I Create My Own Life

Too many times we have a tendency to blame everyone for the path our life may have taken; however, realistically, most of your life is from choices you have made.  Now, I know what you are thinking.  "But, Amy, it wasn't my fault that so-and-so ran a red light and hit my car which caused me to miss work, etc. etc."  I understand that some things are out of your control, but there are more things that are within your control.  You can choose to be happy every day, or you can choose to be miserable.  

Maybe you don't like your current job, but you have to pay your bills.  Have you considered other creative outlets to carve out a life for yourself?  Do you like to sing?  Do you paint?  Maybe you enjoy racing cars on the weekend or watching wrestling.  It doesn't matter what it is as long as it brings you joy and makes you feel alive.  

Too often we define our existence through our work.  When you meet someone for the first time, what is one of the first things they ask?  "What do you do for a living?"  Our response is "I work for BlahBlah Store" or "I am a sales person for BlahBlah."  Why is the word "living" so entwined with our "job"?  When did we become our job?  I know I am guilty of defining myself by my work.  My response when asked is "I am a librarian."  Is that who I am?  No. It is how I earn a paycheck.  

What I am is a person who loves books and to share books with others.  I am a person who loves nature and animals and is passionate about caring for both.  I am a creator of worlds and characters through my stories that I love to share with others.  I am an artist who creates wearable art with yarn.  How cool is that? I could say I spin, weave and crochet but that description is kind of boring and bland.  I am an artist and a creator.  I am a bringer of joy to others when I create or write something for them.  I am a caregiver of critters.  I hope I bring them joy as well.  (I know those chickens I brought in from the freezing cold and living in a kennel in my basement right now are pretty joyous!)  How much more exciting are those words than my old response of "librarian"?  

I am still trying to figure it all out and create my own life.  I may not always get it right, but I sure am having fun trying.  I hate to use a cliche, but it really is a journey and not a destination.  

CREATE YOUR OWN LIFE!

And because I am a book pusher, here are a few titles to get you started:

Be a Free Range Human: Escape the 9-5, Create a Life You Love and Still Pay the Bills - Marianne Cantwell

Refuse to Choose!: A Revolutionary Program for Doing Everything That You Love - Barbara Sher

Choose Yourself! - James Altucher