As usual, I find the most remarkable insights following the trails that others leave for me. When I received the feed from Michael Bungay Stanier of Find Your Great Work regarding Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Nonconformity, I figured it would be an interesting path to follow (Michael rarely steers me wrong).
In Chris’s treatise on World Domination, he told me that
“You don’t have to live your life as other people expect you to.”
I had to pause.
I need to affirm that. I was also reading about the Jungian philosophy that supposes that unconsciously we are living out the expectations of our parents, or grandparents or society. In order for us to truly grow up, we need to start living consciously, make our own decisions based on what our soul is telling us, and let go of others expectations.
Letting go of that straight jacket is a lot like stopping sucking your thumb–you know it will wreck your teeth, but it is so comforting to do. Well, I don’t see too many thumbsuckers at the office. If they can do it so can I. It is time to truly grow up.
I will take courage from the words by W.B. Yeats:
The friends have it I do wrong
Whenever I remake my song
Should you know what issue is at stake
It is myself that I remake.
World domination, anyone?
Tags: Work
Any time I get mentioned in the same general area as Yeats, it’s a good day. Thank you.
You’re welcome. You inspire me.