That little whisper.
That’s what it started with. I couldn’t really put my finger on it, but it was there.
I heard it as it asked ‘is this all there is?’ ‘Who are you?’ ‘Why are you here?’
I heard it when someone asked me what I was passionate about and my mind went blank.
I heard it when I felt like there was something wrong with me because I didn’t feel fulfilled by the life that I had created.
I spent years silencing it because I couldn’t comprehend that someone with everything I had, and worked so hard for, couldn’t be happy. It was impossible.
I thought I was crazy. I was ashamed. I was miserable. I was totally isolated, the shame preventing me from admitting to anyone outside of my own head that it could be true.
It wasn’t about my beautiful kids or my husband. I loved my family. It was about a hole inside of me that even the greatest love for others couldn’t fill. It was about loving myself.
For a long time no one had any other idea what was happening. I made sure of it. I continued with life as normal with the birthday parties, family vacations and little league games.
In fact, from the outside, everything looked 'perfect'.
Then, tired of not being heard, that little whisper became an ear splitting roar and just like that I was in deep crisis.
In retrospect, I realize that for so many years, the voice was overrun by fear. The fear of admitting I was wrong. The fear of what would come next. The fear of what people would think. There was a battle going on inside of me between what my heart was telling me I needed and the fear of what would happen if I listened.
It was easier to stay comfortably numb than it was to take a risk and step out into the great unknown.
But the truth is, growth and stasis are mutually exclusive. As Lou Holz said, ‘You’re either growing or you’re dying…’
I am grateful every day that I was given that opportunity to take my life, shake it upside down, and put it back together again. Don’t get me wrong, it was excruciatingly painful and difficult at times, but those were the growing pains that created a life that is even better than I could have ever imagined. I have purpose. I have passion. I have joy. I am doing something I love.
I think that there are many people out there where the fear of taking action and going through the steps of pursuing a life they love is holding them hostage. Keeping them safe. They may not be to the point of crisis like I was, but they may have a little voice that is trying to make itself heard.
Are you one of them?
If any of this resonates with you, don’t let yourself get to the point of crisis like I did. Whether it’s a minor tweak, or a major upheaval pay attention to that voice inside you that’s asking for more. Ask yourself the questions, what am I passionate about? What do I want my life to look like? And then, give yourself the gift of quiet time to just listen. You deserve it.
Are you ready to find your passion and purpose?
Wherever you are on your journey, just know you too can rediscover what is important to YOU – I can help you. Simply sign up for a free 30 minute Pathway to Purpose Breakthrough Session where we'll talk one on one to dig into one of your biggest challenges you're struggling with when it comes to finding fulfillment in your life. I'll put together a mini plan for you so you can begin getting on with your life!
Click on my calendar link to sign up for a FREE 30 minute Pathway to Purpose Breakthrough Session now. https://calendly.com/bridgetbelden/30min