Post 6 for the Ultimate Blogging Challenge is taken from Blogging For Fun prompt this week - Hopes and Fears.
Hopes
I came across this quote on twitter today:
There are so many interpretations of "follow your bliss". I read many blogs that gave me a diverse perspective of it - some even wrote that following your bliss is not without hardship and pain and others interpreted as living your dream, and yet others, living your life purpose.
There is of course no right or wrong interpretation, but none of these seemed right for me.
To follow your bliss with pain just did not sit with me as the very definition of bliss is "great joy" and joy, in my view, cannot be painful. I also think that it's more than just living your dream. And living your life purpose is just so subjective - what is my life purpose, the reason for my existence, what I have come on earth to do or achieve? And how will I know if I am following my bliss?
A couple of days ago I was walking to the bus stop and had to go back home as I had forgotten something. Although the bus-stop isn't too far from my house, it is downhill and the bus was due in a few minutes. Buses here are usually on time so I had to run like the wind. I am reasonably fit and walking uphill at a sensible pace is achievable but running uphill is another thing altogether. Yet, I ran like the wind. At one point I almost felt like an invisible hand lifted me and flew me home, it was so effortless. That for me is "being in the zone".
And similarly, "following your bliss" for me is when you are "in the zone". When life flows effortlessly, when things come easily and when everything you do and everywhere you go, you feel the joy in your heart. When the work you do brings joy to others and when it doesn't feel like work.
So I hope that I will always follow my bliss, that when those doors open, I recognise them and step through them with joy.
And whichever way you define your bliss, I hope that you will follow it too.
Fears
My first reaction to "fear" was that one should never live in fear as this detracts from following your bliss. But sometimes fear is good - when it protects you from harm. So what detracts from a great life is to live it in constant fear.
And since I prefer to follow my bliss, I will not dwell on fear for long.
Wish you all a blissful day.
Warm Regards
/
Hopes
I came across this quote on twitter today:
Follow your bliss and the Universe will open doors for you where there were only walls~ Joseph Campbell
There are so many interpretations of "follow your bliss". I read many blogs that gave me a diverse perspective of it - some even wrote that following your bliss is not without hardship and pain and others interpreted as living your dream, and yet others, living your life purpose.
There is of course no right or wrong interpretation, but none of these seemed right for me.
To follow your bliss with pain just did not sit with me as the very definition of bliss is "great joy" and joy, in my view, cannot be painful. I also think that it's more than just living your dream. And living your life purpose is just so subjective - what is my life purpose, the reason for my existence, what I have come on earth to do or achieve? And how will I know if I am following my bliss?
A couple of days ago I was walking to the bus stop and had to go back home as I had forgotten something. Although the bus-stop isn't too far from my house, it is downhill and the bus was due in a few minutes. Buses here are usually on time so I had to run like the wind. I am reasonably fit and walking uphill at a sensible pace is achievable but running uphill is another thing altogether. Yet, I ran like the wind. At one point I almost felt like an invisible hand lifted me and flew me home, it was so effortless. That for me is "being in the zone".
And similarly, "following your bliss" for me is when you are "in the zone". When life flows effortlessly, when things come easily and when everything you do and everywhere you go, you feel the joy in your heart. When the work you do brings joy to others and when it doesn't feel like work.
So I hope that I will always follow my bliss, that when those doors open, I recognise them and step through them with joy.
And whichever way you define your bliss, I hope that you will follow it too.
Fears
My first reaction to "fear" was that one should never live in fear as this detracts from following your bliss. But sometimes fear is good - when it protects you from harm. So what detracts from a great life is to live it in constant fear.
And since I prefer to follow my bliss, I will not dwell on fear for long.
Wish you all a blissful day.
Warm Regards
/
Oh the irony! Follow your bliss but live in fear.. Life is like that you know. Some things you just gotta go for and other things, you gotta know when it's not safe to cross that road..
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking Suzy!!
Thanks Crystal. So true, sometimes we just have to do it and sometimes step back and walk away.
DeleteI need to think of what "follow your bliss" means for me--but I really like how you've defined it!!
ReplyDeleteAs for fear--most of my "fears" are those that usually keep me from harm--such as my fear of strong winds. They are usually damaging and my fear drives me to hide in the basement when they kick it up a notch. I've never lived in constant fear--and I wouldn't want to...
Cheers, Jenn.
Thanks Jenn. I'd be fearful of hurricane winds too and earthquakes. each time the ground shakes here it's an oh no moment.
DeleteI liked this a lot. And for several reasons. I like that you compared your feelings with others without judgement. I liked that your bliss is all about an overall feeling of wellbeing and I liked that you threw in the positive benefit of fear.
ReplyDeleteReally well done and a really nice Sunday morning read for me. ♥
Thanks Jo. So glad you liked it. Truly appreciate your comments and support. I can always count on you to read my posts. Thanks so much.
DeleteHi Suzy,
ReplyDeleteWow. I had to do that once to catch a plane. I got on the plane and I was so out of breath I could barely breath. I made it though! A good feeling.
Hi Cirklagirl. Yep it's a great feeling. Never had to do that to catch a plane - that would make me very anxious. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteWonderfully written post Suzy. I loved your interpretation of Follow your bliss. Bliss is the ultimate joy and there is simply no room for pain. A little bit of fear is healthy but it is quite difficult to go on without fear when you are continuously let down. Cheers, Ruby
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruby. In those fearful situations the words "this too shall pass" help me get through them.
DeleteI have never heard the expression follow your bliss, but I like it a lot.
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
Hi Kathy. I like it too.
DeleteI have never heard the expression either. I'm wondering if it is a regional expression or maybe ethnic. Regardless...I think that I have been following my bliss all along... An interesting write. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Darlene. Follow your bliss was coined by American Joseph Campbell. It basically sums up his philosophy of life.
Delete