I’m finally reading an old book that I have had on my shelf for a very long time. I’ve been meaning to read it, but I always end up either reading something else, or just being busy doing something else. The book is Your Best Life Now: 7 steps to living at your full potential by Joel Osteen. I was gifted this book years ago, and I remember wanting to read it after I read Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day. As I started to read Your Best Life Now, I became motivated in the moment (which usually happens when I’m reading motivational books). One line that I came across in chapter 10 that really spoke to me stated: “When you go around copying and trying to be like somebody else, not only does it demean you, it steals your diversity, your creativity, and your uniqueness.” (Osteen, 2010). You always here the saying: it’s better to be an original than a copy, but I like the way he put it. I feel that through tough times and setbacks you might feel like simulating, because what you are doing isn’t working. Many nights I’ve said to myself that maybe what I like and what I find interesting is different from the majority. Maybe I should do what others are doing because what I’m doing isn’t working. It’s easy to abandon ship and give into sensationalism. I had to tell myself that it’s okay to do something different. It’s okay to do things a different way. I have to stay true to myself, because it’s hard to keep that same energy doing a project that doesn’t interest me. Passion pushes me. Passion excites me. Bringing an idea that I came up with into life is fun, and it’s an exhilarating feeling to share it with the world. I’m not always sure that people will love it or find it interesting, but I know I am authentically being me.
It can be challenging figuring out which path to choose. A lot of the times we are torn between our passion and what can make a quick buck. I’ve just notice that in the past few years I get more excited doing things I love and enjoy. Anything that allows me to tap into my creative side and imagination brings me genuine joy. I guess that’s why I love anything in the arts. Maybe if I would have stayed true to myself it wouldn’t have taken me so long to finish my degree. I jumped from major to major so much because I was forcing myself to pick a field that seemed safe and lucrative. I could barely pay attention because I wasn’t interested. I wasn’t being true to what I like or who I am. I wish I realized that sooner in life, but at least I know now and that’s all that matters. It’s never too late to do what you love. 😉
Sources:
Osteen, J. (2010). Your best life now: 7 steps to living at your full potential. New York, NY: Warner Faith.
JustGottaMakeIt 