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Whenever we have a series of overcast and rainy days, it’s easy for me to succumb to the gloom and start to feel down. I began to feel sorry for myself recently and questioned if I was where I wanted to be at this point in my life.
Yes, I’ve enjoyed many wonderful life experiences and reached many of my life goals. As a matter of fact, I now focus my work on helping others create happiness in their lives. And yet, because I’m human, I get sometimes get seduced into looking at the glass as half empty instead of half full.
When I get into such a funk, I don’t like it at first. Sometimes it hurts a lot to feel uncertain, unsure, and unclear. But then I realize that it is a blessing. It keeps me humble and it gives me a project from which I know I’ll eventually emerge as a stronger person and a better coach and writer.
Not only that, my search for relief makes me test new techniques and revisit ones that have worked for me before. That way when I share ideas with you, they come from a real place, not a theory. Sharing my life experiences to encourage you on your journey is what I was called to do.
One thing that I do when I get into these moods is search for motivation and words of encouragement. I was recently drawn to visit one of my favorite websites, TED.com to listen again to Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University.
The point that always resonates with me in this speech is the idea that sometimes you have to drop out in order to drop into what you are called to do. I think about that in my life when I think of endeavors I abandoned because I no longer had passion for them. There are other times when a project appeared to be a failure, but later I saw that it freed me up to something even greater. Jobs urges us to trust the process and the path we are on when we follow our passion.
I invite you to listen to Jobs share three poignant stories from his life. Draw from his stories the lesson that will make a difference in your life. Then share in the comments a time when you dropped out in order to drop in.
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I’m pleased to have started my day reading this important lesson from you, Flora, and finally watching the Steve Jobs’ commencement speech.
The reflection you mention happens in my life as well, sometimes during inclement weather, but more often when a situation triggers a not-so-great memory. It can be difficult to snap out of the funk.
I hope to recall your message and the speech whenever it occurs in the future. I’m betting both will change how I view life and the opportunities ahead.
Shirley,
I’m happy you began your day with this post as well.
The sooner we realize that the funk is part of the journey, the quicker we can use it for what it is, a lesson. Then we can be thankful for having it and move on. You’re right that our view of life is what colors our experiences.
Thanks for making time to share your thoughts and experiences with us.
It was raining yesterday and I also went into a reflective mood. I chose to drop out for a day and enjoy the sound of the rain in the background as I read a book and watched Netflix with my cuddly cat on my lap. Those days are rare in CA and I am grateful I was able to take that break from my daily life. Today, I feel more energized because of it.
Your post reminds me of a time a year or two ago when I was feeling burned out. It was only by stepping out of my life that I was able to re-connect with my goals and dreams. The most important thing for me to remember is to not ignore the signs and wait so long when the need comes again.
Thanks for the great reminder.
Hi Linda,
We all need reminding to step away and reconnect with our dreams, don’t we? I’m so happy you did.
After reading this post, I’m now beginning to look at the prolonged funk I’ve been as a time of renewal and reassessment instead of feeling burned out and discontent.
Thanks, Flora, for reminding me to look at this time as an opportunity to reassess and discover what really matters.
Hi Gladys,
Reassess. Rediscover. Reconnect. It’s tough to think of the funk as a gift, but it is the price, the path and the bridge to our joy. I’m so glad we can remind and support one another.