current resume, do you need to let your circle of friends know you are looking for a job change?
Accomplish the tasks in the most fun way possible. Find the fun in the preparation. Try to keep a positive attitude about your search. Perhaps a mantra, “I will get the best job for me in the right time” repeated often.
Enjoy the journey rather than stress your way to your next life chapter.