Tags
200 words, Destiny, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, Jean de La Fontaine, That thing you're meant to do
A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it. ~ Jean de La Fontaine
If you’re like me, there is that one in-your-face aspiration that keeps coming back to nag at you.
You know what I’m talking about?
It’s that thing that makes you clench your jaw until your teeth hurt.
It’s nerve wrecking!
Sweat pours from your temples and you can feel, and sometimes even hear, the blood rushing through your veins.
You’re just too unsure about going there.
And maybe, like me, you think, “Why don’t I just do it? Why am I caught in this continuous loop?”
Like me, you may feel the urge to ignore it and walk away from it.
That never helps though, does it?
It always seems to find you again.
I think when this happens we’re supposed to learn something. And until we learn that something, it comes back to remind us over and over and over again.
When we finally learn that something, the nagging magically goes away.
Right?
Or maybe, finally, we’re simply just doing what we’ve always been meant to do…
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
What’s nagging you?
talktodiana 
You know…having to learn to blogging nagged me. I’m not kiddin’ you….I procrastinated for 2 yrs. or more. Then thereafter I knew I was meant to blog since it combines writing, art interest and photography: some of my loves.
May you unlock your hesitation and go forth.
(By the way, I think the flood is unsettling some organizations. Could use some team building, etc. 😀 and realigning divisions in large corporations.)
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So glad you DO blog! I’m am looking forward to being involved with an organization or community iniative soon – we’ll see what happens. 🙂
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Did you read my mind??
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Reading minds – a gift I used to think would be awesome to have, but yeah, I don’t think I would want it now!
Glad you could relate!
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Pingback: 5 Doable First Steps To Start Living Your Purpose (And Never Look Back) | love. play. enjoy.
Thanks for linking back to my post – I’m honoured!
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I sat and read with my head going up and down like a it was on a stick or something…………………………that is how much I agree with this post
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Thanks Joanne! Your comment reminds me of those bobble heads in the back windows of cars! 😉
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Great post. I actually think most people don’t have that burning to do a particular thing. It’s those of us who do, however, that are cursed. I’ve so many times heard someone tell me they accomplished my dream without even trying. I wonder if effort really does always pay off in the end.
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If it’s important I have no doubt it pays off. 🙂
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I can so relate to this! 😉
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(smiling) It’s a human thing.
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Love this thought. For me your comment ” When we finally learn that something, the nagging magically goes away.” feels more like ” When we finally learn that something, the peace of being true to ourselves magically appears “.
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Yes I like that re-write very much!
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I think both apply. That nagging feeling can weigh you down. Its disappearance gets you off the floor. Without having to look only at the ground, now you can hold your head up high, and that is the point that you see peace ahead.
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A good and valid point as well Elizabeth – thanks for chiming in! It does feel good to lose the dead weight after having carried a load around for a time.
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I cannot imagine you carrying a dead weight. You always seem so bright and cheery and positive to me 🙂
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Ohhhh you’d be surprised!
xo
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Oh well, we are soul-mates then 🙂
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There are a lot of commonalities for sure! I think you’re a better planner/implementer than me though.
xo
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Well, I’m not sure I believe in the idea or fate or destiny of that we’re “meant” to do certain things in life. I simply don’t believe the universe has that kind of purpose behind it. I wonder about the parable of the seeds, and I wonder if life might indeed be like that. Many seeds are sown. Some fall in fertile soil and sprout and grow. Others fall in rocky areas, weedy areas, or other places they have no chance. Life proceeds, even if individual seeds do not.
I do believe we have personal goals and a drive to reach for fulfillment. If you’re familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy, it’s a pretty good model (or at least a damned good metaphor). Per Maslow, when the chips are down, we’re reduced to basic needs (food, shelter, not dying), but as we climb the hierarchy as our basic needs are met, we arrive at the pinnacle of being human: self-actualization and meaning.
Whether that general higher purpose and meaning come from without or strictly within, it’s still the height of humanity.
Wait,… what was the question again? 😀
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LOL what’s nagging you?
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I read it a few times and wonder if we aren’t saying mostly the same thing with different words and perspectives… 😉
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Oh, okay… I’d have to say: .Nothing!
Retirement brings a phase in life where I can do what I’ve always wanted to do: Putter around with whatever strikes my fancy (and plenty does, so there’s a long list). I’ve been extraordinarily lucky in that my interests and skills have allowed my work to be a lot like that (but Corporate America still has its twisted inhuman awfulness). Now the awful is gone; it’s permanent springtime.
It’s really hard to stop chuckling to myself all the time, let alone be nagged about something…
There are choices in the past I wish I’d made differently, and if magic wands existed (and I had one) there are things in life (big and small) I’d change, but I basically feel … I dunno, on balance maybe I’ve left the wood pile a little higher than I found it. Or tried to? Maybe just knowing the wood pile is there and you need to at least replace what you took is enough.
Put it this way: if I died right now,… I wouldn’t feel like I’d missed anything major. (Not anything I can do much about, anyway, much as I’d love getting into outer space.)
(Full disclosure: my mood might be affected by all the beers I’ve consumed watching the Twins play… considerable backspacing was required during the typing of this comment! :lol:)
((Whoo Hoo! Commenting here is good luck! While writing this, the Twins hit a three-run homer and a two-run homer giving them the lead, 5-0! I think this calls for,… you guessed it,… more beer!!))
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(Smiling) Go Twins Go!
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They went on to win the game, 5-2!
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Happy to hear it – for your sake. 😉
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Oh, P.S., Yeah, I think we’re on the same page there. I kinda get off the bus a little when the talk is about what people are meant to do. There’s two things about that really. I think it’s more the journey than the destination; it’s what you do and how you are along the way that matters (“Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.”). And I think we all have myriad possible futures… a lovely way I once heard it is (and I’m paraphrasing), “Life is the process of eliminating all your possible future selves until you’re then one that remains.”
As I think I mentioned here previously, you don’t really run out of possible future selves until you’re actually dead! 😀
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I agree about the journey vs. the destination thing! And here’s evidence!
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Yep! Goals are good, but life is what happens on the way to your goals. It’s good to enjoy and recognize the journey!
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agreed!
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P.P.S. These comments are not intended to convey the consumption of beer while watching baseball on a Sunday afternoon in a positive light (although we all know the reality). Parents should advise small children to leave the room. Beers are not toys! Professional drinking using professional drinking gear; do not try this at home. By reading this comment you accept these terms. The authors accept no responsibility for much of anything. Shrinkage may occur during washing. Post no bills.
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LOL Smitty – have you passed out yet?!
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Sorta figured I’d end up snoozing on the couch, but I watched the game finish and then puttered around on the computer for a while and then watched a couple movies.
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I suppose it is all about listening to your inner-quiet voice.
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preferably as soon as possible, before it has to become loud and hysterical! 😉
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Why did you have to make me think? On the other hand, thank you Diana!
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You’re very welcome Julie! ❤
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I can so relate to this Diana. What you’ve described here is true calling. I’ve realized, running from it and filling the void will never work. We often live a shadow life to avoid our true calling, but we’re just kidding ourselves. All we have to do is to be ok with fear, follow the unknown, be open to the possibility of failure, give our selves permission to take our calling seriously and commit. Everything else will work out… I hope at least it will. I know yours will D. 🙂
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Yes, I think you’re absolutely right! When I was younger that kind of fear was scary, yes, but also exciting and seemed a clear sign that I should be heading in that direction. Do you know that feeling too Kristi?
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That’s exactly how I feel every single day! 🙂 Does it ever go away?
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For me? Only when I’m doing something other than what I’m callled to do…
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I think I answered that in my blog post today–we seem to be on the same page today
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How is it I haven’t been following you before??? Just went to have a look. Love your blog look and content! Well I have corrected this issue and am now following!
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I am glad you found me–have been enjoying you for a while now!
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And now I’ll get to enjoy you – looking forward to your posts! ❤
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🙂
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