Are you settling?

Are you in tune with your life’s purpose – the big why of your presence on this planet at this particular time and place?

Do you know what you are meant to do with this one precious life of yours?

And more importantly, are you making each decision based on whether your choice helps or hinders living your life in alignment with that purpose?

I often marvel that it took me almost 50 years to figure this one out – but then I realized that I had an inkling a long, long time ago…and then I settled. And settled. And settled some more.

I didn’t think of it as settling – I thought of it as compromise. After all, I was willingly and happily committing to things I knew I wanted in life – marriage, children, nice home, good job, a retirement fund, and I knew certain things had to be given up for those.

But when I reached middle age and felt stuck, tired, restless, resentful – even of the things I had committed to – I knew that it was time for a change.

My parents’ generation would call it a midlife crisis – the trigger that makes people at a minimum throw up their hands, go into therapy, buy a Mercedes convertible, or the more extreme versions – have an affair, get a divorce, run away to an ashram….

Lucky for me, I didn’t do any of the above – but I did realize (with help from a variety of resources) that I had to stop, be quiet, and listen for that still, small voice that I had drowned out with the busy-ness of everyday life, the voice that was my calling.

I have found a way to live more authentically – more in alignment with my life’s purpose – and get back on the road that leads to my highest goals.

The result? I wouldn’t exchange the joy and growth of the last two (+48) years for anything.

I often hear clients say, “I don’t regret [fill in the blank with a life choice]” or “I know that I have to deal with [fill in the blank with an especially unappealing obligation].” And then there’s a pause and “but….”

If you find yourself saying this, stop and ask yourself why. A thought-provoking post on MindBodyGreen might help you think through it and offers a great distinction between compromise (what we do with preferences) and settling (what we do with values).

Ready to explore a bit further and strategize about how to walk the road toward your life’s purpose?

Through the end of the year, I’m offering a strategy session – a “one-off” version of health coaching that can get you started down that road.

It may be enough for you to reignite that fire, but if you find you want more support and accountability along the way, you can apply the $75 fee toward a health coaching series.

Strategy sessions can be done in person or over the phone.

Email me for more information…and stop settling!