Remember as kids you would see other kids playing at a ball field, a soccer game or some other sport? You waited by the sidelines until you heard the magic words, “join in.” And someone waved you in and you got a chance to be part of the game.
Well, so many of us wait on the sideline of life waiting for someone to say, “join in – come be part of it.” We look to our family, friends, church or some other “source” to give us permission to show up and be part of our own lives. Crazy. We don’t need any permission but our own to join in and be actively involved in creating the life we want.
When I talk to people about joining in – and why they don’t – most say one of these two things:
1. I didn’t know how;
2. I didn’t have the courage.
Part of my mission with The Greatness Zone is to help people discover their unique abilities – their talents, strengths and passions. Because the more each of us know ourselves – our particular gifts - the more we know how to join in – how to build our lives around what matters to us and what we are moved by. This gives us the courage to find our own voice and not wait to be asked to join in. This gives us the courage to have life our way, not looking for approval from anyone but ourselves.
*This can show up as the one person in a family that chooses to live in New Zealand to study seals when the rest of the family lives close to each other in the northeast.
*This can show up as the one person in a family that finds her greatest spiritual growth is not in the tradition of her family, but in something completely different.
*This can show up as someone who chooses to start his own business and not work for someone else.
*This can show up as someone who gives up a family’s wealth to live with and work with the poor.
Join in life – and have it your way. Don’t wait for an invitation.
Each day we get a blank page. We use your talents, strengths and passions to fill the page in anyway we want. Most people add few if any marks or colors on the page – not because they choose to, but because they are waiting to be invited to or they don’t have the courage to challenge the way things are to create what they want instead.
Joining in is the opposite of living a life of regret. See the Regrets of the Dying in the blog, Inspiration and Chai by Bronnie Ware, The basic message of the regrets of the dying is that they never really joined in – they never lived life the way they wanted to – they waited for the right time or for permission. You have the permission. And whenever you have the courage is the right time.
What changes can you make short term and long term to love your life? Join in life – and have it your way. Don’t wait for an invitation.
Good news should always be shared and joining in and having life your way is good news. Please share this with someone who can benefit from this message. And contact me for more information about how to join in life and other Greatness Coaching techniques to help you live life in your Zone.
