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Blog: About death and dying and life and living...
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Blog: How many lives are you not living?

16/4/2013

15 Comments

 
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How many lives are you not living? And is that okay with you today?

This blog post may surprise you with the direction I'm going to take with it. 

I'm not going to tell you that you must be feeling unsatisfied or unfulfilled by what you're not doing and could, that's not what this post is about. 

Today I want to share with you that it's okay to just focus on one thing you're good at and love to do. It's okay to not be everything that you are capable of being. There is only so much of you to go around and I don't see the point of using up so much of your life trying to live too many lives contained in this one life.

'What is she on about now?' you're thinking...and I know! I know! I'm an inspirator, right? I'm meant to be inspiring you to live your life to the fullest and most passionate before you die. But that doesn't mean you must do all that you are capable of in one lifetime. 

I'll tell you this because I am feeling this way right now. I have too many passions, interests, talents, skills, qualities and ideas to possibly fulfill in this one lifetime. I am an idealist and I can see the big picture in so many things, and sometimes I am overwhelmed by the possibilities of the many different directions my life could go in. 

I want to point out that this isn't where I showcase how good I am at things...most people don't like braggers, regardless of talent. The important message is that just because you're good at something doesn't mean you have to make a career out of it. We all have the potential to be anything we set our minds to do, it just takes practice and sometimes talent can help on the journey. 

A long time ago I could see that if I chose to I could be an visual artist, a singer, a make-up artist, a writer, a photographer, an actor, an entrepreneur, and a manager. Yikes! All this for just one lifetime, my lifetime? Maybe, but I also don't like doing things by half-measure. If I'm going to do something I'd prefer to go all the way or not at all - Scorpio traits anyone? But this early revelation was paralysing,  and for a long time it stopped me from venturing fully into any area totally or at all. As the years roll on, I've mostly accepted that it's okay to be really good at something and to just let it sit there underused. It can be exhausting to feel the potential and not fulfill it the way I want...

But this isn't a blog post about being less than, mediocre or living a half-life...

I do think it's important to love what you do and do what you love and to strive for all that you can do, but if there are too many 'loves' it's okay to let some of them sit dormant, possibly for your entire life. I also want to reiterate that I don't prescribe to live life in any particular way...just a way that will leave you fulfilled when it's over. 

Albert's going to finish off today's blog...short and sweet!

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“Try not to become a (wo)man of success. 
Rather, become a (wo)man of value.” 
~ Albert Einstein
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For another day, I am passionately yours,
Ava
15 Comments
Deb link
16/4/2013 08:40:38 am

Fellow Scorpio and multi-passionista, I completely agree that sometimes being too talented (I say that with humbleness) and curious for my own good is in the end debilitating if you cannot make a choice and land. I have sometimes thought that maybe this is what it feels like to be crazy with the onslaught of ideas and possibilities that spring forth and being paralyzed by indecisiveness. I can remember marveling in awe at colleagues who were simply content to stay their whole life in the same company, even in the same job. It can be debilitating if you cannot accept that you just cannot do everything and be an expert in si many different fields.

Thanks for a great post and interesting point of view.

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Ava
16/4/2013 10:43:42 am

Hah! Multi-passionista! Brilliant! I have used the word 'passionista' before and now it's multi-faceted! I completely relate to your words. I know that I haven't so far and won't ever be one of those people who stay with one company over many years. It may suit them, but it's not for me, and each to their own, right?

Thanks for your comment Deb!

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Paris Franz link
16/4/2013 09:13:36 am

There comes a time when you have to realise there are only so many hours in the day, and that you have to make a choice about what avenue to follow. But which avenue? That's something I'm still trying to figure out!

Reply
Ava
16/4/2013 10:46:02 am

Perhaps it will take the rest of your life...or just relaxing into acceptance of the many possibilities at your disposal...without direction, without closure, without an answer. I have no idea...this is just more of my musings...a never-ending train of brain thoughts!

Thanks for your sharing Paris!

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Sharno link
16/4/2013 09:29:33 am

Yep, I relate to the Scorpio reference and the multiple passions. One thing I realized a long time ago was that in most people is a well-spring of creativity. Now that can flow in several different channels and that's where most creative people get it wrong - trying to be everything at once.

I sing, I love to dance, paint, write, organize and do lots of other stuff...I'm passionate about so many things. BUT, there is that one thing that if I'm not doing, I feel half-dead and that's writing. I love to sing and all those who know me know that about me, but I sing when I'm happy. With writing it's totally different...happy, sad, elated, depressed...whatever mood, I just have to write.

And that's the me I have to be. The others are just ways the creative me seeks expression. I choose to focus on the writer me. It doesn't mean I won't sing or dance, it just means I won't be pursuing careers in those areas.

I don't know if I made any sense and I'm sorry for taking over your page. I just had to share.

Reply
Ava
16/4/2013 09:54:22 am

Ah Sharno I do relate to what you've written and I'm glad I'm not alone! For me, the big me, it's sharing stories or having deep and meaningful conversation...preferably conversations about death, dying, life and living passionately but really it can be anything so long as it's not drivel!

Thanks for your sharing!

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Francene Stanley link
16/4/2013 09:42:49 am

You're so right about doing the one thing you love--and doing it well. I've reached the retirement years after a long life of excelling at so many things. Each has given me the experience to be able to write novels. Which I do now to the exclusion of all else.

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Ava
16/4/2013 09:58:25 am

Thanks Francene! When I get there...beyond the many to just the one, I hope I can let go without regret...that's the goal. I'm sure it will happen naturally, just as I have now reached the age where having any more children has passed. I am 43 and I have one 11 year old son. He's perfect for me without needing or wanting more and letting go of having more kids has passed by with no glance backward.

Thanks for your comment!

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Carolina HeartStrings link
16/4/2013 11:04:45 am

Fellow Scorpio here. Sounded like I was reading about myself on much of this. I've decided to be passionate about being passionate. It may not narrow things down much but I like my lust for life and think I'll block out that which brings me down.

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Ava
16/4/2013 04:45:40 pm

Ah...passionate about being passionate...YES!

Thanks for your comment Carolina!

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Emily link
16/4/2013 04:30:50 pm

I'm not a Scorpio, but I enjoy doing lots of things and have many talents. Occasionally, I feel a bit overwhelmed when I take on a bit more than I can chew, but in general, I find that the diversity of my interests and staying focused on a few main goals, while still exploring newness tend to be what help keep me inspired.

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Wendy Bottrell link
16/4/2013 04:33:39 pm

Recently I have realized that I must choose 1 passion and get really good at it rather than spreading myself thin and being mediocre in a number of things. It is proving way less stressful and in fact more fun! Enjoyed the post! Thanks, Wendy UBC

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Debbie link
16/4/2013 05:03:58 pm

There are only so many hours in a day. You need to do the loves that fit into your family life. Thanks nice post.

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Linda - Delightfully Amiss link
16/4/2013 05:06:17 pm

Don't follow astrology, but I have a birthday in what they call Scorpio.

Funny, I can relate to a lot of the multi-tasking stuff! ;-)

Love the parting quote from Einstein. No more what-if's!

Visiting from the Ultimate Blog Challenge. We're on the home-stretch for April!

Reply
Jules
18/4/2013 05:49:36 am

I often enjoy the blog content but find this one to be on the egomaniacal side, with the blog author and those who comment all claiming to be multi talented people!

To the author, this is not meant as criticism but rather as feedback. I think it would benefit you to learn how to use the apostrophe properly- now there's a skill to be worked at! I have noticed on many of ypur blogs that you fail to use the apostrophe properly.

Reply



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