Dear Ones —
A friend of this page named Amanda asked me this morning if I could speak to the question of how to stay out of your own way, when it comes to pursuing success.
And I thought, "Gee, I've never sabotaged myself at all, so I'm not sure I can speak to this…"
Kidding.
KIDDING.
For me, it comes down to entitlement — which is a word that is generally only ever used in negative connotations, but which needs to be appropriated here and put to good use.
Do you believe in your core that you are entitled to do well in life? Entitled to create? Entitled to try to manifest your dreams? Entitled to take up every inch of space that your talents require in order to come into being? Entitled to be satisfied with yourself when you succeed? Entitled to want to do even better next time? Entitled to perhaps surpass people's expectations of you? Or even entitled to surpass your own family's levels (and definitions) of success? (WHOOPS, that kind of makes your stomach flip over a bit in fear, right? Because: "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, BETTER THAN US?")
I think what holds us back — what has held me back at times — is lack of trust.
When I sabotage my own path, it's because I don't trust my own inner navigator, or because I'm remaining loyal to outdated ideas of myself (or, worse, because I'm trying to remain loyal to other people by forcing myself to stay at their level — a crookedly "compassionate" plan that has never done anything but backfire horribly, by the way.)
But if I trust that my inspiration and ambition were hard-wired into me for a reason, then it becomes easier for me to cooperate with my dreams. I think, "The universe didn't put all this stuff within me so that it could lie dormant." If the universe didn't want me to be a writer, it shouldn't have made me one. I am composed of a particular combination of ingredients that all want the same thing — to be a storyteller. What right do I have to stand in the way of that, just because my own evolution sometimes makes my ego nervous?
When you look at it that way (that you were created by a divine source, which hardwired talents and gifts and dreams into you for a reason) then self-sabotage suddenly seems to be a kind of blasphemy — a desecration.
Which is, I think, what the Gospel of St. Thomas means, with this line: "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don't bring forth what is within you, what you don't bring forth will destroy you."
Bring your talents forth. They really want to see the light of day. And we want your talents to see the light of day. Amanda, we really need for you to do the things which only you can do. (Because nobody else can do those things in quite the same manner.) That's what you're here for. And if you bring forth what is remarkable within yourself, you will inspire and empower others to do the same, which will make our broken world a better place.
Think of pursuing your dreams, therefore, as both a form of prayer and a community service.
And yes, get out of your own way!
ONWARD,
LG
via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall
My brand new TED talk…
For those of you who haven't yet seen this — here's the talk I gave at the TED conference back in March of this year. It's sort of a follow-up to the one I gave back in 2009. This one is all about success and failure, and how to navigate them both safely.
Hope you enjoy!
https://bit.ly/1k1jnRu
LG
Success, failure and the drive to keep creating
www.ted.com
Elizabeth Gilbert was once an "unpublished diner waitress," devastated by rejection letters. And yet, in the wake of the success of 'Eat, Pray, Love,' she found herself identifying strongly with her former self. With beautiful insight, Gilbert reflects on why success can be as disorienting as failur…
via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall
Dear Ones –
Yesterday, a friend of this page named Gloria asked if I would write some advice to her daughter, who is in her senior year, about to head off into life.
Such an honor to be asked!
So today I thought I would share with you all the thoughts I gathered for this young girl on the brink of adulthood (or, as we say it my family, "on the adult of brinkhood"):
"Out into the world you go! Here is some advice along your way: Stay out of debt! Keep your expenses low and learn how to live without luxuries so you can have a bigger and more free life, unbound by the fear of the bill collector. Remember that Autonomy Is The God of Woman. Never give your heart or your body to anyone who doesn't view you as a precious treasure. Never use another person's heart or body as a way to pass time while you're waiting for real love to come along. Don't ever expect somebody else to hand your destiny to you — go out and find it. Follow your curiosity bravely, because ultimately it is your curiosity that will lead you to your passion. Remember that you are not made of sugar candy: You are stronger than you think, more powerful than you could ever imagine. Therefore, stay near people who know that you are strong and stay away from people who fear that you are weak. Character is more important than personality, both in yourself and in your friends. Learn how to be happy alone. Listen more than you speak. (I'm still learning this one!) Don't worry what anyone is thinking about you; they are only ever thinking about themselves, anyhow. Don't smoke. Don't ride motorcycles — especially not in Southeast Asia. Floss. Wear your seatbelt. Don't drink sugary sodas. Try to be creative for a half an hour a day. Save your money (have I mentioned this?) and give yourself the gift of travel. Don't get married too young: Statistics show that the happiest women are those who delayed marriage. (In the meantime, if you want to wear a pretty diamond ring, you can always buy one for yourself.) Be interested and you will always be interesting. Have FUN! Love, Liz"
(ps: I took this photo of the sky yesterday with my iPhone. It really is a pretty spectacular world. Go out there and look up.)
via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall
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Heart,
LG
Official Website for Best Selling Author Elizabeth Gilbert
https://ift.tt/sUqSyM
The official website for Elizabeth Gilbert, the best selling author of "Eat, Pray, Love", as well as "The Signature of All Things", "Committed" and more.
via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall
