Choose your path - what would your obituary say?

Sometimes life catches up with us and we stand at a crossroads, where we are presented with two signs. A sign pointing us to move forward into a new chapter – with no title other than ‘New Chapter’. And another sign, a sign that we recognise. It feels familiar to us. The sign is clear as day and states ‘The Same’.

As we stand at the crossroads we can feel like everything is falling apart. A constant conversation in our mind playing out all the possibilities as we look from left ‘The Same’ to the right ‘New Chapter’.

We play out all the scenarios. It becomes a broken record on repeat. The noise gets deafening. Most people take a deep breath and turn left towards ‘The Same’ – they atleast know what the same feels like and how it will likely play out. It feels, well, safe.

Sometimes in life we realise we don’t want the same. The same is no longer enough. The same feels predictable. Just because it is the same, doesn’t mean you can switch off the noise and get on with life. The same is the same. It feels a bit flat. That feeling when you start watching a movie you haven’t seen before, to realise half way through you have watched it, it just wasn’t memorable. Each day feels and looks the same.

There is a moment when a whisper starts to rise above the noise as you stand at the crossroads and you start to clearly hear the whisper. As you pay attention to the whisper, and quiet the noise, you start to wake up to a new possibility. A possibility that slowly ignites a burning desire deep inside - that has always been there.  A desire that in the past you have not noticed or choose to close down as you settle for ‘The Same’.

The only way to really hear the whisper is to slow down and be still in the present. Be present and sit with the future the whisper is sharing.  Then start to feel it, see it, and experience it. Consider what your future life could be and who you could become. The noise won’t just switch off. It will get noisey again. The noise is your inner critic, your ego, your fear. It doesn’t understand the future and why you want to walk towards the sign that says ‘New Chapter’. You will hear the voice of failure, fear, and judgement echo loud. Everything it says is true, relatable and predictable.

But the whisper will bring hope, opportunity and stories of success. It will take you into a new horizon where you don’t know exactly where you are or where you are going but you are on a path that feels like it has been carved out for you.

Sometimes to really believe what the whisper is telling you is possible, and not a far flung dream, a wild reckless half thought out plan, you need to look and spot the signs. Then become a collector of them as you wake up again to what could be.

The noise and whisper will each grow strong. You will turn to head towards the new chapter, to turn as you feel the pull back to the same. The feelings that come with this awakening, leap of faith, or bold attempt to turn against the norm will be so intense it will feel you are in a storm – with no clear way out – as you ask yourself:

“Do people really turn their back on the same – a predictable life – for the lure of the possibility?”

The land of possibility could end in failure, regret, judgment, and conflict. But it could also be amazing, awe inspiring, and invigorating. You know deep down that it will be ok, life always has a way of working itself out and rewarding you for trusting the process.

There will be a moment where you know a decision is about to be made. Every thought, possibility, and countless collection of scenarios will swirl in front of you. The intensity of the decision, where you are facing the eye of the storm, will mellow as you surrender to the decision.

Some will sleep on it. And when they wake they will know the answer to the question:

“Left towards ‘The Same’ or right towards ‘New Chapter’?”

The many, will be controlled by the noise and slowly walk towards ‘The Same’.

For the bold and courageous, the few, who silenced the noise and allowed the whisper to guide them will walk towards the ‘New Chapter’.

Why do the few choose this new path in life?

The new chapter will allow them to explore their passion and bring to life a dream, or atleast attempt to achieve a life that is aligned to their purpose. The reason they were put onto this planet.

And sometimes to discover the reason you were put on this planet is to consider your death.

I know. Deep.

An obituary is a celebration of your life, a way of illuminating your accomplishments to share with those affected when you leave. How would you want to summarise and condense your life into a few hundred words to pass on your legacy?

Try it.

What are the life achievements you would put to paper and what would you share with those you leave behind?

If you can look at those words and smile as you realise you are living a life you are proud of then you know you are on the correct path. As you contemplate your legacy, ask what one advice you would share with someone starting out in the world, on their life journey, even to a ten-year-old version of you. If you hear your own advice and feel goosebumps as you realise you need to hear it then you know you may not be on the correct path.

What advice would I give to anyone based on my life so far?

Be Curious and quieten your mind so you start to hear the whisper.

I recently heard the whisper and I am excited as I head towards my new chapter.