Follow your bliss

“Your wings already exist, all you have to do is fly.”

When I was a child you could find me amongst a pile of books or writing stories, often dressed up in my mum’s high-heels and lipstick. That pretty much sums me up in present day, the only difference being I wear heels that fit me and I confine lipstick to my lips rather than a nice all-over painted look!

I remember from an early age, telling my mum that when I grew up, when I wasn’t being an astronaut, I would spend my life making the world a better place. I haven’t made it into space yet (there’s still time), but I’ve never lost my desire to make the world a better place.

The point is that kids are smart - they instinctively know how to follow their bliss, they know what they enjoy and do more of it. If something causes them repeated pain, they stop doing it. They believe that things are possible, and if they don’t know, they imagine. You don’t need to teach a kid to think outside the box.

We are still that child, only in a grown-up body, Sometimes we need to be reminded that it’s ok to put down Mr/Mrs Serious and do things that we love and let that be our guide. Just for fun. Just because it feels good.

Find your bliss

Get yourself a tea, a notebook and write down the first answer that comes to you.

What did you love doing as a child/teenager that was just for fun?

What can you talk about for a long time without getting bored?

If someone gave you a billion pounds, what would you do with it? Apart from buying the houses, the cars, etc.

If you didn’t have to deal with the consequences, what would make you happy?

If you knew you were certain to succeed, which decision would you make about your future now?

We don’t have to enjoy everything we do and feel happy all the time, but neither should we feel completely miserable for prolonged periods of time, or force ourselves to do things we hate. You wouldn’t ignore prolonged physical pain, so emotional distress should not be ignored either - it is an indication that something needs addressing.

So my invitation to you is this: find what you love, and are good at, and do more of it. Share your passion with the world in the way that only you can, and enjoy the purpose and meaning it brings with it. x

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go and do it. Because what the world needs is more people to come alive.”

H.Thurman

Love, Ismene xxx