We’ve all heard of the midlife crisis, right? Some of us are hit hard, as in the “get-a-divorce-and-buy-a-sports-car” kind of crisis. Others can get away with just a nose ring or tattoo, or maybe even a boob job.
The thing is, the root of the crisis is the same – as we age, we start to ponder the BIG questions. What is the meaning of Life? Why are we here? What is our purpose? We start to realize that the nine-to-five treadmill we’ve been on isn’t all that fulfilling.
Spiritual teacher and bestselling author, Rebecca Campbell, explains that instead of thinking about it in terms of our purpose, which can seem so overwhelming, it’s really as simple as finding things that light you up! She asks…
What is it that, when you are doing it, you stop for a moment and realize that you are happy and having fun?
Follow your bliss! It’s a theme that has been espoused by many people, folks who are much more famous than me (actually, since I’m not yet famous, that would include most everyone, but I digress…). In fact, Joseph Campbell, American mythologist, writer and lecturer, is probably best known for this idea:
“Follow your bliss. If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you. You begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be – doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.”
In other words, do what makes you happy! Fear not!
Abraham-Hicks explains that when we are “selfish enough to really follow [our] bliss, [we will] immediately be tapped into the Pure Positive Essence of who [we] are.” In other words, we connect to our own innate wisdom – the part of our self that has been there all along, patiently waiting for us.
As I’ve previously shared, the minute Bill and I discovered (and started living) our passion – providing Reiki to disabled veterans – the “right” people and circumstances lined up effortlessly! Same thing happened with my writing…once I decided to honor the inspiration that kept bubbling up inside (discussed in more detail here), I found an awesome mentor, gave two radio interviews, and eventually completed a book proposal that is currently being sent out to publishers! Doors that I didn’t even know existed started opening up. The best part, though, is when I’m in the zone – tuned in, tapped in, and turned on, as Abraham-Hicks would say.
In a nutshell, fearlessly following my joy “blissfully” (re)connects me with Spirit.
Having a purpose doesn’t mean that we have to accomplish anything. It just means that we put our light out into the world…and we do this through our creative actions. When we engage in joyful endeavors, we raise our vibration, which in turn, reverberates out into the world, like ripples on a pond.
So, rather than searching futilely for purpose and meaning, Joseph Campbell suggests that you identify your passion and find a way to give yourself over to it, wholly and completely. “In so doing, you will find your fullest potential and serve your community to the greatest possible extent.”
It’s a win-win!