What is holding you back from what you want out of life? Recently I’ve been asking myself a lot of questions. The kind of questions that have the potential to bring new information to light and reorganize our minds. “What do I really want of life?” has been the main one. “Who or what am I?” are ongoing for me as part of my spiritual practice.
Often our minds have a state of inertia to new information, however. Our ego wants to keep us safe in our comfort zone and will resist taking in new information that has the potential to change our lives.
By the way, my song Butterfly is about this idea of transformation after a struggle.
What Do You Want Out Of Life? Looking Within For Answers
Questions such as “what is life? What do I want out of life? What actions can I take? Is there anything I need to learn? Is there anything I’m not looking at? etc.” can be helpful in getting answers.
The trick is we need to be listening when the answers come on cue. And they do. But we have to be willing to listen.
Recently, a few people have randomly said something along the lines of “when you’re famous” to me when talking about my music.
I didn’t pay any attention to it at first. Here’s why…
Being on a path of personal and spiritual growth I made a decision many years ago that fame was “bad.” Not to mention observing so many celebrities having huge issues and falls from grace.
I thought fame was a dangerous thing (perhaps it is — but that’s for another discussion). Many years ago, when I was aligned with that kind of thinking, I got into trouble with alcohol etc. I was very active in bands and although this was because I was a serious and dedicated musician, I also based my sense of self worth on how well my band did. I wanted notoriety — and actually had some here in Toronto’s club scene with one of my bands starting to build a small and loyal following.
Energy Vampires
sidenote: It turned out that my co founder in that band was an “energy vampire” and I eventually realized I had to walk away. The gift in that was that I realized I truly wanted to be a solo artist. As a highly empathic person it took me a while to understand learn that there are people who truly do not have your best interests in mind.
But because of what people said to me (about being famous) recently, I reviewed my feelings about fame. I discovered it was probably better to have an open mind to the possibility. Especially since on a conscious level I’ve been doing my best to find the people who would appreciate my music and be uplifted by it.
Everybody Wants To Rule The World…
If I’m pushing away fame, I may inadvertently be blocking the flow of energy I need to get my music and message out in front of people.
I realized with all the reflection and self inquiry I’ve done in my life — along with the experience I’ve gathered — that I’m now far less vulnerable to either criticism or flattery (I’m not perfect — I DO certainly prefer compliments, but it doesn’t make me overly excited. It’s more like “Cool. That’s very nice to hear”).
It suddenly struck me that fame being dangerous was nothing more than an unexamined belief. Fame is like anything else. It’s neither “good” nor “bad.” There’s no need to label it. There’s enough polarization going on in our world as it is! I don’t have to agree with your opinions — or even like you, for that matter — in order to Love you as a part of the tapestry of Life.
Besides, I have a theory that eventually fame won’t be something that exists anymore. Everyone will be so connected and a vast number of talented people will be heard in various ways. It’s already well on it’s way now.
I don’t need fame to own my own sense of natural self esteem — the kind where I don’t feel above or below anyone. Even thought we’ve been taught since any of us can remember about the “pecking order” in our society.
I don’t need fame to prove myself to anyone, although that might be a little gravy to add to the pie where any naysayers are concerned!
What Are You Afraid Of That Just Might Be Holding You Back?
But I’m no longer afraid of it. Wanting to hide our light for fear of others disapproving of us is an almost universal plight. I’ve been struggling with it my whole life, but I think I’m beginning to see results and feeling much more freedom!
I’m not saying that “fame” will happen for me. I honestly don’t think it’s a realistic possibility as I’m not very aligned with mainstream media. But the subconscious fear of fame is no longer blocking my energy, beliefs or actions.
Why all this talk about fame? I’m a musician and speaker. The more people know about me, the more impact my message has. And this means I can spend even more time and energy focusing on creating this message via my music, writing and talks.
As I said, I’m fairly confident that fame in my case would definitely not be celebrity status. That’s fine as that is not what I truly want. What I want is more like that 1,000 true fans type of ideal. I’d like to be able to continue life normally while making my authentic contributions.
Like a successful self-help book author whom you may not recognize on the street type of thing (unless you were their fan). That would be really nice.
If not, I will continue learning, growing and making the best music I can. Writing the best articles I can.
Loving the people in my life to the best of my ability. And above all, being grateful for what is here now in the present moment.
What about you? What do you want out of life?
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