As much as we want to stand out and be seen as individuals, we also desire to stand together as part of a community; feeling welcomed, supported and accepted (in some shape or form). This sentiment is by no means earth shattering, but here’s the tricky part; sometimes our hidden desire to connect with others really is silently guiding us to conform, keeping our creative fire small. This may lead us to make choices to fit in or try to make future decisions based on what we feel will be accepted by our community or family.
And the biggest challenge is that we don’t even realize we are doing it.
Ingrained Habit or True Creative Fire Desire
After so many years of unknowingly reinforcing ingrained behaviors, they just become part of us. It feels natural, and we then gravitate to others who act and feel the same. It’s only when our everyday habits begin to feel heavy, “sticky” or leave us feeling “blah” that we notice our wings aren’t spreading as far as we would like, and we think about new ideas or plans a lot more than we act on them. We also talk in circles of “some day.”
If these feelings become the norm instead of the exception, it’s time to ask yourself a very important question: “Am I doing this because it really lights up my creative fire, because I think I’m supposed to, or because I’m used to it?”
Don’t just go with the first answer that pops into your head…really sit with this question. Walk with it, meditate on it, let it wash over all of you — not just your mind. Then, when you’ve had time to let all aspects of “you” answer (mind, body and soul), see if your perspective has shifted. Feel into it; sense your own openness to changing.
You might discover you want the same things, but wish to approach them differently. Perhaps your desire for something isn’t as strong as it was a year ago and you want to move on. Or, maybe you feel guilty changing your behavior to match your desires because that would mean changing HOW you connect with your community or finding a new one.
These types of insights can sometimes bring up more questions than answers, and that’s perfect. It helps you really clarify what you need and want in order to step into the next evolving expression of your creative fire, while releasing the ideas and relationships that keep you tethered to blah-ness.
Open the Door to Something More
It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone and make a change, especially one that rocks the familiar center of operation for your feelings, thoughts and actions. And it takes even more chutzpah to take the leap, knowing that your community may no longer be a viable support system or be excited about the “new you”.
To stay true to an outgrown habit instead of your creative fire hurts everyone and helps no one. As connected as we all are in the daily experience of living life as human beings, we serve our highest purpose when we are true to our gifts and share the highest expression of them. Otherwise all we are doing is denying those who can benefit from the highest expression of ourselves, including us. And even if you separate from your current community, they will still in some way benefit from the highest expression of your creative fire, no matter how it evolves on a larger scale.
Acceptance is at the crux of the human heart space, enabling us to connect to others through shared experiences that range from the deepest pains to the highest joys. But it has to start with you accepting the full spectrum of who you are, no exceptions, otherwise your creative fire will never be fully ignited. So, are you ready to see all of you and let those wings breathe a little?
How have you handled change while maintaining community ties? Any insights or tips?
Photo credit: wiredforlego on Flickr