A lot of people seem to be unaware of who they really are… they've never stopped to figure it out, just doing what they've learned that other people expect them to do, what they think they "should" do, rather than what is right for them.
If you would prefer to find fulfillment, rather than just trudging through life, you need to break that mold. You need to really figure out who you are, and what you really want to do.
The good news is that it's pretty easy to do, although some people have trouble with the concept the first time or two. So… are you ready for it? Do you want to know how to find fulfillment in your life?
All you need is a little directed daydreaming… you just need to daydream enough to answer this question:
If you had no responsibilities, no pressures, no need to worry about making money, paying bills, doing chores, or taking care of anyone… what would you do?
This isn't asking what would you do with a billion dollars, and answers like "be with my spouse" don't really answer the question… the question is what would you DO, not who would you do it with.
There is no wrong answer… what you want to do may not be popular, or may even be looked down upon by society, but that has nothing to do with whether or not it's right for you.
I'll get this started by answering the question myself: I would travel a bit (Australia and Italy are at the top of my list), go fishing (hence the picture), write fiction, make things out of wood (particularly furniture), and design clothing (See? It doesn't have to be an "accepted" activity.).
Once you figure out what it is that you would do if you were given complete freedom, why not see if you can work some of that into your life now? I can go fishing, make things out of wood (at least small things, I don't have room anywhere for a workshop), and write without doing anything more than spending a little bit of money and dedicating the time to it. If I knew how to find software that would allow me to alter basic patterns, I might get started on the clothing, too (oh, and find someone to make it for me once I have the pattern… I don't sew, other than patches on my uniform when I was in the Army).
I'm really curious… what would you do? Anyone else for some nice relaxing fishing? If you have any inclination to do so, please answer in the comments… I would really like to know.
PS – I read a really good article the other day at The Art Of Manliness that you may like.
June 18, 2011
In order to answer your question I will present it is a ground-hog-day situation:
I would read, and read and read (non-fiction), on the internet, from newspapers and magazines, from books on everything from ancient Rome to the 80′s theory of the cause and treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia (Examples from recent reading). I would read about the past, the present and the future, the immaterial (spirituality, philosophy, theology) and the material (history, medicine, random facts)
I would study, I would attend universities, colleges, schools, speeches and seminars, conventions ect all across the world on subjects that interest me (listed below and more). I would earn (having forever I’d probably be able to figure them out, I think everyone would manage, I don’t believe myself to be particularly intelligent) degrees/diplomas/certificates (and possibly higher such as masters or P.h D’s.) in law, criminology, philosophy, biology (plus shallow study of other fields), theology (both religion specific and the study of faiths in general, I would attempt to understand the basics of every faith with more than 5 million followers), phycology (practical and also study of the brain and emotions), coinciding (youth, crisis, family etc), youth ministry, history (a number of fields), international relations, economics, social studies, English (so I could communicate better and learn more easily), political science and more (as I thought of it), human resource management, event management, publicity, design, marketing, construction (practical and theoretical), engineering, diet and nutrition, etc etc (no maths though). I would also study (listen to speeches and lectures, etc) other things that you cannot earn qualifications in such as spirituality, meditation, leadership, oration etc etc etc.
In order to do this study and learning and also as a end of its own I would learn all the common languages.
I would also acquire skills, singing, some instruments (guitar, drums), sailing, possibly slow dancing, fast reading, basic building and construction skills, handy work (working with engines, boats, DIY and fixing things) mechanics in general, crisis skills of all kinds, random skills like driving, shooting, archery, cooking, and more.
I’d also get as healthy as possible, spend hours in meditation and prayer.
Thats about everything I can think of right now. In summary I would learn.