What is ONE Thing You Learned This Year?
“My father could have been a great comedian but he didn’t believe that that was possible for him, and so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an accountant and when I was 12 years old he was let go from that safe job, and our family had to do whatever we could to survive. I learned many great lessons from my father. Not the least of which was that: You can fail at what you don’t want. So you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” -Jim Carrey
I was in a meeting earlier this month & everyone was asked: What is one thing you learned this year? They asked a lot of hard questions like that… What’s a trait in yourself that you would not want to give someone else?
But, one thing I learned this year… Oddly enough, I feel like I’ve had a pretty comfortable year. The years before 2017 were chaotic & I’d probably respond to this question with answers like: patience, confidence, staying positive, ect. Moving to Dubai, adjusting there, working there, then moving back, my relationship with Wafiq, his immigration process, being broke, moving everywhere again, needing a job – every year contained variables. And in the moment, I often felt frustrated – like I was wasting time. I couldn’t wait to be “normal”. Get my life on track like everyone else.
Then, this year I finally had it! Normal & comfortable. At the very least, it was appearing to be on track.
But, throughout the year, and I think I’ve said this before on my blog, I found myself missing the variables & chaos. Even being broke!
For example, when you have no money, other parts of your life strengthen. Your creativity, your imagination, your hustle, your ideas, your friendships.
For example, when you have big life decisions ahead of you, the opportunity to impress yourself by being brave & making choices presents itself.
For example, when you’re not “on track”, you don’t have pressure or expectations. People are either disappointed & judgemental OR they’re believing in your journey & supportive. Relationships are defined.
There’s so much learning happening in the stages that you can’t wait to get through!
I think I’ve always done a good job at being present & knowing nothing lasts forever so I needed to hold on to each phase, but this year really proved it for me. In the years of working so hard to figure things out, those are the special ones. So even if it’s hard or frustrating, they’re the real years and times that are defining YOU!
I watched Jim & Andy on Netflix and there’s a line where Jim explains having no ambition. The interviewer asked, “what’s next”. The documentary just finished explaining his string of successful movies, the $10M check he wrote himself, his home, achievements – basically everything he always manifested coming to fruition. And he didn’t want anything else, movies, money, attention – he lacked all ambition. Because he finally got what he always thought he wanted. What’s left to do?
This is the secret to a happy life people! I think I know it! The hustling times, when you don’t have what you think you want, are THE. TIMES. When you’re tired, trying to figure things out, getting organized, trying to be normal << those are the times you’re ALIVE, and LIVING LIFE!
SO BE PRESENT.
When I was asked what I learned this past year, I said “to appreciate each phase”. Right now, where I’m comfortable & normal – I need to appreciate it. So when it gets rollar coastery again, I can appreciate that phase too.
That’s it. That’s what I got for you today, from my brain to yours!
What is ONE thing you learned in 2017? To appreciate each phase of your life, in the moment.
You?!
Have a great week & be thoughtful!
Xx