"DREAMS AND POTENTIAL ARE LIKE SEEDS. They can lie dormant for a long time and it's never too late to plant them" Ruth Saw, International Bestselling Author
People often ask me, "How do I find clarity?" I often reply with a simple answer, that could have left them disappointed, "Listen to your heart." Some of them walk away downcast, for they were looking for a formula.
There's no one formula that fits all, for we are all uniquely wired. The HOW to success depends on WHO you are. As a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, I would advise them to do a StrengthsFinder Assessment. It's not a magical, fortune telling questionnaire. It simply gives language to describe how each individual is innately designed, and shed insights on what their strengths are. I can guide them how they can fulfil their dreams just the way they are, using their strengths. But the assessment itself does not tell them what they should be doing in life. I am no wizard who can read their hearts.
The good news is that our dreams and potential will always be there - tucked in our hearts. It can be dormant because of our life choices but it'll always be hidden in our hearts like seeds. It's never too late to plant them!! Plant and water them and watch them sprout to life.
So often, anxiety happens when we think too much with our minds. I suffer that firsthand before. I realised the way out is not to worry but to take time to listen to our hearts. I personally believe we are uniquely created on earth for a reason, so if we were to pause and reflect with questions such as: what has been the dreams in our hearts since young or what has people said about our potential; that could give pointers on who we are created to be. The StrengthsFinder assessment also helps to give us insights to what our potential could be too.
So how can you listen to your heart more effectively?
Some are in tuned with their hearts easily. You see young achievers who know exactly what they want and they go for it. Others, like me, take a longer time. I've lived my life with my mind, caring what other people say, making choices to please others to the point of not knowing what I want.
Don't get me wrong. I was functioning fine. I graduated from my MBA with Deans Medal; I started a procurement consultancy and by God's grace, had long term clients. But when I turned 40, I could not see myself doing this for the rest of my life. Deep in my heart, I was not satisfied. I knew what I didn't want, but back then I didn't know what I wanted in life. Have you felt this way before?
I was living a "normal" life, having a job and looking forward to weekends. But I don't think I was designed just for that. There must be more. Now I know I was designed for more creativity in my life. Creativity that is often overlooked as it doesn't bring in "money". It took me 2 years to realise that!
At age 40, I made a decision that changed my life forever. I decided that if I can afford it, if it is not against my faith, I would pursue my heart's desires, outside of my working life.
If you are like me back then, knowing what you didn't want but not sure of what you want, then I encourage you to start tuning to your heart by doing something simple. Start waking your heart by taking up a hobby, something you wanted to do for a long time. It can be totally unrelated to your career. Just start feeding your heart's desires.
The book of wisdom, Proverbs 13:12 says:
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
I tend to think my heart had been quite sick with so many hopes deferred!! I started dancing at Sydney Dance Company. I started taking up singing classes, I finally started driving even though I carried my license for years!! I started going for courses, from speaking, to prophetic training to investing. I also started cooking! (I still cannot cook sadly). I also went to Israel, which I've always dreamed about, at age 40. Slowly but surely, I felt awakened. I felt I could make decisions a lot more quickly, simply because I was more in tune with my heart. I felt as if my heart finally awoke from coma!
There had been many studies on depression and anxieties that ties the root cause to not meeting one's needs. I believe these needs, at the core of it, is fulfilling our hearts' desires. So I personally believe as we start fulfilling our longings, it brings life. Life to your heart. Life to your soul. By feeding our hearts, it grants us clarity to see. We get to see the world not with our worries, but rather with hope, of what could be, if we simply take a step forward. We begin to dream again.
So beloved, if you feel the future ahead is fuzzy and you feel bogged down with worries, sometimes with things seemingly practical like job security, can I ask you to simply feed your heart first? It may be unrelated, but imagine the joy, the clarity it brings with a longing fulfilled. Would it not allow you to perform better in your work too? Let your hobby bring a smile to your face and to your workplace.
Do not make rash decisions at this point. Give your heart time to be fully awakened. For me, it took me 2 years to truly discover what I loved and to transit. Please note this, dreams and potential are like seeds, but when you start watering them, they will sprout into seedlings. This is a delicate season. The seedlings can be easily crushed and destroyed.
A seed is hardy, but a seedling is not. Take time to protect it, to stand your ground to keep watering it no matter what others may say.
As I pursued my hobbies, I unlocked the creativity that had always been in me. The dreams I had since young slowly to begin to surface. That was when I knew I wanted to write. I recall telling people I wanted to write. Even well-meaning friends will look at me with disbelief. It was so easy to give up then, especially when the discouragement comes from loved ones. It can really hurt. I had to be mindful to surround myself with people who will support me in my dreams and to stay away from others who may pull my little seedling down. Fortunately, as a believer, I also know my Creator will back me up as I step into my original design.
As I pursued my dreams, despite the difficulties, by the grace of God, doors just flung open. My first book, Clarity is Power, became an international bestseller on launch day. This is a miracle as I once failed English in high school!! Since then, I've written 3 bestselling books and have my first 2 books in major bookstores. I have never felt so alive and so on point with my purpose in life. I must say, the journey is not at all easy. It still requires me to stretch myself to step into it.
I only stepped into it past age 40. I had this dream to write in my teens. So, it's never too late!
I do not know what dreams you have, or maybe your dreams have yet to surface, can I encourage you, it's never too late. Take a first step and feed your heart, do something you've always wanted to do or learn and see how your path unfolds.
If you want more insights on my journey, and on how to find your personal clarity, you can get my first book CLARITY IS POWER. If you are a female, fellow believer and a lover of Jesus, I encourage you get my second and third book, CLARITY TO CREATE and ARISE.
ARISE is currently still at launch special until 17th April 2021. I know this book will bless you. It reminds us all to ARISE to royalty, like Queen Esther, to change our posture and reach for our dreams. I know the section on the significance of the 10 sons of Haman will also give you insights for God to work in your heart and kill the little demons so that your heart will be whole for you to fully ARISE. Click here to see launch special.
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