"As a child, I dreamed of helping poor children in India." The lady on my train reminisced. "But I stayed safe, in England, working in an office. I've no family, and could easily rent my house. There's nothing stopping me going to India."
Gosh, I've heard this countless times. Why do people have lifelong dreams, yet do nothing about it even when they could? Best to try a bit of tough love. "So what's stopping you?" I asked softly yet confrontationally.
She thought for a long 30 seconds. "I have to get permission from work for a sabbatical."
"You could ask at work tomorrow. What else is stopping you?"
"Well, I need to clear out my house."
"That could be done in weeks. So what's stopping you going to India."
Another long 30 seconds later, she said hesitatingly, "I suppose I'm scared. It feels safe where I am."
"But it's your lifelong dream since childhood. It could even be your soul purpose. Your reason for being. Your destiny. Your angelic job to share your love with the world."
She nodded thoughtfully. "Yes," she said. "I know. Others have said that too."
Hmm... a stubborn one, frightened of change. I'll try the "If-when" technique. It usually helps decision making. "If you decide to go to India, when might you go?"
She suddenly looked positive. "Summer next year."
"And what steps would you need to take before then?"
She smiled. "I'll ask about the sabbatical at work tomorrow. Then plan how to sort the house, ready to rent next year." She nodded in confirmation of her own thoughts. "Yes, that's what I'll do. Ask at work tomorrow. The year between now and next summer gives me time to mentally adjust to work in India."
She smiled broadly. Her decision seemed concrete. I pray it is. And I pray all readers who know a job they should do, to tread their soul paths right now... But sometimes it just takes a little tough love from a stranger to set someone on the path their soul desires.
Gosh, I've heard this countless times. Why do people have lifelong dreams, yet do nothing about it even when they could? Best to try a bit of tough love. "So what's stopping you?" I asked softly yet confrontationally.
She thought for a long 30 seconds. "I have to get permission from work for a sabbatical."
"You could ask at work tomorrow. What else is stopping you?"
"Well, I need to clear out my house."
"That could be done in weeks. So what's stopping you going to India."
Another long 30 seconds later, she said hesitatingly, "I suppose I'm scared. It feels safe where I am."
"But it's your lifelong dream since childhood. It could even be your soul purpose. Your reason for being. Your destiny. Your angelic job to share your love with the world."
She nodded thoughtfully. "Yes," she said. "I know. Others have said that too."
Hmm... a stubborn one, frightened of change. I'll try the "If-when" technique. It usually helps decision making. "If you decide to go to India, when might you go?"
She suddenly looked positive. "Summer next year."
"And what steps would you need to take before then?"
She smiled. "I'll ask about the sabbatical at work tomorrow. Then plan how to sort the house, ready to rent next year." She nodded in confirmation of her own thoughts. "Yes, that's what I'll do. Ask at work tomorrow. The year between now and next summer gives me time to mentally adjust to work in India."
She smiled broadly. Her decision seemed concrete. I pray it is. And I pray all readers who know a job they should do, to tread their soul paths right now... But sometimes it just takes a little tough love from a stranger to set someone on the path their soul desires.
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