I hated sitting on the bench during a basketball game. Seeing my teammates go up and down the court defending, running plays, missing baskets, making baskets, I wanted to be in the game. The feeling of my muscles burning and my lungs expanding as I played in the game was exhilarating. But for whatever reason, I was sitting on the sideline, wishing, I was in the game.
In my mind I would repeat, “put me in coach, put me in coach.” Then I got the tap on the shoulder and the pointing of the finger to go in. YES!!! Being in the game, is where the action is. I could help my team. We could win!
Life can feel like we are sitting on the sidelines. Watching everyone around us do their thing while we are stuck in the monotony and routine of survival. This survival is where we put out the least amount of emotional energy and choose the least emotionally exhausting routine to accomplish just enough. This is modern day survival mode. No energy to to more than is necessary. No spark of creativity to do more than is required. Survival.
The funny thing with “survival mode”, it will kill your soul. Slowly. Survival mode leads to death of creation, death of fun, death of relationships, death of your soulful, beautiful self. You may still take occupancy in your body, but your life’s light diminishes. Lack of soulful expression leads to depression.
Here is the secret, no matter how far into survival mode you find yourself. Your soul, is always flickering. It is ready to be ignited at any moment. Some kindling can quickly turn into a bonfire. The souls kindling is love and creativity.
Muster up some love for yourself. Tell me 10 lovely things about you. Then tell me ten crazy or not crazy things that you would love to do or learn or see. Make a bucket list. You just got the tap on your shoulder! You’ve been called into the game, the game of your life. As you start to dream again, ideas will come. DON’T QUIET THEM! Let me urge you to do some fun things. Let your dreams start to take shape and be realized in your life. It will happen. It will happen quickly.
It may feel impossible, unimaginable but it burns in your heart. If you feel the burning in your heart and the excitement of it when you think about it. Guess what? IT’S POSSIBLE! If you can dream it, it’s possible. If you feel it move you in your soul, IT’S POSSIBLE.
The only question to ask is, What is the next step? Then as you complete that step, keep repeating the question. Keep in action. Keep yourself in the game! We need you in the game. C’mon let’s play!
