“Obligation” is one of those words that, when thrown our way, makes us want to cringe and scamper off in the opposite direction.
Being obligated to anything makes you feel like you had no choice … you just had to, whether or not you really wanted to. Which is why this week’s #ClarityGem is a little surprising …
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THIS WEEK, WE WANT YOU TO KNOW:
APPLY IT TO YOUR OWN LIFE:
It’s mind-blowing how many things we’ve bound ourselves to — things that we’ve taken on as reluctant duties in life. Our email inbox, our commute, the job that leaves us feeling empty, teams we can’t connect with, unrelenting schedules with no days off. Sure we don’t really like any of it … but that’s part of being an adult. We have no choice. We’ve got to suck it up, and just do it. It’s responsible.
No. A million times NO.
The only thing that you must do, that you truly have no choice about in life … is the requirement to discover your purpose and then live it.
Your inbox, commute, boring job, lackluster environment, and busy schedule are not why you’re here. And if these are the things you’ve obligated yourself to, at the expense of discovering your passion and purpose in life, then you have missed the point of life itself.
In fact, we’ll be bold enough to say that it’s not only your duty to discover your purpose, but it’s actually irresponsible to know how much you desire it … and do nothing.
To realize one’s destiny is a person’s ONLY obligation – The Alchemist, by @paulocoelho #ClarityGems
Are you going to have to re-think your obligations? If you’re brave enough to admit to it (and you are!), come tell us.
WHAT #CLARITYGEMS ARE ALL ABOUT:
Sometimes it’s just better to avoid long blog posts and cut straight to the point!
Think of #ClarityGems as your weekly shake of the good ‘ole Magic 8 Ball … you never know what might bubble up and how it might be exactly what you need to hear today.
And instead of just a beautiful, inspirational, and shareable image (which is a nice start), we’re giving you some quick thoughts about how to interpret it … because inspiration without action is pretty, but kind of anti-climatic.
Tweet it, share it on Instagram, or forward it along to someone who needs to hear it today … and tag us (@ClarityonFire) to let us know how this Gem is inspiring you!
Much Love,
Kristen + Rachel
Here is another facet to “obligation”…I inherited a serious disease from my mother. It’s called compassion and empathy for others, and if not brought under control, it is going to be my demise. I watched my mom literally give the shirt off of her back to help those less fortunate than her. Mom lived in poverty most of her life, but if she saw someone hungry, she would go without a meal just to feed someone else. A lifetime of this behavior transformed her over the many years of rescuing those in need (and many times she was deceived and “used”). In her last years of life, she became negative, bitter, and sometimes downright hateful. Her most common statement, her mantra, was “I hate people”. She became a full blown hoarder, and not just physical things, but animals. I got angry at her one day about her callousness towards people, and in that anger I criticized her for treating animals better than people. I am truly sorry I said that, and now it’s too late to apologize because she is gone. Now that I recognize this “disease” for what it is, I am fearful. I have spent a good portion of my adult life depleting my resources (physical, mental, and monetarily) trying to “fix” others. This is an “addiction” more insidious, more powerful than any drug. If I do not stop feeling so OBLIGATED to save others, I am doomed to end up just like mom.