If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it. – John Irving
Who knows what you’ll find when you turn over a new leaf. Could that be courage?
What does that mean?
We each have this life of ours to live. We have the ability to make choices (I won’t get into free will here). Our lives are largely what we make of them, based on our choices, on our decisions.
The quote starts with the idea that we just might find ourselves ‘lucky’ enough to stumble on a way of life that we not only like, but actually love. This love, of course, is more about profound appreciation and enjoyment, rather than something romantic.
The quote finishes by saying if such a situation occurs, that we should try to find the courage to seize the opportunity. Live the way of life we love, with courage, once we find it.
Other than bristling at the word ‘luck’ and the sloppy use of the word ‘love,’ it’s a rock solid quote. We don’t find a great way of life strictly by luck. Usually we work our way towards it over time. No matter how we find it, embracing it is a great idea.
Why is finding the courage to live your life important?
We are all bombarded every day with a push for general conformity. Even contrarian and anti-establishment groups have their own conformity. Imagine trying to be a hippie in the 60’s with short hair and an aversion to drugs.
Somehow I don’t think you would feel very accepted. Try being a goth in today’s culture without any black clothing, and defiantly sporting blond hair. Even the counter-culture has a form of conformity pressure.
Living your life the way which best suits you can be a true challenge. A great deal of that challenge will be dealing with those who don’t see things the way you do. Worse yet are those who want to help you.
At some age, we have to take both the initiative and the responsibility to live our own lives. That includes finding the courage to try things that we believe, and taking the consequences of that action.
Where can I apply this in my life?
We all have things we like to do. I like to sleep, eat, and play games on my computer. However, that isn’t a life that takes courage to live. At least I haven’t found a way to make it pay the bills. Perhaps, if I had an idea, I could find the courage to make it work.
What would you consider your dream job? Why is it your dream job? Is it because the work is challenging? Interesting? Helpful to others? Does it capture your imagination? Is it your passion? Or is it just something easy enough and makes just enough money?
Does that take courage, or is it the easy way out? Take some time and think about it. What in your life do you like to do? What are you good at doing? What would you love to be paid to do all day? How can you make it happen? These are the questions which could well lead you to a life you love.
We’ve all heard stories of people ‘checking out of the rat race’ and living a more streamlined life. Yes, they usually make a lot less money. But their needs have been ‘streamlined’ as well. They’re usually a lot less stressed and a lot happier. They found the courage to try it.
What about you? What in your life do you really need? Where in your life can you cut back? How streamlined can you live and still be relatively pleased with your circumstances? How much does that take? Will you have to move? If so, is there someplace more appropriate to the new life you are considering?
Can you make enough to support that life, or do you love it enough to cut back a little more? Do you have the courage to step out and live it, or is it just a dream? We all have dreams about doing things, but not all of them make sense at this point in our lives, right?
Sometimes it takes courage to not do something. Just because you can doesn’t mean it’s the right decision for you, at least right now. As an example, I’m getting ready to put two kids through college. It’ll be another decade before I’m free to pursue what I want. It takes courage.
Finding what you truly love to do, and figuring out how to make it work can take a lifetime to figure out. Or it could come to you tomorrow. Have the courage to think it through, weigh all your options, and then execute the proper decision. It’s up to you.
From: Twitter, @thequote
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnirving121146.html
Photo by jridgewayphotography
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- Life Shrinks or Expands in Proportion to One’s Courage. ~ Sherri Rosen (elephantjournal.com)
