The Thriving Writer

In times of despair, sometimes all you have to say is “Thank You” and for a few moments it will feel like all your burdens have simply disappeared.

Thank You – 2 words, 8 letters to show your gratitude for everything that is your life; what sucks, what works, your friends, your family, your antagonists, current lovers, past lovers, unrequited loves.

There’s a Latin phrase for this state of acceptance and gratitude

Amor Fati  

Love of one’s fate.

This isn’t surrender; it’s a moment when you show appreciation for all that is you.

Most of us prefer to keep our dastardly deeds and unpleasant parts of our lives hidden in the dark.  It is important to realize, however, we are NOT our habits or actions.  Those activities define our behavior and our behavior is not who we are.  Who we are is closely aligned with why we do what we do. The why is how we define our character…and in this life our character is who we are for the purpose of fulfilling our destiny.

In the movie, The Family Man, Jack Campbell (Nicholas Cage) says “the  biggest part of judging character is knowing yourself”.  He made this claim to allow others to understand that he knew what he would do in any given situation.  Spoiler: The movie is about fate and destiny”

Knowing yourself isn’t a new concept. It is, however, the most important lesson you will ever undertake.

The Mysteries (a religious system) of Ancient Egypt charged its students to “Know Thy Self”. Another ancient culture, still in existence, The Yoruba people speak of Ori ¹  an individual’s human consciousness or destiny & fate.

When you show appreciation for all that’s in your life – it forces you to take inventory of life and when you do – showing gratitude maybe the one action that you can take to help you determine if you’re on YOUR path.

Say “thank you” for it all. In the grand scheme of things, it’s what makes you, you.  If you don’t already know and love yourself, really love yourself then start by being grateful.

 

Do you walk around with a nagging suspicion that you’ve lost something?  You don’t know what’s missing but you’re convinced if you find it you’ll feel better.

Newsflash, you haven’t lost anything.

You’ve left something behind; your vocation.

Did you know Merriam-Webster identifies the etymology of vocation as vocare which is Latin for CALL?  Some even interpret it as a spiritual calling and yours is haunting you.

You were actively involved in some vocation, your true life’s calling and then all of a sudden it wasn’t important to you anymore and you left it undone.   Now there it sits right where you left it; left in a point in time, like a lost puppy, waiting for your return.  

That nagging sensation whimpering in your subconscious is your personal “unfinished business” and it has you stuck.

Like a prank call, it interrupts, preventing you from moving forward on your life’s journey.   The thing is although you may have quit, your life’s calling didn’t quit you.

When you’re still, it nuzzles up right beside you whispering in your ear, “Remember me”.

Life has a funny way of showing us what is important. If it matters, it won’t leave us alone.

Does this seem familiar?  Then now is the time to tie up those loose ends.

Your life is calling.

~MH