Love In Your Life

When we can't identify the work of our dreams, it may be because we haven't been tuning in to ourselves. It may be that we haven't parents or authority figures to provide the kind of feedback that stimulates our unique interests and capabilities. And if we make it all the way to high school graduation without that kind of self-knowledge, perhaps it is better that we delay further formal education. Take that gap year and try to "figure it out."

Nevertheless, we can't waste the gap year. We must step in somewhere. We must act in our own best interest to discover ourselves and our place in the world of work by getting involved. Start small and just do it. The best that can happen is that you fall into a space and place that hints at something you enjoy. Then you take it further. You will inevitably land somewhere.

Our quote from Teddy Roosevelt reminds us that the credit doesn't go to he who hesitates and waits. It goes to he who moves and attempts a position and fails. The failures only inform him, not defeat him.

We love "The Man in the Arena" quote because it encourages and supports us to do what we are, even when we aren't exactly clear what that is. It affirms to us that although we may not be one of the "lucky ones" who simply know precisely what their role in life is, we get one step closer to our purpose each attempt we make to get in the arena.

We have another resource for ensuring that our intention guides us and that is the energy we bring into a situation. Our energy vibrates at a certain frequency and we are responsible for how we show up and influence a particular time and space. So what is the energy you bring and how can you be a positive force for good for yourself and all that is in your path? By remaining in the love of who you are and what is in your life. By accepting what is and letting go when we might be tempted to hang on, to be attached to the result of that to which we remain attached.

In EQ terms, Michael Singer's book, The Untethered Soul, reminds us to receive our emotions --that which is our energy in motion--for the value they bring to us in coming into contact with our purpose---who we are and what we are intended to do in our being here in this lifetime.

The beauty in all of this is that rather than focusing on what we do not have or need or lack (scarcity mind), we are entirely focused on all that we are (mind of abundance), allowing us to get on with our purpose and make our unique contribution that ensures our own personal happiness and success. When our life works, we will always be a force for good in the world, inspiring others to make their lives work. You won't be telling them, you will instead show them how.

If there are only about 25% of us who choose the most appropriate career path for ourselves, could it be that these are also certain personality types? Are certain personalities more likely to have whatever it takes to be in touch with what is the best path for ourselves? Or is it too serendipitous to make such a correlation?

And in thinking about that aspect, meaning if there is a connection between personality and choosing more appropriately for ourselves, is it possible to consider how certain personalities fare better in other aspects of life?

Let's consider health and our unique responses to a scary diagnosis. Why is it that some people hear the same dire diagnosis and come out of it entirely differently. If we look at those who experience what is known as "spontaneous remission" and those who simply go downhill, might we see personality differences? If so, do we dare draw conclusions if/when it is appropriate?

On the health front, as mystifying as it is, we do know that studies continue on the mind/body connections. I am not sure we will ever be able to conclusively understand why or how these occurrences are.

Still, the questions remain about personality and optimal choices. And it only emphasizes the need for all of us to utilize as many resources as we can to allow ourselves the greatest opportunity to make decisions that help to ensure our happiness and success.

Does our personality type cause or explain our behavior? Can our behavior be predicted or explained based on how we score on a "personality" test?

The simple answer is no. One type is NOT better than another and our type can not explain or predict our behavior.

While our "personality style, type or preferences" are formed quite early on in our lives (some experts do mention that tender age of five), there is no "if, then" statement that can be made; there is no definitive information that can be given to indicate a behavioral response based on type.

We may have a predominant style, but each situation and every experience one has allows us to grow. We incorporate lesser dominant styles as we continue on the path of time in interactions with others. We mature. And we learn how to interact using our own style and potentially recognize the preferences of the other, making allowances with that understanding.

Whether we are selecting the right career path, or choosing the most suitable life partner, it's best that we have a high self-esteem. How we feel about ourselves, how we value ourselves, forms the backdrop for our self-awareness. It also influences our decision-making, so we can understand how feeling positive about our self opens up possibilities to choosing in accordance with that positivity. When we make choices from a perspective of self-concern and self-love, there is a greater likelihood that we end up happy and successful. In other words, when we love ourselves, we are more likely to choose appropriately and honor our true selves.

To be clear, it is a personal choice. We can choose to love ourselves, which then in turn assists us in making good decisions. And we deserve that. We ought not deprive ourselves of this right--self-respect and self-love is both our right and our responsibility.

Whether we are referring to exercises in emotional intelligence or abiding by universal principles, knowing what we are feeling and embracing what those feelings are here to provide us is key. There is intention in the universe and attending to our feelings, without judgment and rather total acceptance offers us deeper insights into our purpose.

Identifying the feeling and sitting with it to get in touch with its "message," begins the process. Sending love its way to welcome it and let it be allows for understanding and love to be our guide. We want that and need that.

Listen to one set of steps that walk you through the process for this valuable practice.

"Your time is limited and you're supposed to be using it for something meaningful."

Michael Singer

Arnold Patent's 24 Universal Principles are all about living our best lives. These principles correlate with a show that speaks of achieving personal and professional happiness and success in our personal and professional lives.

It's about our perceptions versus the truth; Our separation ideas versus our reality in the oneness that we are. As many of our resources insist, Patent's Univeral Principles remind us that we entered this existence knowing exactly who we are but signed on for a human experience, which caused us to forget.

This is one of at least two podcasts that presents the value of the 24 points identified by Patent, which he refers to as "Universal Principles." Listen, learn, and access his website, arnoldpatent.com to gain more wisdom from his words.

All the problems of the world, whether private or public, local or global, can be solved with two resources: emotional intelligence and the teachings in A Course in Miracles.

Does that sound outlandish and too bold a statement for you to buy into? Well, consider this:

Your EQ will determine your behavior, performance, and decision-making. How we behave and perform and the decisions we make will make the difference in the quality of our own mental and physical lives and the relationships we have with others.

A Course in Miracles includes the teaching and concepts in emotional intelligence development. It speaks about the ego, projection, and forgiveness in a psychologically sound manner. Most importantly, it is about removing "the blocks to love's presence."

These are powerful systems that can positively influence and change our lives and the lives of those around us.

We have been discussing living a purposeful life through being self-aware and identifying our passion through self-awareness. But there's another way to consider how we might live our best lives.

How might you respond to the question : Who are you? What are you? What are you really good at? What do other people in your life say about you?

If we have had parents or authority figures provide feedback about our talents and abilities early on in life, we have been in receipt of this information by the time we have to make career decisions. If not, if we are not so fortunate, what we may consider doing may be tainted by what the world seems to value-namely a degree of fame and fortune.

It's another question-who are you and where is the excitement for you?

Knowing how to maintain our physical health begins very early on in our lives and therefore is familiar to us. We essentially know how to attend to our physical well being. We are also aware of the numerous resources to assist us in the maintenance of our physical health.

It's not the same in caring for our psychological well being. We are not always as familiar with resources available to help us. Even when we are, accessing those resources may be accompanied with self-punishing thoughts and unconscious behaviors. We may feel guilty that we even need help; we may be embarrassed about it. We may reject the notion, and resist getting the help we need, leaving us feeling like a failure.

None of those reactions (and that's what they are) are even necessary. We are better to develop the compassion for ourselves and reach out, knowing that help available. Besides, the people who love us are there for us. They are more than willing to open their hearts and hold our hand.