Reading time: 5 – 8 minutes
Feel free to play the above song while your read this article … or don’t. It just so happened to be blaring from my headphones as I wrote this very article for your reading and life enjoyment. A true, obvious classic of inspiration in musical form.
What is it about life that makes us question our ability to live out our dreams? Is it a lack of motivation, will, desire… drive? Or is it something else that is holding the caged animal and lover of life to finally take that last leap of faith into the abyss of the unknown?
My friends, I’m here to tell you that any and all things are possible as we embark on this journey of life. Unless reincarnation is the real deal, this is your one moment in time where you are given a chance to make all things possible. Whether the dream be of a white picket fence, 5 little tykes and 2 basset hounds, or a life of complete mobility to where the world is your oyster and no stone remains unturned. I believe in an unorthodox approach to life and believe in living with that true purpose. Each of you have that one specific truth that ignites your internal flame, inspiring you to jump out of bed in the morning and breath the fresh air that’s been given to you.
That being said, it is all too often that many of you find yourselves on the “normal path” and remain attached to the comfort and security in societal expectations. Work your 9 to 5, pay the bills, try to sneak in a few workouts a week and then the remainder “free time” gets filled with stress releases, typically fogged by excessive alcohol and late night pizza (not that I would know anything about that :)). Is that what this is all about? Really!? Or do you believe there is more to this life than waking up in the AM, filling the pockets of your corporate employer, only to find your head in a pile of exhaustion and mush at the end of the day? Is the box of confinement tearing you apart head to toe? If so, guys and gals… It’s time to rethink your approach to the life you are living. The approach that was essentially engraved in you from the early years of childhood. It’s time to think outside the box and embrace a life of meaning, purpose and passion.
I want you to take a few seconds to stop and think to yourself, “if I could have it my way, my dream reality day to day would be … (fill in the blank).” And that is it. Seriously, that is the first and most important step. Once you’ve chosen the path of what your dream reality, you’re already further along than 95% of the population. Most people simply ignore their dreams and let them remain just that… a dream. Now that you’ve chosen the new path, it’s time to make a game plan towards making that happen. Give all of yourself towards making this new reality an actual day to day event. You can and should do this. Believe in yourself and believe in your abilities. Try to remember that life is about the journey. Give your path a purpose and the journey will be a gratifying and rewarding process. Never lose sight of the end goal… because after all, it is your dream!
If you find yourself thinking how lucky that famous musician, actress or author is, remind yourself that they too were an everyday Joe or Jane with a little dream nestled away. Maybe your dream isn’t fame or fortune… neither is mine. But it may involve a particular way of life that is purely custom to your life desires. Always remember that your dream can and should be fulfilled. Right now, you are waking up each day and deciding your current reality. Unless you’re of the lucky few already living your dream, all you have to do is decide something else.
Continue to Live and Love and Live some more…
Below is a look at my “office” this week. Anything is possible.
A look at my "office" this week. Anything is possible.
Live, Love, and Thrive with Purpose…
On September 11th TOdd Bandiagara and I will Walk 3600 Miles from Coast to Coast to raise awareness on Childhood Obesity.
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I love it Patrick. There are two responses I have to the article. For those of you who don’t know me, this will sound odd to you…and for those of you who DO know me, this will sound even more odd.
1. Failure. The fear of failure is one of the most debilitating emotions I have faced in my life. As someone who went from a healthy happy person, to a 225 lbs miserable woman in college, I know what emotional baggage can come with setting a goal. It seems unachievable. It’s almost easier to stay in the normal unhappy and unhealthy day-to-day than to take a risk. Sometimes the comfort of knowing we won’t fail if we never try is enough to keep us where we are.
In the last few years I’ve had quite a few goals. Some I’ve achieved (losing the college weight) and some I’ve failed (hiking 10 14ers last season) but I have continued to set goals for myself knowing that the joy that accompanies the completion of a goal far outweighs the feeling of disappointment when I don’t achieve a goal. Even the times I haven’t fully realized a goal, I have learned so much about myself during the process that it is undoubtedly, still a success.
2. Listening to you talk about “purpose” convicted me to make a statement that plays off that idea. I have spent so much of my life trying to determine my purpose. What I wanted to do, what I should do. I believed that anything and everything I wanted I deserved to have. Why wouldn’t I? I worked hard, I played harder, and naturally, I felt entitled to the joy and pleasure that accompanied my “freedom.”
I’ll make this short and to the point. About 6 months ago I realized I was not free. Not in the least. The search for freedom had left me drinking too much, playing around with drugs, and satisfying my flesh with every man that I could lure (pretty accurate word) into my bedroom. There is no freedom in being a slave to the constant drive for “freedom.” If we constantly strive to be filled with our own flesh filled desires we will be left with the idea of joy…but we will remain empty.
I gave my life to Christ about 6 months ago, and for the first time, EVER, I found freedom. I found my purpose. I saw the Lord for what He really was, not some being that was trying to squash my fun and desires on this earth, but a Father who wanted me to experience every kind of joy that even I couldn’t comprehend. I saw myself for what I really was, a broken sinner trying everything she could grasp to fill the hole that my selfish desires and futile efforts of happiness had left me with.
About 6 months ago I accepted Christ. I acknowledged that I was broken and unhappy. I accepted that I was creating my own purpose, one that was so far from the purpose the Lord laid out for me. In my heart I stated that I knew I was a sinner, and that Christ died for my sins. He paid the price that I deserved to pay, and in it, gave me freedom and purpose that no other goal that I could dream up on my own could have given me.
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have goals and we shouldn’t take advantage of this wonderful life we have been given. But I AM saying, that if you want to know what your purpose is. Not what you WANT it to be, but what you truly were created to do, find it in Christ.
I promise you a freedom and joyfulness that nothing else on this earth could ever give you.
If you have any questions at all about what it means to accept Christ or to find what His desires are for you please shoot me an email. I would love to share with you.
k_altmaier@yahoo.com
I LOVE YOU and miss you like CRAZY PATRICK!!!
Kate!
You continue to be one of my favorites in that great city of Denver! I love this response. I can genuinely feel the connection and inner truth you’ve found. Many of us, including myself, get caught up in the every day stresses that ultimately mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of “living.” Finding purpose to our existence, unfortunately has been clouded by the allure of fitting in and being a part of the normal main stream society. I’m sure you noticed the reference to myself in the post on my vision to leave “no stone unturned”, as I pursue an existence and daily life unscathed by, what I call, “the box.” All and all, this is connected not only to travels, business ventures, or life experiences that I seek… But ultimately, it is connected to the inner voice and person within that knows “me” all too well and seeks a lifestyle that will allow for a true clarity of mind. With that, the spiritual journey is without a doubt a part of this bigger picture if not THE bigger picture. I hope that in my continued journey of life, the genuine connection with the Spirit, body, mind and soul will remain a prominent and foremost important aspect of every task, goal and adventure I embark on. A purpose driven life on all accounts is truly what it is all about.
I Love you too Kate!! And I will be back for more 14ers … No doubt about that one!
Great article Patrick!!
Everything is possible.To live your dream,to seek the unknown,to progress.So many paths we have chances to follow and we all should.
Sometimes,life takes us to journeys we did not expect.We have jobs, we really do not enjoy,routines we are tired of,the list goes on.
Everyone should take the time to recapture on what changes they could make to live the life the always wanted to.It’s possible.It takes little risks,will and alot of your passion to get there.
A new journey is waiting for you…..Go live it.Remember,you have only one life and it only belongs to you,make it happen, make it worth it.
Sylvia,
So very true in that anything and everything is possible… The unexpected journey is an ever changing experience and as the old saying goes, “the only constant is change.” … To reevaluate and refocus on what is truly important is so critical. Our lives can so quickly and so easily become cluttered and overcome with “stuff” going on that our passions get pushed to the wayside, succumbed to meaningless day to day activities.
You truly embrace your journey and for that I respect you Sylvia!! Continue to be the guiding inspiration to others as you lead and show by example.
Live and Love,
Patrick
My issue is not believing in myself and my capabilities; I have plenty of confidence. My problem is choosing the path that I should go down. lol
So indecision I suppose is what plagues me. If I could only choose the path I would become extremely successful in it.
Shayrgo,
Oh, I believe that in so many ways you are getting close and near to that path. You’ve taken a road less traveled and only the brave who believe in themselves have gone down your route. Unorthodox and genuinely unique, which in hopes will ultimately create the freedom of time and allow for continued reflection on the next step. To remain outside the box is a fight that should be fought. With the two current projects that I know of, both entail much of what keeps your focus and drive moving. Keeping at that alone will help to bring that clear path as the months and years pass. I believe in you and your projects bro!
Cheers!
Patrick
YOU NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE ME!!! What would you suggest when one feels like her path is being determined by everyone and everything else in her life except her? When she is so concerned with taking care of and making others happy, that she forgets even what it is that might make her happy? What if that really is her role? Because she’s been playing her her whole life? What does she do when her life gets turned upside down by one single piece of information, and she goes numb. What if her way of controlling her path is letting the circumstances control it for her? She misses you, a lot :0)
Oh Nute… I think it’s best to always think on the one fact that this is it. This is it! This is the one and only shot you’ve got at making your life, YOUR life. The sooner you harness the reality that some things simply won’t change and others actually can, then you’ll be in a much better position to bascoot right onto that little Nutini journey that is ready to explode. Unless of course, if the role of taking care of others and putting everyone else’s needs before your own brings you true joy, happiness and life fulfillment… well then keep at it girl! … Otherwise, take that nugget of empowerment and make today be the day when you decide for yourself what tomorrow will bring.
As always, Love ya Nute!
Are you kidding Patrick?
If that’s your office, are you looking to take on any staff.
You’ve asked the question that most 9 to 5ers ask themselves every Monday morning.
Truth is we are educated to go out and find a job and then stay with that job. In fact the more you are educated towards a specific profession, the less chance you have of breaking free.
Trouble is, if I had my life all over again… I’m not sure what I’d change.
Thanks for the food for thought Patrick.
Keith,
How true it is that we’re trained to be a specific role in the 9-5 world. Some of us are wired internally to avoid the expected reality and move towards an unorthodox lifestyle. Corporate America, acquaintances, close friends and even family often times raise the flag of doubt … for the unpredictable, non-secure unknown is off the beaten path. And this, scares even the bravest of us.
I see this journey of life as a challenge to be had and that all things are possible with a little belief in ourselves and a persistent path towards working “the plan.”
As for the office Keith,
… Last week that was indeed my office. It’s not an everyday thing… Yet. But when it is, I’ll let you know if I’m taking on any more employees!
Thanks for your input Keith!
Patrick
that’s a very inspiring post Patrick, you know what, you just described what happens in the mind of the majority of people, they know they are unhappy this way but they question it once in few years, reminding them of the other options was a great task u did.
Thank you for your input Farouk. How true it is that many question this so very infrequently … I think it should be a recurring question to always recap on where we’re at and where we’re going. Keeping true to our life desires and passions to make the best of this one chance we have on this earth.
Patrick