JUST DO IT…..These words have becomesynonymous with greatness, world records and the conquering spirit of the human soul. A simple phrase that when put to the test can overwhelm even the most brazen amongst us.
Imagine if we all took a moment and just did what we’ve always longed to do. Be it writing a cookbook, changing careers or just anything. Overwhelming right? Yep, I know. How many of us yearn to do things that we were told we couldn’t do, that were deemed uncool by our peers or that ourparents deemed as ‘unprofessional’? How many of us still dream to do those things but have not spoken about it our closest friends because of fear of them laughing in our faces or worse being told you will fail?
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As an eight year old I remember wanting to be a nun but was sternly told that Nuns don’t earn a salary. I then wanted to act but was told that acting was not really a career. I’ve yearned to tap into my creative side but as I got older was either distracted or discouraged but mostly I’ve been afraid of failing.
Sometimes life happens and we are diverted from our dreams….we find ourselves settling for that qualification or career that will get us a job quickly rather than what your heart desires. We get caught up and before we know it we are forty, with two kids in a career we don’t like and a mortgage to pay. Looking at myself today I could easily be that person in a few years’ time. I have what can be deemed as a good job with all the perks that come with it. I find myself in the economic hub of the country where all dreams are considered possible. I have positioned myself in a way that will make me employable and even if I say so myself, I’m good at what I do. Why then do I find myself yearning for something else?
I yearn because I feel that there is so much of me still to offer to the world. I yearn because I know that I have a gift or a talent and have not found it because I’ve been utilising my energies elsewhere. I yearn because I’m not impacting those around me the way that I would like to, I yearn because if I don’t live out my full potential, It would be a dis service to the maker of all things. I know I’m not the only one who’s had this dilemma but what does one do? You can’t exactly quit your job and start painting? If you’re good yes, but hey, who’s going to pay your bills?
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How
I’ve learned that in order to be fulfilled we need to attempt to do something purely because our soulsrequire that from us. Now you can start by thinking about it and narrowing it down. Look around, it’s probably right in front of you. If you dream of being a baker how come your colleagues haven’t tasted your cupcakes? If you sew clothes, how come your friends have not seen your creations? If you write,how come there’s no article of yours in the local paper? The point I’m getting at is that yes we should Just do It but doing it means starting and taking that first baby-step towards your goal.
Let us stop being paralysed by thoughts of how inadequate we are, of how old we are to change careers, of how difficult it will be to squeeze something else in your already hectic lifestyle. ….and (the most crippling of all) thoughts of what people will say if we fail. I suffer from that one too. I’m working on it but it is there constantly and stopping me taking my baby step forward.
Today I say let’s be moved by something bigger than ourselves. Be selfish enough to put yourself first and do what YOU desire. It may not even be a career change. It may be taking those dance classesyou’ve always wanted to take, starting that degree or quitting a bad habit. Let the thoughts of failingnot cripple you but propel you to try.
Let’s challenge ourselves to Just do it…I certainly am.
By Pearl Bhungane