Is Your Outer Life Representing Your Inner Life?
Have you ever thought, "This is not the life I am supposed to be living!" Is it possible that deep down inside you know you are not living the life you are meant to be living-your one true life?
You try to shrug it off, but the thought lingers. It haunts you because you know that you are not living in a way that expresses who you really are or your deepest values. And, therefore, you are not happy, satisfied, or energized. You are not in the zone of your own life.
For most of us, it's not a new thought. Many have heard an inner call to live differently for a long time. Sometimes it's a big calling or possibly just a nudge. Maybe the call comes as a new career or a divorce. Maybe the call is the awareness that you are not living the lifestyle you want-a lifestyle that may includs exercise, fresh air, good eating patterns or wise choices.
How are you living your life? Are you thinking, being, and doing things that are a reflection of who and what you want? Is your outer life a representation of what is most important to you...your inner life? And, if not, what can you do about it?
According to Carl Rogers, one of the most reliable predictors of mental health is the gap between where you think you are and where you want to be-the larger the gap, the greater our unrest and dissatisfaction. How wide is the gap between what you're doing and what you want to be doing? Between what you say and what you do?
Most of us have not taken the time to do the personal growth work that helps us get to know our true heart's desires. This is work of living life by design.
On a scale of 1-5 (five being completely satisfied), how satisfied am I with my physical, emotional, financial, spiritual (etc) life? Rate all of the areas. Does your Wheel of Life looked balanced? Will it provide a smooth or bumpy ride?
What are your two lowest satisfaction scores? How much time per day do you spend in these areas?
What are your two highest scores? How much time per day do you spend in these?
In six months, where would you like your satisfaction score to be in each of the areas of your life?
What would you have to be, do, or think to move your level of satisfaction from one level to the next?
And then you listen.because you really do know the answers. From doing this exercise, clarity and a plan may unfold. You may be able to see the next steps for living your one wild and precious life.
Stop and do the work. Knowing where you are and where you want to go, and taking the next steps in your life, will take you to your zone; back to feeling vital, alive, energized and on purpose.
Does this describe the life you are living? Are you in the zone of your life? If not, don't worry; there is a plethora of self-help information everywhere to guide each of us on our journey. You must merely seek it. Remember the metaphysical law of the universe.What you seek, seeks you!
Dr. Kathy Murphy is a licensed professional counselor, life coach, teacher, retreat facilitator and author. Her new book, Your Possible Life, offers inspiration and strategies for exploring and building your life. Log onto her website at www.kathymurphyphd.com to check out her weekly blog and get more information about the upcoming Women's Weekend Retreat in Palm Key, SC.