Have you ever genuinely asked yourself what you truly want in life? Is it happiness, or are you chasing something more material? And how do you plan to get there?
I think the only way of getting to where you need to go is to take the first step, whatever that step may be for you. Various methods are handed to you by teachers all around the world, but the only important question is whether you are able (mentally and physically) to take that step right now and whether you really want to. Someone might tell you to start meditating, but if you are unwilling, then meditation won’t help you further right now. What will get you further? The choice is yours.
You might have a natural resistance towards all things spiritual, maybe you are guided by the world of science. In that case, meditation might put you off and the thought of it might repel you. Or maybe you think you are the kind of person that dreads exercise, simply because it creates a feeling of blockage inside your body which you don’t feel like you can overcome at this point in time. Or perhaps you don’t associate with reading. Your life feels so overwhelmingly busy at this time that you are convinced you would not be able to read a single paragraph, you simply don’t have the focus for it. And that’s perfectly okay.
All roads lead to Rome is what they say and it might just be true for the path to your own destination.
I have read many self-help books and they all tend to show you the way to happiness, but I am here to tell you that this path is not set in stone.
I am also here to tell you that your path doesn’t necessarily have to be visible to you right now, just know that it is there, waiting for you. And the best thing you can do for yourself is just take the first step.
But how do you know what your first step is? In my case I was so lost that I thought material goals would make me happy. In fact, I set three goals that I wanted to reach before I became thirty years of age and I honestly thought that after achieving these goals I would reach a state of happiness. My goals were to have my own house, travel to an intercontinental destination and to obtain my driver’s license. I did achieve my three goals and alas it didn’t bring me the feeling of contentment that I was aiming for. I still felt the same, it didn’t change my mind, it didn’t change my thoughts, it didn’t change the fact that I was tired of life and if you recognize yourself in this, it might mean that you are heading for the wrong destination.
The only two important things you need in order to start changing your life around are your own willingness to change and your open-mindedness towards the tools for change.
Just say it out loud, “I want to change, but I don’t know how”, just ask the question, “What do I need to do to change my life?”. The answer will come to you and then you will know. How will the answer reach you? It can reach you in all sorts of ways. You might scroll past it on your Instagram feed, you might receive a message through a vivid dream, you might read it in a book or perhaps you will have a conversation with a stranger that will lead you in a new direction. Just trust that the answer will come to you and it will. There is always that first step that does feel appealing to you. Just know that it doesn’t matter how far off track you are and what your age is.
Trust that you are exactly where you need to be to start this process.
I found it first in simple quotes I found on the internet. They gave me strength and hope and it was exactly what I needed. You’re never too old to change. Your mindset can shift in a single moment. You can be someone entirely new within a year — and you’ll look back, proud.
Question the decisions you are making that aren’t leading to your happiness. Just because it seems like everyone else is happy through the same things you are doing does not mean your happiness will flow from it too. Some people thrive on busy lives, some people thrive on solitude. Find your fix and start fixing. Happiness can come from many things, but your happiness is your own responsibility. Don’t think of it as a burden, it is a blessing to be on your own unique path. I had to change from being a night owl to becoming a morning person. At first, I dreaded even the thought of this change, but overtime I found out it was the best thing I could have done for myself. Chase your bad habits and change them, one by one. You will know it when you are on your way. You will gradually feel better, you will gradually make authentic decisions. We are taught to cater to everyone else’s needs, but it is time to put yours first. Only then will you be able to live the life that feels right to you.
“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”
