Spiritual Solutions

In this current recession and uncertain economic future, we may sometimes feel that we’re just looking at our life as it bobs this way and that, according to whatever outside waters are propelling us. We think we have to work this many hours because of our house payment, instead of looking at it from another direction like moving into a smaller house or finding a job with better pay.

We say, “I’d just love to . . . write, travel, paint, ride horses, learn yoga, but I just don’t have the . . . time, money, energy . . .”

It could be that some of these “valid excuses” are just ways to hide from risks. In her book, Simple Abundance, Sarah Breathnach writes, “Many of us have unconsciously erected seemingly insurmountable barriers to protect ourselves from failing or succeeding. We may think we’re protecting ourselves by ignoring or denying our creative impulse, but what we are really doing is burying our authentic selves alive.”

Doing our own thing is risky; we don’t want to risk failure or, worse, looking silly. But look around. The happiest people are those doing whatever is their passion despite difficulties or fears.

My son, Geoffrey, and his wife, Andy, really want to move from England to live here in the United States. It’s over two years now since I made the application with Immigration for him to come here under my sponsorship as his father, and still we’re not getting anywhere with it. He and Andy sold their home and moved into a rented house in preparation for the move. They then came over again last year for an extended vacation, and looked for a job with a company that might possibly sponsor one of them to be able to get their green card, without success.

In the Fall last year, Geoff and Andy decided they wanted to travel through France and Spain for about six months while they could. They bought a motor home and moved out of their rented house so they could get used to living in the motor home while they were still in England. They quit their jobs. Then toward the end of the year, they crossed the English Channel on the ferry with their motor home, and since then they have been touring France and Spain, staying in Spain for Christmas and the New Year.

They have visited friends and made many new friends on their travels and signed up with an organization of organic farms which provides people with lodging and food in exchange for working on an organic farm. They’re open to all kinds of work to help supplement their travel. The other day Geoff told me they may stay longer if they get a job they enjoy doing.

The reason I’m sharing this with you is just to show you it’s possible to do the things you really want to do. They’re not just sitting waiting to come over here and fretting that nothing is happening with their visas.

What kind of barrier or excuses do you use to keep yourself from the life you really want to live? From what fears are you trying to save yourself?

So many people have worked to make their dream come true. They may have had to do a drastic thing like sell their house and live in a trailer so they could travel the world. Some may have had to cut some of their spending in order to quit their hated job and start their own business.

Maybe you will have to take the risk of saying “No” to someone in order to take time for an art class. Or you may have to toot your own horn and talk to someone you don’t know to sell your idea. You may have to get out of your comfort zone by doing without some luxuries for the moment. And, yes, cable is a luxury!

Read up on people that are doing what you long to do. Let them help you find solutions to your barriers.

Take Action

Write down your three main excuses for not living the life you want.

1.

2.

3.

Brainstorm ways to work around these barriers. Research online. Talk to people who have done what you want to do.

Look behind the barriers and journal what fears may be behind the excuses.

This week take one risk each day to forward your dream.

Whose life is this anyway?

I wish you every success, and remember:

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-seven years, invites you to subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, “Spiritual Solutions,” at Spiritual Solutions.

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