“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~Muriel Strode, writer
A client of mine told me recently that she and her daughter went to see the new movie about Katy Perry and to her surprise, found it very inspiring. I asked her what made it inspiring and she went on to tell me how when Katy Perry was “found,” many folks in the industry were trying to make her into a duplicate of one of the other already popular stars, such as Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne. Katy insisted on not being a “second of somebody else” but a “first” Katy Perry. As we all know, Katy Perry is a very good Katy Perry! She was not afraid to be unique and most importantly, not afraid to be herself.
We all find ourselves throughout our lives in situations where we have to make a very important choice and the first thing we usually do is to seek the advice and counsel of others whom we trust. We ask everyone what they think, how they feel and what they would do, often ignoring our own internal compass. As we are growing up, other people’s opinions very much form how we see ourselves. It is just human nature. One day we finally realize that the view we have of ourselves and sometimes the entire life we are living was formed completely based on what other people thought we should do and we are nowhere to be found.
Doing what we feel is right free of outside influences is not as easy as it sounds. We often get caught up in wanting to know ahead of time if the decision is the right one. Somehow we think if others say it is so, then it must be true, not trusting our own feelings. I like to call this an easy out because then if what we are pursuing doesn’t work out, guess what, it wasn’t our fault. It was their fault because they were the ones who told us to do it in the first place, right? The hardest thing about making choices is the big “R” word…Responsibility. Once we make a choice, we must take responsibility for that choice.
Some rules of thumb for “good” choice-making:
Keep moving forward and lead your own parade. Before you know it, others may be following YOU!
“As long as one keeps searching, the answers come.”
~Joan Baez, singer, songwriter and peace activist
Being my true self in the Scottsdale Starbucks,
Chris
For more information on Chris Sopa International, Inc. go to www.ChrisSopa.com.
To sign up for Chris’ Blog go to www.ChrisSopa.Wordpress.com.