Recently a friend of mine, a successful producer, decided to cut ties from Hollywood and go to Europe to live on an organic farm in the French Alps. He was going to live in a rustic cabin with no electricity or running water with his wife for a while. It was something they always wanted to do and now they were finally doing it.
He called me a few days before his departure and said “It’s interesting. Some people weren’t happy for me. I was surprised.”
My mind drifted to the time when I told everyone I knew I was leaving Wall Street to travel around the world. It was a risk, I could have used some extra validation. Later, I was shocked to discover that there were people who were turned off by the idea of me pursuing my life long dream.
I said to my friend, “Yes, that happens. It has nothing to do with you. I hope you know that.” He responded, “Yea, I know, it’s a reflection of where people are in their life.”
It’s unfortunate, but nothing triggers people more than taking a leap of faith and doing what you really want. It’s not all Shantishanti peace, happy. You’ll quickly see who your true friends are, who are willing to let you go and venture forth. It can be disheartening to learn that there are people close to you aren’t happy for you when you decide to do what you love. Don’t take it personally. Going true north can be threatening because it invalidates their own reality, making them wonder “what am I doing with my life?”
Living your dream can at times be lonely.
As you change, so will your friends. While it can be painful to release relationships that no longer serve you, doing so will open the space for you to explore and meet new friends waiting along the way.
But whatever you do, don’t shine your true light any less because the people around you can’t handle the hugeness of who you are. Be aware when you are unconsciously depressing your true light to make the people around you comfortable.
Don’t dim yourself down. It serves no one for you to play small or be small.
LIVE LARGE, LET GO & GROW LIKE A WILD FLOWER.
