The Uncharted Path: Mindful Living Beyond Familiarity
What are “can” and “should,” and why do we believe we must follow a preset set of rules for everything we do? Why do we feel that things must be a particular way before we can make the next move or follow the path we feel led to follow? Better yet, why do we second guess ourselves and tend to neglect or distrust our intuition for that of another?
So much has been said about the freedom one experiences when you dare to step outside of your (comfort zone) box, yet is that not what we do when we regulate ourselves to remain in patterns, habits, relationships, and jobs that we know with profound certainty no longer serve, all to maintain some semblance of a predictable comfort zone. The irony of a comfort zone is that its predictability implies a sense of comfort when, in actuality, it feels more restrictive, often giving a sense of feeling stuck. Much like an insect stuck onto fly paper, there is a dominant urge to free oneself when that feeling arises. Although the space of stepping into the unpredictability of the unknown can evoke immense fear, we must lean into the infinite potential that lies with embarking on something completely new.
Happiness is a natural state for all beings—some search near, far, and everywhere in between to experience the joy of its riches. One can experience joy through various means. Despite how it seems outwardly, it is sourced from within, not vice versa. We do not have to wait for situations and circumstances to change in our favor to be happy, as we can consciously choose to “be happy,” and the world around us will shift to align with our state.
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