Are You Choosing the Bigger Life?

The sun’s setting rays reflect off the ocean making it scintillate with possibilities. My favorite part of my hour-long commute is driving the coast back home. I sit appreciating the silence in my car, no music, no podcasts, just the subtle breeze of the a/c, and the gentle stop-and-go motion of the traffic.  My thoughts are too loud.

I realize I’m pondering a new career move, one that would keep me in the same position but would demand more from me in regards to time and responsibilities.

I haven’t been in my career long but, I’m in love with it. I explain to the students I counsel and teach how it’s like having a crush on your career.  The commute is worth it to help them realize their passions, purpose, and path.

I am a living example that finding one’s purpose can happen. So why didn’t I want this new opportunity?

As I thought of the application process, I felt my stomach clench and waves of anxiety wash over me.  I rolled down the window, letting the salty air rush into my car, through my hair, caressing my face. I could hear the waves crashing rhythmically to the shore and a question began to formulate inside my head.  I looked out over the expanse of the ocean and the sky.

The answer came quickly to me, “No.” A year ago, this would not have been such an obvious choice for me but in the last year, I have tried to take steps toward growth instead of comfort. In realizing my answer to this question, my shoulders relaxed and I felt a sense of relief.

There are many things I want to do, many paths still left to take. Choosing this new career move would possibly close off those paths of possibility. Is it scary to choose the road less traveled? Of course! Exciting? Heck yes! I realize however that growth is sometimes scary.

Growing into the person one aims to be and making the choices necessary to have the life one dreams, can be uncomfortable. That’s ok.

This choice of choosing the bigger life is going to be something I will constantly work hard at and create myself. One that will be questioned by others but most importantly by myself.  While this will be challenging, what I have to remember is that physically growing from a child to an adult was at times painful. But, painful emotional life lessons often make us stronger than we ever thought we could be.

Life experience has taught me also that while it’s much easier to stay comfortable on my couch, choosing growth is much more rewarding and lasting.

What was this choice you ask? To start this blog.

So, how about you? Are YOU choosing the bigger life? What’s a recent choice you have made toward choosing the bigger life?