Come Alive!

Follow Your Heart

“Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction.”

Rumi

My former husband got so mad at me when our sons went off to college and I told them to “follow their bliss.” I believed that if you found what you love and immersed yourself in it, you would be happy for the rest of your life—and happiness was the goal in my mind. He thought, you go to college to prepare for a good job, period. You should go to learn a skill that will provide a substantial income. Then, do what you love as a hobby. Financial self-sufficiency was the goal for him. Just two different ways of seeing the world—neither is all right or all wrong.

My sons both followed their bliss, and then found jobs in fields different from their majors—because, after all, our children are going to do what they want to do no matter what “shoulds” we lay down for them. They are truly not our property, nor are they ours to direct. In the words of The Prophet, “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for iself...” (Kahlil Gibran)

I, however, stand by my advice to my sons. If there is any possible way to do what you love and live on what you make, then do it. Because what we love lights a fire in our belly and feeds not only our bodies and minds, but our souls as well. As Howard Thurman said, “Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go and do it. What the world needs is people who have come alive.”

If you are sitting at the precipice of a decision—believe this: “Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction.” Love is the answer. Today, do whatever you do with great love and see what a difference it makes.

                                                         In the Spirit,

                                                              Jane