You know what was really helpful for me last year???
It’s an amazing and simple exercise, that I will share with you now.
Grab a pen & paper, or open Word.
Now ask yourself:
What did you love to do as a little child? (till age 10)
And start writing everything down.
How did you spend your days? Where? Did you like to be alone or with others? What did you do a lot?
Drawing, singing, playing outside with friends, alone with your toys, having adventures in nature, solving puzzles, fixing things, dancing, making music, acting, writing, painting, doing maths, speaking other languages, helping other kids, investigating stuff,…
These are some general ideas, but be as specific as you can.
Take at least 5 minutes and write everything down that pops up.
DON’T include things from your teenage years. When we are teenagers we become more and more influenced by our surroundings. We want to be cool, to fit in.
Up till 10 years you were doing things from a more authentic place. You were still more ‘pure’.
Do it now.
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When you are done, look at your list. Contemplate it.
> Which things are you still doing? Which not and why?
For example: I realised that I was still doing the things that I love AND I consider myself good at – like dancing. But I stopped doing the things I loved, that as an adult I felt I wasn’t “good enough” at – like drawing.
It was an invitation for me to start playing again with some of the things that I stopped doing.
So I take some distance from my inner critic by observing my thoughts (‘You’re drawings look horrible’) – and then I do it anyway. And remind myself I don’t have to be “good” at it. I can just enjoy it!
> Does the way you spend your time now align with how you were as a child?
For example: when I was small, if I was with a group, I loved to entertain. But I also really liked one on one time with friends. And I would spend hours and hours playing by myself, almost every day – I really loved that and needed that. If somebody came to disturb me when I was playing by myself, it would really annoy me.
How does this relate to the now? As a teacher, I still like to entertain – make jokes, set the mood during a (tantric) party, etc. I can use these qualities when I’m facilitating tantra workshops.
With close friends, I love to meet one on one and really give all of my attention to that person.
And when I had made my list, I realised how important it is for me to be by myself, alone in a room, in my own space and energy. I really enjoy that and I need it to recharge.
It was an important reminder for me to give myself that space.
> How can you implement those passions and soul qualities into your work or possible job?
I have 3 degrees: as a Spanish teacher (M.A.), hatha yoga teacher and tantra teacher.
Looking at my list, I realised Spanish was related to my early interest in other languages (English at that time). I realised yoga was related to my search for the meaning of life and to wanting to help other people be happy.
And mostly I realised how in tantra maaaany of the things I loved doing are combined. Helping others, dancing, expressing myself, exploring love and sexuality, giving massages (I loved to massage my mom?) and finding a deeper meaning to life. And even more stuff.
I was pretty amazed by this.
It is so important to dedicate yourself to the things that you love. Rather than what you are good at.
If you love something, you can become “good” at it, by practising.
This doesn’t work the other way around!!!
If you’re good at something, you CANNOT start loving it, by practising.
So you may be good at it, but if you don’t really love it, you never will. And it’s basically a waste of your precious life.
So don’t focus on your talents, focus on what you love.
But what about money? and bla bla bla, there comes the mind.
There is always a way. There are soooooo many possible jobs.
If it’s too scary or not practical to dedicate yourself fully to what you most love doing > get a part time job, spend less money and start to do what you love in your free time.
Don’t work hard to buy the newest gadgets, to go to a restaurant every week, to go on holidays as often as you can. Just to not feel the pain of not living your dream life.
Fuck that.
Work less, spend less and do what you love.
Let your love grow into your work.
Build your dream life.
Your dream life is when you do the things you LOVE.
So happy new year and plan for a freaking miracle! ❤️
Shivani
P.s. Connect with me here: on instagram or Facebook – and keep on inspiring yourself!
