Heart's Adventure

I’m always fascinated at how our lives unfold. I’m reminded of the book, “Do What You Love, the Money will Follow”. While many of us have been faced with heartfelt endeavors that failed to live up to our dreams of financial success, perhaps these speed bumps in life prepare us for greater rewards in a form we never dreamed. Take my friend Brian Scott for instance. Fifteen years ago I met Brian, working as an advertising graphic designer for a small town newspaper. Brian’s dream, however, was to become a country western singer. He did all the things you’re supposed to do. He made a demo album in Nashville, he sang at local parades and fairs, but despite his talent, greater success eluded him. After several years, he settled in a small town in New Mexico, opening a small gift store and cafe. However, he never lost the dream of singing, and one day, while walking down the street, he saw a sign for a Karaoke contest at a local restaurant. On a whim he decided to enter and he won. As part of winning, he went to the New Mexico State Championship and won that as well. He was then off to the National Competition, and won that, ultimately competing in the World Championship in Finland where he came in 6th. But the story doesn’t stop there. Along the way, his talent as a showman was noticed by the folks who sponsored the Karaoke competitions. Recently, the concept of these competitions was optioned by ABC, to become “Karaoke Battle USA”, premiering on August 12th with Brian as one of the judges. Calling from his limousine on the way to the airport for a taping in Houston, Brian told me, “It’s like a dream.” Who would have known? – Fifteen years later, the intersection of preparation and opportunity, bringing Brian to this point in his life. He followed his heart – His road certainly had its twists and turns, but he never gave up his dream. His experience tells me how it important it is to continue to follow your heart knowing that while the future may not be as you imagine, it can lead you to experiences you never dreamed of. – It’s all your hearts adventure.

I was driving along the highway in my beautiful State of Vermont last week when suddenly an issue I was struggling with became clearer in my mind and I thought to myself, “why did it take me so long to get this clarity?” How could I have learned this lesson sooner and avoided the pain and frustration that finally led me to a solution?

I thought of my years of school and work experience that gave me the skills to be where I am today – and boy that certainly took some time! However, I know that I’ve been able to shorten my learning curve when I am focused on something that holds real interest for me, when I seek direction from experts, and when I allowed myself to make mistakes as part of the learning process.

Fortunately or unfortunately this isn’t always the case. For me, college was one of the best learning experiences of my life. Not because I was totally focused on my studies, but because I was open to the broader experiences of college life and willing to explore life’s possibilities on a variety of levels. This spirit of adventure was key in forming a perspective and focus on learning that supported my own happiness and satisfaction. There may have been shorter path to an answer, but none so rich and rewarding.

So again, why did it take me so long to gain clarity about that issue as I drove down the highway? Would it have been quicker to focus on strategies and seeking expert advice on how to resolve the issue? Perhaps, but maybe some solutions, and even better solutions, develop through a process that is more unconscious. Maybe the first step is to not get caught in the frustration of not knowing but approaching life with an open heart and mind, enjoying the journey, and allowing the best answers to simmer gently until their most palatable.  Perhaps another lesson in letting go.

The Irish playwright & essayist, George Bernard Shaw, said “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” This quote really supports the concept of coaching – that each individual has the power to move forward in a positive way to create the life they want. The idea of “finding” oneself implies that one is lost and certainly we can feel lost at times in our lives, but it is our actions that ultimately lead us to a better place. This can include trying more effective ways to deal with those feelings of being lost, choosing to look at thinks from a different perspective, and taking a different path. Other people may influence us, but the choice is ours. Coaching can help provide direction by helping to identify choices and asking important questions – How do you create a life you are proud of? What next steps can be taken to create the life you want?

Do you ever get frustrated waiting for the right conditions to set sail, i.e.: just the right opportunity, calm seas, enough resources? There are times I certainly find myself there, sitting at shore, wondering when the storm will pass, waiting and waiting – and I ask myself, “Do I know where I really want to be?” – “Am I clear about my destination?”, “What do I need, or need to let go of, to get there?”….and then I sigh, and take a step back, and appreciate the horizon and this moment in my life and all I have to be grateful for – The destination becomes clearer, my journey continues, the only thing I was waiting for was me to remember that what’s important is being here now.

Every so often in life you realize that it’s time to move on – to pull up anchor and chart a new course. This doesn’t always mean making a physical move – it can be a spiritual or emotional movement – but what ever it is, it is a time of letting go, i.e.: of bad habits, of old ways of thinking, of unhealthy relationships, and perhaps of possessions that have begun to weigh you down. For me this is such a time. I want to open myself to greater opportunity, to new experiences and new ways of being in the world. It’s time to make that next move to continue to create the life I really want.

I recently read Karen Kingston’s book, Clearing Your Clutter with Feng Shui and it has really helped give me that extra push to move forward on my journey of letting go. This includes letting go of my home, those possessions that no longer hold energy for me, and creating a new space for a healthier and more fulfilling life. Like any new journey, it is beginning not only with excitement and anticipation, but with fear and trepidation. As I move forward, however, I do so with purpose and intention. I can see the horizon of where I want to be and seeing it makes it that much closer as I set off once again on my heart’s adventure.