Everything in life has an expiration date including careers, relationships, living spaces, habits, beliefs, interests and goals. The exact expiration date is unknown to us. When something is coming to an end, it often happens in subtle ways. If we are not paying attention, we will miss the telltale signs of an ending. Our lives really demand that we show up every day and pay attention to the clues that are being given to us. The clues come in the form of our feelings, thoughts, hunches and instincts. Often, we are being told that something is about to expire before it actually does. We are being given an opportunity to plan for a transition into something completely new. Most of us miss all this action unfolding within our lives.
We miss the curtain calls because we have accepted this idea that nothing is ever going to change. We assume that we are always going to be the same people with the same interests, dreams, hopes and fears. We never believe that we might become bored with what we created in our current life. We might outgrow our partner or best friend and need to find someone new who compliments where we are moving emotionally. We never think about how we might outgrow some of the ideas that we have had about who we are and how we want to live. We might become bored with our current career and need a new adventure.
We are multi-talented people who come here with the goal of living of multi-dimensional lives. The life that we create for ourselves in one decade may be too small for us in another decade. We are changing everyday underneath the surface where we aren't even aware of it. We have multiple life purposes to fulfill during our lifetime. Once we successfully fulfill one purpose, it may be time to move on and discover our next purpose when our path seems limited or uninteresting. We are always being challenged and presented with the opportunity to shift in new directions on so many levels of our lives. We stop the flow of life when we convince ourselves that our lives are supposed to stay the same and we are supposed to stay the same people.
People who work in the sports and entertainment industries seem to understand the concept of curtain calls better than the rest of us. Professional athletes know that their physical talent, strength and speed will only last for so long. Athletes know that they are always a major injury away from the end of their professional sports career. They never know exactly when the last day will come, but they know that they will have to prepare for a second career. They will have to learn a new way of living that no longer involves training and conditioning for sports. They will have to develop other capabilities that have nothing to do with physical exertion.
Actors, singers and dancers know that their careers are usually short-lived. The nature of show business is to already be in search of the next big star as soon as the industry discovers the newest talent. Showbiz relies on youth and a revolving door of fresh, new talent. Once a performer has reached a certain age or a certain level of success, they realize their work opportunities are likely to dwindle. Performers know that they will face a new career path beyond show business.
Most of us grew up with this idea that we create our lives in our twenties for the rest of our lives. We pick a career and employer and plan to stay there until retirement. We find a mate, get married and have a family. We expect to stay married for a lifetime. We simply lock ourselves into our choices early on because we have been taught that is the way it should be.
Take a look at your life. Are you feeling bored about something within your life? Is there a habit that isn't helping you to be healthier? Is there a person who is just too draining for you tolerate any more? Are you happy with your life? Are there any beliefs that you have about yourself or life that are holding you back?
If we recognize an area of our life where change is necessary, we naturally assume that we did something wrong in the first place. If we no longer like some aspect of our lives, we believe we made a mistake in the first place. Change is never about right or wrong. You have simply outgrown an area and now it is time to move on without judgment. It will be easier to move on when we suspend judgment and simply learn to trust ourselves.
When a curtain call is coming, it is wise to get connected with yourself. Get in touch with your thoughts. Find out what you really want--not what somebody else tells you should want. Be honest with yourself. Allow your soul to speak honestly to you and listen to it. Trust whatever is coming from your soul, even if it sounds too large or impossible for you. We often limit ourselves--our dreams and our possibilities. Be open to larger ideas for living your life. Be open to growing personally in ways that you never believed you could before. Listen to your soul and allow it to guide you into the next chapter. The answers to what is next are always within you. Pay attention to your instincts and what grabs your attention as these are your clues.
No matter what we do, we will have to recognize the curtain call will come. It will not go away just because we are scared of it. The curtain call represents a wonderful opportunity, even if it seems painful at first. We are birthing a new chapter in our lives. Confusion, fear and feeling lost may mark the beginning, but it will get better as we find our way and become more comfortable with uncertainty. It is wise to surrender the need to control what happens next and stop trying to force our way. We have to learn to move in the flow of life. Sometimes, the flow will be moving quickly, slowly or even come to a stop. We simply must be willing to trust the process, even if we are unable to fully understand the big picture of where it will lead or when we will arrive at our final stop on this leg of our life journey.
Copyright©2007 Jeannine Robinson All Rights Reserved