I found an old thumbstick in a purse I no longer use.
Curious to see its contents, I plugged it into my new laptop and found a one-page document I’d written 11 years ago. The title was: “My Passion.” I had no idea what to expect and realized that I had written it during a time in my life when I was searching for my own purpose. I did not have a career, my teenage sons were still living at home, and I wanted something concrete to look forward to. I knew what I liked to do, and what my strengths were, but how could I create a life that encompassed all my dreams?
This was a time when I read self-help books hoping for a solution. I didn’t really believe in visualization, and the ability to manifest dreams, but as I started re-reading “My Passion,” I shuddered: Was I reading a dream, or my life today?
Here’s what I wrote on March 13th, 2007.
My Passion
I love my job, it’s my passion, and I absolutely adore doing it. I wake up and feel happy that I can do what I love and what I’m best at on a daily basis. I control my own hours, and spend a good deal of time meeting people. I network with people of baby boomer age and older, and provide a service that is beneficial to my clients. I motivate them, one on one, and in small groups, to be positive and happy with their lives. I travel and experience new adventures.
People refer me to their friends and relatives and see the benefits of what I can do for them. It never feels like work, as it is giving part of what I already have and it is very natural for me to do this. I have one very good contact, the catalyst. The people I deal with are very well educated, interesting, and down to earth. It’s very easy. People request my services and soon I recruit others to help me. I select carefully to keep a good reputation going for my business, and to keep the “personal touch” with each one of my clients, whom I have grown to consider more than clients.
These clients offer me numerous opportunities to travel. I have a loving and peaceful job, and the answer is simply staring me in the face.
It is there, right in front of me, and I make it happen. This is what I see:
- a service
- word-of-mouth referrals
- helping people
- fulfilling a need for baby-boomers
- writing articles
Now it’s 2018, and everything in this document has culminated in what I’m doing today. So who is the catalyst?
My hairdresser, and friend, Gillian, who mentioned that I was looking for a career and returning from Africa. I was fortunate to find a career in the Safari business through her.
Sometimes I think this is luck, and other times I believe we can create our ideal life.
The five goals that I wrote about in 2007 are now part of my life. I offer a service, I help people who want new travel experiences, I organize Safaris for Baby-boomers, I write blog posts, and I’m starting to get word-of-mouth referrals.
- a service
- word-of-mouth referrals
- helping people
- fulfilling a need for baby-boomers
- writing articles
I’m leading my first group of women travelers on a purposeful Safari to Kenya this October. We’re visiting orphans and vulnerable children at a school in Nairobi, Kenya, and spending a day with them. We have ten ladies who are also passionate about visiting a school and helping. I plan to offer this trip again next year as well with my friend, Roz Berry, Director of the African Child Foundation. You can see the flyer for 2019, by clicking on the link below.
Women Travel with a Purpose flyer 2019
Women Travel with a Purpose flyer 2019
Have you had a similar experience where you’ve written down your ideal career or life and checked back to see if it materialized?
Please share your story in the comments section below.
Before I climbed Kilimanjaro (with the Sierra Club) in 2012, I discovered that I had to have 8 medical shots, was well as 2 post-climb shots (4 had to do with malaria!). The implications of disease potential, not to mention possible trail hazards (e.g., altitude sickness), led me to sit down and write my obituary–in advance. It was one of the hardest pieces of writing I ever undertook, for I was forced, for the first time ever, to really think through what it was that I wanted to be remembered for. I would challenge anyone who have not already done so, to write her/his own…
Wow Bill! I haven’t written my own obituary. It would be an interesting exercise though. Has it helped you in any way?
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Can You Create Your Ideal Life?
I adore you, Sonia. You are truly a positive influence for me and so many others.
I do not recall writing a strategic plan for my business career or life. Working at a few larger ad agencies I was asked by management to project where “I saw myself 10-years hence.” Always wrote what I knew they wanted to hear but considered it corporate BS. From my freshman year in high school, to this very day, I have gone with the flow, outworked the competition, and fell into the most wonderous jobs. Jobs that I couldn’t have desired as I didn’t know they existed. I credit my first employer, Robert Adleman with all the success I have achieved since. How did I encounter this extraordinary man? It had to be luck or divine intervention, take your pick, as I can take no credit for the introduction. What I did with it, yes. I took advantage of every opportunity he sent my way. I can truly say that I never “worked” a day in my life. I enjoyed every moment of every day. Sure, there were bad times, worst being told at age 50, my career in adverting was over. This merely provided the impedance to start my own corporation which in less than a year became a larger income generator than any firm where I had previously worked. Keeping a positive outlook is a part of my constitution. I truly believe the best is yet to come for me in my new “job” as a writer. Received word last week that my first book has jumped a high hurtle toward becoming a major motion picture and I have even higher expectations for my current project. Stay tuned.
Charlie Redner
Hi Charlie,
So nice to read your career journey, and how good things happened along the way, including starting your own company. I’ve always analysed and projected into the future, which can be a good thing as well as a problem. It might suggest that I have trouble living “in the moment.” I’m working on that though.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Can You Create Your Ideal Life?
My suggestion,: Whatever you are doing … keep doing it. You are incredible and I know whatever path you take it will be an adventure and worth following for inspiration.
Charlie
I only write what goes on in my life and if that can inspire others,; well that’s fantastic.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Dining for Women Helps Reduce Poverty Among Girls in the Developing World
Thanks Sonia, I’ll try those two things: the ideal goals, and the obituary (thanks to Bill). I believe that if we are truthful with ourselves and live accordingly, life will always bring out the best from inside us, i.e. the real purpose of our personal lives. But as you say, we have problems living the present moment, and allowing time to do the work. Perhaps you could coach us Sonia! xx
Hi Carol, I don’t think I can coach people about living in the moment. Maybe someone who does yoga can, or a Monk. Wish I could learn myself. Glad you’re inspired Carol, and thank you for your comment.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Dining for Women Helps Reduce Poverty Among Girls in the Developing World
I so admire you, Sonia. I remember what you were struggling with a few years ago and, I believe, your positive attitude and outlook on life have served you well. I have many places I would like to visit but, Africa is not high on my list. Not that it’s a bad place to vacation. I would rather something more relaxing. But, keep doing what you are doing! You are an inspiration!
xob
Barbara recently posted..Bring Back Sanity!
Hi Barbara,
You can relax in front of a waterhole and watch the elephants come to drink water. I swear I could spend several hours sitting at a lodge and admire all the wildlife and try to figure out what the matriarch is “telling” her baby and the other elephants. It’s really fascinating to study the animals.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Dining for Women Helps Reduce Poverty Among Girls in the Developing World
You wrote you passion down, a physical act. Then you consciously and unconsciously moved forward being open to what appealed to you. In time, the written wish became a reality – what an inspiration!
Thank you Marian. It sounds like you might have had the same happen to you. Am I right?
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Dining for Women Helps Reduce Poverty Among Girls in the Developing World
Hello Sonia, just to let you know that my comment on this post was rejected through moderation. Was there something wrong? xxx
I don’t know why it said that Carol. Of course there was nothing wrong. I love reading your comments, it sometimes takes me a while to reply though.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Dining for Women Helps Reduce Poverty Among Girls in the Developing World