The Path of Change

Wealth consists not in having great possessions but in having few wants. ~ Esther De Waal

The past few days I've felt a lot of emotions from anxiety to elation.  It is a time of dissonance because it is the convergence of many thoughts and long awaited dreams battling for their place among your final list of goals.  Coming to the realization that things are not what you want them to be is only the beginning of your walk along the path of change.  There will be many adjustments to make and obstacles to overcome, and you will need to spend some time alone figuring out what it is you really desire.  But, as it is often said, most things in life worth achieving require some work.

I have already begun to make some small changes to the way I spend my time.   This week, I have thrown out 20 things, made some room in the nursery for the new baby, thought about and planned my nutrition intake, eaten healthy home cooked meals, spent some time outdoors, and enjoyed special moments with my family.  But the thing that has caused the most anxiety is figuring out my bigger purpose and how to overcome the obstacles that stand in my way.

I have learned that among the vast possibilities available to us we must narrow them down to a few simple wants.  On the surface certain goals may seem very desirable, but we should analyze our motivations and figure out what is most important to us.  Is medicine a prestigious and fruitful career to embark on?  I believe so, but is it for everyone?  Of course not.  Whatever you choose to do it should be for the right reasons, and one of the best ways to know if you are choosing a particular path for the right reasons is to first acknowledge the things you value most in life; the principles you live by.

If you find yourself going from one idea to another unable to settle on one path it is possible that you are allowing external influences to interfere with your own understanding of who you are and what you want.  The people I have known who flutter from one hobby, lifestyle, or career goal to another also seem to be the most confused about their identity.  If any of this sounds familiar you could start by asking yourself some simple questions like:

What inspires and motivates you?
On what occasions do you feel truly happy?
What kind of accomplishments have been most meaningful to you?
What do you value most in life?

Depending on where you stand with your knowledge of yourself and your purpose, these questions may be inspiring or frustrating.  If this is not the first time you have tried to identify your skills and desires, I encourage you to push through the frustration and begin again.  Clear your mind and forget what you think seem like good paths to follow and allow yourself to explore who you are first.

Aside from confusion, the restlessness and anxiety that accompany this time can also be to do with wanting the results before you have put in the work.  Once you begin on the path you are eager to jump in and yield the rewards, especially if you already feel like you are behind, but it takes time and work to make things happen.  Don't lose your momentum, but understand that the seeds you are sowing need time to grow.