“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life less than one you are capable of.” ~ Nelson Mandela
As young children we look at world from a perspective we seem to lose as we grow older. We have big dreams about what’s possible. As we grow older there are times when our early ambition gets side tracked and we go off course. I know as a child my dream was to be a singer or an actress. I’d watch the old balack and white films with my Nan and Grampy and I imagined being a star! Through the years that dream changed, I realised that since I didn’t live in Hollywood or wasn’t likely to go there, it wasn’t possible. My dream changed to be the best at what I was good at! What that was I had no idea!
Like so many people everyday life combined with a lack of confidence meant that life drifted. I had jobs of every kind, I became a mother, I moved around, I was just went through the motions and settling. No matter what I did two things started to become apparent. I was good at thinking outside the box and helping people and I could help others learn. How could these two skills possibly lead anywhere?
Sixteen years ago my life changed completely, I was forced to start over and I dreaded it! I’ve now come to see it for the blessing it was. I didn’t have a clue where I was going but I did realise it was important was to get back on the path and decide which direction my life should take. The fisrt thing I did was to reflect on my life taking note of the things I was good at, my experiences because “…. you have to look back in order to understand the things that lie ahead” ~ Yvonne Woon.
As I look back, I realise that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better and now I realise that was Heals (Help, Empowerment And Local Support). For the first time in my life I’m combining all the things I love and at the same time I’m helping to make changes for others too. I’ve realised that I’ve become successful in helping others change their lives and this has enriched my own life.
Colin Powell says “there are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” This is true, if you want to be successful you have to prepare, work hard and learn but most importantly, everything you do must be with passion. Sidney Greenburg says it perfectly “A successful man is one who lays a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him” and for me this has meant using my own life experiences (negative and positive) to help others.
My work at Heals is something I love, seeing the difference our work makes. Albert Schweitzer says “success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you’ll be a success.” If what Albert says is right then I am successful!
So when you come to a point in your life and you feel that you’ve lost your direction, look back and reflect, learn from the past, then plan for your future because “there is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life less than one you are capable of” and live the life you deserve!
alisoncrossjones 