“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
― Albert Einstein
I have been obsessed with Elizabeth Gilbert, the writer of "Eat, Pray, Love" and "Big Magic" for last few days now. Watched her speeches, and now I'm half way done with Big Magic, I just can't get enough of it. Her words speaks to me in a very authentic way. Even in her book, she says so. "Don't even worry about being original. Just be authentic and it sure will be original. Do it just because you love being creative.". I am paraphrasing it, but I was awe struck by this.
http://www.supersoul.tv/supersoul-sessions/elizabeth-gilbert-flight-hummingbird-curiosity
In this video, she talks about how her speech about "following your passion" made this guest feel like a loser. It actually has been a while, since I realized that I don't have the "IT" thing that drives me. Luckily I was passionate about many things. As a matter of fact, I was passionate about a lot of things, maybe too many. My energy was shooting towards all over the place. I was good at lot of things, but didn't excel in anything.
Elizabeth Gilbert said "follow your curiosity."
My passion and focus have always moved around. There were phases. At one point, I'd be obsessed with photography, and it could be something else the very next day. I thought I was following the actor and singer path, I was going to be the next Lea Salonga in Miss Saigon. I was more than ready to move on to the new chapter when I moved to NYC 3 years ago. WRONG! Things had to take its own turn. I did a lot of work for myself when I was in that phase. I took acting classes, dance classes, voice classes, speech classes, workshops, I got myself an agent, I went to networking events, I performed here and there, I auditioned ... I put efforts to that path both financially and mentally. I don't regret any of that. It led me to all kinds of amazing things and people that I really care. Even during that time, I had my detour here and there. I got really into headshot photography. That made me see things differently in more basic human level. I saw how beautiful each and every person is. I saw how they don't realize their true potential and beauty within. I found pleasure helping them get out of their shell and just play. Then I got into yoga, meditation, chakra system, essential oils, reiki,... well all those hippie, holistic things.... and that's where I am now.
I thought about taking the Teacher's Training for Yoga years ago. But it wasn't calling me at that time. It wasn't speaking to me. So I let that go. But this time was different. It was screaming and yelling at me to take it. So I did. I still wasn't convinced that I was going to be a yoga teacher. Let's face it, in this Western culture, where Yoga is more of a trendy thing to do rather than actual practice, I didn't see myself as qualified. Also, I wasn't interested in teaching anyways. I took it because I wanted to study more in-depth about Chakra Yoga. Even in the initial meeting with my teacher I told her that. "Do you know how many people say that when they start training and change their mind completely by the time training ends?" Boy, she was right. I just wanna share this amazing tool to cultivate what's within ourselves.
I don't know where the Universe will take me next. I might be saying something completely different tomorrow. "Hey, look. I decided that I will be an astronaut." Who knows. But I decided that I want to follow my curiosity. And it seems to be working for me till now. During the teacher's training, in one assignment, I was suppose to interview 3-5 people about where I could grow more. They all said the same thing. "Trust in yourself". The Universe knows better than we can possibly imagine, right? it was clear that it was the message. So, as of today, I am stating that my passion is life, my passion is to follow my curiosity. I may have to start over from the scratch over and over again, but if that's what the Universe takes me, so be it. Let's learn to surrender actively.
love, hope, faith...
