Every day I struggle to get out of bed. If I have an appointment or something specific to do, it is much easier. Why is it that being asleep or just ignoring the world around you is easier than going out there and experiencing the riches of life?

Whenever I ask someone how they are doing or what is going on in their lives, they can’t wait to tell me how stressed they are or how difficult life is in one way or another. Alternatively the 4 letter word pops out…FINE. Fine is rarely an answer and its overuse has made it even less of an acceptable response. Fine tells me nothing. When I ask how you are, I really want to know. I don’t necessarily need a diatribe of your life, but I wouldn’t mind a bit of honesty…

Ahh honesty. Therein lies the problem. How can we be honest with each other when we refuse to be honest with ourselves. I say it like being honest with ourselves is a simple decision, but it rarely is. The pressures that we face from the world around us often make us lose sight of how to be in touch with ourselves. When was the last time that you sat quietly and really thought about what you wanted. Filter out the magazines, friends, family, social expectations of who or what you should be. They’re not right!

You are the only person who can make yourself happy. If you can’t find happiness in yourself then it is highly unlikely that you will ever be happy with anyone else. Maintaining that happiness is a whole other story.

On the 1st of April 2010, a group of 10 people set out to discover more about themselves then ever before. They are the Life to the Limit group and are aiming to spend the 30 days of April on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean. Unlike the Survivor series there are no coconut trees, the sea is not teaming with fish and there are no TV crews constantly trying to capture your every move. They were only allowed to take what would fit in a 5 litre bag and they are already learning about their inner strength. (www.life2thelimit.co.za)

If most of us had this opportunity, what would we do. Most of us would have the excuse of not being able to ake a full month out of our lives. Think of the money that you would lose or the career opportunities missed. While these are valid reasons, they need to be seen in context and they should definitely not be the only things holding you back.

We read about inspiring people everyday. People who are giving hope to thousands or to one person, saving frogs or saving elephants. People who are listening to their inner beings and acting on their true passions. I guarentee you that those people are no better than you or me. I’m not saying that you need to give up everything and change the world. I’m saying that you need to seriously analyse who you are, what you stand for and what makes you happy. You could sail around the world, volunteer at your SPCA, be a great mother, be an inspiring boss or a great employee. The options are endless…I guess that that makes it harder. Too many choices results in it being harder to choose and I’m sure that’s why so many of us go through life with an inner disquiet and not knowing how to be the heroes that we were created to be.

We need to learn who we are and live who we are in everything that we do. We are awesome and there is no justification for us to be living anything but our all at work, at home, in our families or when we are at leisure. Live with all of your heart. Don’t let comfort rob you of the life that is out there just waiting to be lived by you and only you!