Unfold Your Wings and Watch Life Take Off

Part 2 - Your Potential

Your Potential Can Make You Feel As If You Are Losing Control

When wandering our lifeline, we are challenged to change from outer goals like amassing material wealth or cultivating status, to inner goals like the reformation of our character. As we make this transition we feel as if we are losing control. The truth is that we are losing control – we are letting go of our old materialistic values and increasingly listening to and following our calling. When we do this our lives become motivated by love.

Previously we may have been motivated by status, money, power, or by cultivating the good opinion of others. The plans we had for our life were a reflection of these values. For example when I trained and worked as an architect, I harboured a secret desire to be rich and famous. I saw architecture as a way of making my mark, gaining attention and earning lots of money. At the time I was not aware I was motivated in my career choice by these values. When I lost these values, I became more sensitive to my calling and being an architect no longer had the same appeal.

When I began to realize that architecture was no longer satisfying, I was uneasy. I felt pulled forward by a hidden inner force into an uncertain future. Rationally it made perfect sense to continue developing my architectural career. I had studied seven years to become qualified. It was secure and the prospects were good. But my heart was no longer in it. The call was guiding me towards being a freelance management consultant because I could bring forth more love in that role. As I let go of my commitment to architecture I felt a very real fear in letting go of the secure profession that I knew well but which no longer fitted my life. In letting go of my architecture career I felt as if I was losing control. Then enthusiasm grew as opportunities to get started in management consultancy appeared. Following my inner guidance was taking me towards a new working life.

As we let go of old outmoded values and are motivated increasingly by love, we become progressively more dependent on our inner guidance for the decisions we make and the direction for our lives. Life becomes simpler. When faced with difficult decisions there is an inner knowing that we can depend on. It may take us to some strange places but we can rely on its wisdom. I have come to trust the inner call implicitly.

Envoi

I listen, heart open.
I hear the call.
My calling is soft and persistent.
Slowly it wears down my stubborn attachment
To all that is not love.
Like water flowing around a boulder in mid-stream.
I am that boulder.

For years I have sat immovable.
I feel the soft water.
Slowly it is washing away my grip.
I feel as if I am losing control.
Then the flood comes and I am washed away.

Now I am flowing with the water.
Now I am living out of love.
Now love has control... and I am free.