My lil play sister called me the other day in a fret over her upcoming 27 th birthday. She was super anxious over the fact that certain things in her life were not in place. Out of all my favorite folks she's one of the most ambitious and determined out of the lot. And yet she was calling because she felt something was missing. Why? I mean after all she had bought a condo in Los Angeles, held down a pretty-damn impressive real estate gig and was rolling in a Lexus. But she said she didn't feel successful or accomplished at her present age. She wanted more. So she did what any self respecting woman would do. She left LA behind including the condo and the car and landed in D.C.
I often receive these calls from strangers, family and friends alike. It doesn't matter the time or circumstance. They call me to see if they should jump. Sometimes I think God is playing a lil trick on me, using all of these folks around me as a mirror. They're asking me if it's ok to jump and to follow their dreams despite the hard, cold facts that they make not make a dollar their first year or despite the fact that they may indeed fail. Those who have already jumped; call me on a regular to see if they should have taken the leap in the first place. Jumping is one of the most hazardous of all occupations because most simply don't do it. It's also the only way to become totally free, never locked into life's guaranteed options which leads to the path of BOREDOM. Actually, Dr. Seuss coined a much better term for the place, "the waiting place". That's what most of us are doing while we're here on Earth that is, WAITING. Taking up space, time and energy until retirement maybe, more like until death.
My sis said she was tired of living the 'LA life'. In her words LA had become reduced to window-shopping, high-glossed over people with little to no substance. OUCH! I told her that it was not necessarily LA but rather a certain mentality that we all can subscribe to from time to time. I call it the wall paper mentality. When we become consumed by the trappings of appearances. It's when we stop listening to the lil voice inside of us that wants to explore, to live and to dream. We become more intent upon living according to a prescribed plan. We're supposed to have 2.5 kids by 28 and of course be married. We're also supposed to have obtained a "respectable" job, one that pays the bills and stores a bit for retirement. Ahhhhh the all elusive retirement that will come after we've put in our "time".
But what about all the damn space in between retirement? What about our grind? It isn't the work that necessarily defines us, it's the quality of our work. And since it's damn hard to do something well that you absolutely hate; I suggest you find something that moves you, that brings you joy. I think the most dreadful disease that's spread throughout America is mediocrity. We've become content with good ol' comfort. In fact it's what we strive to gain in this lifetime. But a path only designed to bring about comfort is a straight shot to BOREDOM. And then there are those who want more...not later but NOW, like right NOW!
They're like my lil sis, just not content with the wall paper. They realize that all the glossed over things and people around them mean nothing if they are not truly LIVING. But how do you live? How can you truly get the most out of life? By never being completed.
Real living isn't about just "becoming comfortable". It's about using your God given talents to personally become more, and in the process, increasing more life and opportunities for everyone around you. Just when you think you've done enough. Your soul earns for more. This is the real reason why we want more money and more things. We really want to become MORE. It's the same for all things on this planet. The rose is designed to bloom. The catapillar becomes the butterfly. The seed becomes the tree. Why do humans think we are destined to sit around and watch TV? ARE YOU SERIOUS????????????????
Most of us are scared to become more and we look down upon those who decide that they want more from life. The only catch is the day you decide you're too afraid to start living is the day you begin to die. Most folks think death comes when the breath ceases. Look around you! There are tons of walking zombies amongst us. Folks have checked out long ago. But every once and awhile someone catches fire and becomes inspired to live again.
So I told my sis, "to hell with the Lexo and the condo and the window dressings". Be free. Listen to your heart. There will be those who frown upon your decision to become a family therapist rather than a real estate tycoon. Of course condescendingly they will say, "but you were soooo good at real estate". And she expressed her concern of not becoming a millionaire by the age of 30. I couldn't help but to start smirking a bit. We must all learn to tune out the world. I told her be weary of those who say you should think realistically, to be more reasonable. There is nothing more unreasonable then not listening to your own heart. In the end, when all is said and done. There is only you. And you can choose to play this game however and the hell you choose. She's chosen to LIVE. And I salute her.
P.S. This blog is really only meant for about 5%, no 3% of the population. Those who have jumped or those who think about it almost every day. For every one else...carry on.
Shak
100.
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