What I Learned This Week

By DeMornay Harper
Blog Content Contributor

Do you ever have those times in life where you just feel God is speaking to you? The times when He is just reaching out and if you would just open yourself up to the possibilities that He presents, you could receive the greatest teachings. Last week was one of those times for me. It was filled to the brim with little epiphanies and words of wisdom. This entire summer has been very shaping to me as a person, this past week in particular, so I thought I would share the wealth. Here are some of things I learned during the second week of July 2017:

Stop Standing in Lines for Things You Do Not Really Want

I had a really awesome meeting turned into a four-hour discussion about life with an amazing woman whose job is an ideal one for me. One of the many gems she shared was to stop waiting in line for things I do not really want. The idea is that everyone is waiting in line for jobs, people, lifestyles that they do not truly desire. You compete seriously with five other candidates and put all of your energy into a job that you are not passionate about. A position that does not warm your soul or get you jazzed about life. When you do this you are encouraging and enabling a life of settling. In contrast, when you send out energy where you want it and just focus on that, the life that you crave most will come to you.

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Look Within for the Answer 

As a person who loves getting advice from friends and family, I have been mulling over this for a while. Whenever anything grandiose happens in my life my first instinct is run it by a close friend or family member. It helps me sort my thoughts out by getting them out in the open. In a way, based on my reaction to their advice, I can see what my true desire is. During the same meeting I mentioned above, the idea of looking within was oneself was an idea that was stressed. Jessica, the woman I met with, introduced a thought that I cannot seem to get out of my head: The best advice someone can give you is what they would do in a situation, so unless they have your ideal life, then you probably should not listen to them. I was shook at this advice, to be honest. This is so incredibly true. I still feel that the perspective of a caring friend holds weight, but now I am challenging myself to look within more. I use my journal now as my friend to bounce ideas off of. The ability of seeing my thoughts on paper can have the same effect in regards to realizing my truest longings.

Do Not Take it Personal 

Do not take the wants and needs of the ones closest to you personally either. Respect them and acknowledge that they are just another human in their own unique journey. If they need space, give it. If they want closeness, be there. Do not sacrifice your own mental well-being for the sake of another but just be all that you can be for others, even if that is nothing at all. I have found this is the best way to find raw joy from your relationships.

Let Go

Let go of the people, places and things that no longer serve you. You do not owe anyone anything. You do not owe them your time, understanding or sometimes even a response and do not let anyone convince you otherwise. Do what fosters your creative soul and subconscious mind and do it unashamedly, without abandon.

You hold the truths of which you seek.

Featured image by DeMornay Harper.