I recently ran across this quote:

“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do.
The hard part is doing it.”  – General H. Norman Schwarzkopf

General Schwarzkopf is probably talking about military/political stuff, but I have to disagree. (Well, maybe I don’t have to, but I do.) Sure, it’s easy to know that you shouldn’t steal, maim or murder. That stuff is black and white, but there are many shades of gray. Still, I’m not interested in talking about moral issues today. I’m interested in talking about something different – like life. So, let’s switch gears just a bit.

What Do You Want From Life?

I’m not one of those people who knew from an early age what I wanted to be when I grew up. I’ve tried different things, and even enjoyed them, but it’s been a real challenge for me to know what would make my heart sing – despite the fact that I am very intuitive and know myself pretty well. I’ve always thought the opposite of General Schwarzkopf. I always thought that, once I knew the right thing to do (for me), doing it would be easy.

The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in between. Some of us did know what we wanted when we were small people, and have led a very directed life. For those of us who have meandered, life has held something very different. Maybe you’re different. Maybe you’ve had to peel away the layers to get to the real you, and now that you’re getting closer to the core, you’re ready for that inspiration to spring forth and propel you forward to the life you never before dreamed.

Ah, Midlife Has Its Rewards.

Now that I know the right thing for me (now), I’m finding that doing it has its own set of challenges. I’m finding these challenges to be exhilarating and that they are stretching me. I like that. I realize that all the inner work I’ve done has brought me to this threshold of a whole new world – of me. And, yet, it’s not all about me. It’s about how I can bring my gifts to the world in a way that’s gratifying for me and those that accept them. I’m not even talking anything grandiose, here. I just mean being fully myself so that my gifts spring forth naturally for those who would most benefit from those gifts. Maybe a smile to a stranger that I pass. Maybe a word of encouragement for a friend. Maybe more. Maybe much more.

What About You?

So, what do you think? Is it easier to know what’s right for you or to do what you need to do to make it happen in the world? Are you ready for your gifts to spring forth?