We have all been placed on this earth to discover our own path

We have all been placed on this earth to discover our own path, and we will never be happy if we live someone else’s idea of life.

There is such joy in seeing happiness, contentment, and peace when someone finds their right path, their calling or their life’s work. There is no greater joy than seeing someone settle gently in the path of their God-given talents, skills and abilities.

Now there is another side that I see and that is when someone is not following their dream. When they are following the dream of someone else, that makes for a rough road. I’m not saying it’s impossible and I’m not saying that someone cannot grow to love the path they were told to follow. But from where I sit (and coach, and speak, and council), I just find the idea of discovering our own path to be the easier weight to carry.

The reason I have come to this conclusion is that I truly believe we have all been placed on this earth to discover our own path. And we will never be happy if we live someone else’s idea of life. I am sure one can grow into a bit of happiness and survive, but I don’t encourage that path. Life is to be lived and not just survived.

I know that many parents, friends, and bosses push people to “fit in” because they think that is what is needed, or expected, or it is what “our family does.” I see kids applying to medical school, not because they want to be a doctor, but because it is what Mom and Dad want. I help students work on law school interviews because Grandpa was a lawyer—so you have to go to law school to carry on the family name. Sometimes it’s “you’re next in line in the family business, so buck it up and be happy because your last name is on the building.” These are justified with “don’t worry, you’ll learn to love it in time.” For many that’s okay, until it is not. My encouragement to you is that you consider letting your young person, your spouse or your friend discover their own true path?

It is always interesting to me when, in mid-life, people up and change direction. As they see the birthdays pass by and the aches-and-pains kick up or, heaven forbid, friends pass away it is a reminder that life is short. It is too short not to do what you dream of or love. You should at least try to make of go of it.

Now I realize we both know people who have done this and ended up with crazy results. They divorce their spouse or they join a rock band—at least until they come to the realization that was a bad idea. So no, I’m not talking about being foolish, but today I am encouraging you to consider the steps that will lead you down your own path.