Motivational Article

"People say that what we're all seeking is the meaning of
life... I think that what we're really seeking is the
experience of being alive."  Joseph Campbell

Do you spend a lot of time doing things you don't wish to
do, in places where you don't want to be, for no other
reason than that you feel you have to?

Do you find yourself working only because you have to bring
home a paycheck, satisfy your friends and family, and meet
the expectations society has set up for you?

Are you feeling restless and unfulfilled in what you are
doing?

Do you feel that you are failing to reach your full potential
in the most important areas of your life?

Have you abandoned a dream that a deep part of you still
longs to realize?

Do you find yourself in less than an ideal situation out of
pure habit?

Regardless of your circumstances, you probably desire more.
You might not be able to place a finger on it, but you have
a nagging feeling that you have not accomplished all you
can, and that fulfillment, happiness and satisfaction are
continually slipping out of your grasp.

The sad reality is that many people are trapped in a similar
survival trip and so it appears that the real meaning of life
only concerns struggle.

But here is the newsflash - life is not about merely
surviving - life is about living!

You deserve more than just the bare essentials of existence.
There is much more to life than just measuring up against
expectations created by society based on what others believe
is right for you.

I am talking about finding out what it is that YOU wish for.
About living up to YOUR own standards.
About finding YOUR passion and living YOUR dreams.

The 20th century was all about raising our standard of living.
We certainly have raised it.
The technology and science that were developed over the past
six decades allow us to live much more comfortable and
enriched lives in addition to giving us far more in the way
of leisure time.

But... has this technology really increased the quality of
our lives?
Are we, as human beings happier now than ever before?

The answer is of course very individual, but from my
personal observations I see, an increasing number of people
dissatisfied with what they possess, although it appears that
they have everything that they could want.

It would therefore seem, that the answer to life is not found
through material possessions or what you acquire.
The quality of your life depends on something that lies
within you.

Whether you are aware of it or not, you have an unlimited
power inside just waiting to be expressed.
When you do not use that power you feel this through a sense
of disappointment and unrest.

We were all in contact with our power when we were children.
Have a look at children and see how they are passionate
about everything they do. See how much power and aliveness
they possess.

Reclaiming your power will allow you to live your passion.
When you live your passion you have infinite choices.

Most of the limitations you think you have in your life are
self-imposed.
Still they affect your relationships, your work, your self-
esteem and self-confidence.

Reclaim your power and you can break through all these
limitations and expand the quality of your life tremendously.

How can you reclaim your power?

Good question!

First, realize that life is a game.
Whether you accept it or not is up to you.
But there are some realities bonded in truth whether you
accept them or not and this, simply, is one of these
"eternal truths".

Now, in the game of life you can participate in a few roles:

THE COMMENTATOR
---------------
The Commentator sits outside the game.
He always talks about the game but never really gets involved
in it.

The Commentator describes his opinions, judgments and
criticism about what is happening.

There is no difference between saying, "the game was great"
to "the game was horrible".
In both cases, this is the Commentator's opinion and judgment
of what actually happened.

The Commentator is outside the game - therefore he can NEVER
influence what is happening and therefore he does not really
create results for himself. He is actually powerless.

The Commentator is always focused on the past. First there
must be the event and only then, can he describe it.
Consequently his focus is on the past and not on the present.

The Commentator exists outside the game, as it appears to be
"safe" there.
He believes he cannot make mistakes this way.
So the Commentator is actually focused on his survival.

THE PLAYER
----------
The Player is in the game.
He is the DOER.
He does things; he moves all the time.
He is focused all the time on his results.
Therefore he is always in the NOW.
His main drive is: "What can I DO to improve my results?"
The Player is focused on living.

THE COACH
---------
The Coach is also outside the game.
He is talking about the game, but his focus is on the future.

The Coach's role is to show the players other possibilities.
This way he gives them more opportunities (choices) to play
the game.
This way he raises the ability of the players to confront
life.
The Coach is focused on empowering others.

When we have more choices the quality of our life increases.
When we are limited to only one way, we become victims of
the circumstances.

At the end, the Player is always the one that creates the
results.
It is his choice to do whatever he wants with what the Coach
tells him.
So the players in life are always the ones that create
results.
The Coach is only a tool to improve those results.

When you are willing to improve the quality of your life you
need to choose.
Which one are you willing to be in your own life:
The Commentator, the Player or the Coach?

Take a look at the different areas of your life (personal,
professional, family, social, etc...)

- Which role do you take in each of these areas?
  Are you a Commentator, a Player or a Coach?

- What are the benefits you extract from assuming this role?

- What are the prices you pay for being in this role?

- Ask yourself, is this the way you wish it to be.
  If not, what actions should you take in order to change it?

Write down five actions you are willing to take in the coming
week in order to raise the quality of your life.

Then, go and act upon them...