Part of finding your soul is to wake up
to this habit of thinking like others
and go your own way.
It may be painful to separate from those people
who have given you a sense of belonging and purpose,
but your soul is at stake.
Thomas Moore, A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You Were Born to Do
This post contains affiliate links and I’ll receive a small amount of money if you make a purchase with this link
It is no coincidence that I chose a quote from Thomas Moore for this week’s Wednesday Whoa. Like Janet, he left a religious order after 13 years so that he could practice and find his spirituality outside. Since then he’s been a musician, a University professor and practiced as a psychotherapist before becoming a full-time writer. Also, like Janet, he continued to learn and grow. After writing his first book, he gave up his psychotherapy practice in order to write full-time. It’s a process. Not once, but several times both had to leave or move past the work that they were doing in order to move ahead. In order to find that work that gives them a sense of purpose and belonging.
What gives you a sense of belonging and purpose? Are you willing to move past the known and tread into the unknown in order to achieve it?
Jennifer,
To ever be likened to Thomas Moore is a humbling honor – but I must say I totally agree with this quote by him. I’ve seen so many stuck in situations that are draining their very life – and sometimes even putting them in grave danger physically – because it is familiar. This happens personally and professionally… and is so sad to see.
Koshak, I so agree with this philosophy. We cannot grow if we do not leave the “pack mentality”. Open mindedness brings so many good things our way. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by Mitch. Good term for it “pack mentality.”
Loved your final questions. I left the pack mentality many years ago, but I’m still searching and feel that I always will be. The path is long and the route very circuitous at times. In the end, the cliché ‘it’s the journey and not the destination’ is what I find to be true for myself.
I love this. The idea that we are in progress and never complete makes it a whole lot easier to avoid feelings of failure.
We are always a work in progress and a failure is a new opportunity to try something different. Don’t feel like a failure, instead appreciate the learning opportunity.
I’ve always forged an individual path. Not always easy to be that person.
I imagine it’s not easy, but those of us behind you are grateful that you shine a light on a new path!
I always admire people who follow their heart in life. I try, but still play it safer than I should. Thanks for this inspiration.
I sometimes feel like I’m playing it safe right now, but I also realize that I’m where I need to be right now as a caregiver for my Mother.