Monday, April 20, 2009

Listen to your heart.

Just when I found out the meaning of life, they changed it. George Carlin
I was reading about a study conducted by psychologists to answer the question, "What makes people happy." A research team from Personality 100 sent out queries to elderly people in 20 countries and asked them to answer the question, 'If you could give one piece of advice on how to find true satisfaction in life, what would it be?'

Astoundingly, regardless of race, ethnic background, religion, socio/economic position, or anything else, the answers were very similar:

1. As soon as possible, take the time to get to know yourself, and
2. Learn how to follow your own heart.

Great advice!

One respondent answered, "I believe the most important thing is to never settle for being a passenger in your life. Jump into the driver's seat."

I have spent an inordinate part of my life being a passenger. What a joy to become the driver of my own destiny, of my own happiness, my own self. The meaning in my life appears in living colour when I give it my 100% and live it up, live it large, live it each day as my best day yet.

This morning I am driving to Banff, a mountain village an hour's drive to the west of the city, to speak to high school students about my work in the homeless shelter. It's an early morning class and I must be on the road by 7am -- so this blog is short.

The question is: How much time do you plan on spending today getting to know yourself? What is your heart telling you? Are you listening?

2 comments:

i am storm. said...

i too have spent an inordinate amount of time either on autopilot or letting someone else drive my life. no more. last year i took back control and it is great.

i have spent much of the time relearning me, who i am, what i want, and what makes me happy. i am learning to value me.

storm

Rita said...

I too have been a passenger in my life and at times still feel I am- I am taking charge slowly- as for following my heart and listening- I think I have to practice that more- the mind sometimes is in conflict with the heart and is hard to stop the old tape recording that goes in my mind-changing one's thinking patterns is a challenge but worth the effort in the end- as I strive to live my fulfilled- with peace-joy-hope-laughter-silliness and love.