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Stilettos, Bootstraps and the Laws of the Universe
By karen | October 1, 2007
I don’t wear “stilettos”. Never have. Probably never will. A friend once remarked that the reason why I found them so painful was because my feet were so tiny. I have no idea if that theory is correct, it doesn’t matter, I’m wise enough now to never wear them. Don’t even attempt it anymore. No reason to put myself through that kind of agony. That was an easy lesson.
But the “bootstraps” lesson was a harder lesson to learn. Probably because stilettos are the real, physical shoes and physical pain is so obvious. The pain of the “bootstraps” is subtle, emotional. The pain of the “bootstraps” affects your spirit, your soul, your very being. It is so pervasive and penetrating yet still so vague that sometimes you don’t even realize the agony and the damage you are inflicting upon yourself.
I’m talking about “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and getting to work”. I’m talking about when you override everything just to do what it takes to succeed, “no pain, no gain”, the “Protestant work ethic”, and on and on. I’m sure you have heard all of the platitudes. No reason to keep on repeating them.
But this is what I have learned. I learned it the hard way but I am grateful that I know this now. This is Important. This is at the heart of the teachings of the Laws of the Universe, especially the Law of Attraction.
The Universe will not assist you in becoming Mediocre!!
If you are not following your passions, if you are not doing what you love to do, if you are following the money, or someone else’s dreams for you, if you are doing something for any other reason except that you love it and are passionate about it….
A recent Abraham CD that I listened to confirmed this truth for me. When I heard this it hit me hard. I absolutely got it. It was clear to me. Abraham said “an average student of math doesn’t care about math”. The conversation continued and Abe made it very clear that an average student of math would never become a great mathematician, never make great strides in the field of math. An average student of math would always be just that, average. Not for lack of trying but rather for lack of passion and therefore the lack of the assistance of the Law of Attraction.
In order to become Great, you have to have the passion, the joy, the excitement, the thrill. And when you have those things in your chosen course, the Universal forces will come to your aid, the right situations and the right people, the right opportunities will come to you.
I learned this the hard way. For many years I was an “average” Realtor. The money was okay but I was miserable, unhappy, crying in the closet. I hated my work. I know that is a strong word. But it is true.
I can clearly remember driving buyers around in my car, showing houses and thinking that I wished I was at home cleaning my toilets (yes, I wanted to be home doing that rather than what I was doing). When you are having thoughts like that it is a big clue that you are on the wrong path. I was on the wrong path. But I was holding tight to those “bootstraps”! I was pulling myself up and doing whatever it took! It was a continuous struggle, a miserable life, an unhappy chapter in my life.
But I held on. I held on out of fear. I was “chasing the money” and I thought “if I just work harder, more hours, call more prospects” , “if I can just do this, maybe it will change”. But nothing ever changed.
Until I let go of those “bootstraps”.
I ended up having a little breakdown, actually a few breakdowns, seems at that time I was so good at struggling to swim upstream that the Universe had to beat me down over and again.
But during those breakdowns I clarified exactly what I truly wanted. I didn’t really want listings and buyers and plaques on the wall, what I really wanted was a house, a garden and a baby.
But all of those things that I really wanted remained elusive to me so long as I was holding on to those bootstraps so tight.
It took some Faith and a desire so big that it couldn’t be stopped but I finally was able to let go of the fear that I had to hold on to my old career. I let go of those bootstraps.
And the Universal Forces came to my aid.
New opportunities for money came my way. I got my house. I got my babies, three of them (that dream was even bigger than I had allowed myself to imagine!). I got my garden.
And now I spend the majority of my time doing what I love, following my bliss, my joy, my passion. I would rather be an Unpublished and even Unread writer than a successful Realtor any day. But I never would have become any more than an “average Realtor” anyway. I know that now. I didn’t have the passion. Enormous and Massive Success does not come from “bootstraps” and Joy, passion and happiness go a long way in creating a successful life.
I no longer need to “crack the whip” or “pull myself up by my bootstraps” because I’m no longer fighting against the current of my life and the Law of Attraction and the Universe are now working with me instead of against me. The doors are now opening.
And the Universe will open doors for you
Where there were only walls.
Joseph Campbell
1904-1987
This post has been included in the
Personal Development and Happiness Carnival, issue 19,
December 2, 2007.
The Carnival is located at
The Next 45 Years
Popularity: 2% [?]
Topics: Living the Power, Real Life, The Art of Allowing, The Law of Attraction |
October 1st, 2007 at 5:25 pm
I agree with your observations. I also tried being a realtor and other jobs that I was not suited for when I was younger but I was miserable because my heart just wasnt in it. It sounds as though you have found your calling in life. You are blessed because many people never do. Thanks for the great post.
http://www.SuccessCurrent.com
October 1st, 2007 at 5:55 pm
You know I count my blessings every single day for that! I know I am blessed!
thanks for stopping by Paul
October 1st, 2007 at 5:57 pm
What a wonderful glimpse of what motivated you to get into the field of personal development!
Thank you for sharing, Karen!
October 1st, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Oooh, I did kind of bear my soul here didn’t I?
But I think I illustrated my point!
Thanks for stopping by and thank you for your comment!
October 1st, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Oh, wonderful post, Karen and so what I’ve experienced in life, too. If I’m not passionate, forget it, doesn’t work no how no way. I can try and fight it, but it only creates more misery.
I’m so happyhappy you’re in exactly the place you want to be!!! It shines through.
October 2nd, 2007 at 7:52 am
Pamm
You’re right, it doesn’t matter what you do when you’re in that place, it just creates more misery!
But when you have a passion…..
Life flows!
Is that the stream that I hear so much of? Yes!
Thanks for stopping by!
October 4th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Great Post.
Be passionate about what you enjoy doing and everything will fall into place…
Melvin Tan
October 4th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Thank you Melvin!
I appreciate you stopping by and your kind comment!
October 9th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Karen, I love the metaphor of Stilettos and Bootstraps. Thanks for the great article.
October 9th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Thanks, Peter
I appreciate you stopping by and your comments!
Thank you.
October 15th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Hi Karen - this one really hit home to me as well - now I am doing what I love to do - talking to friends and writing. It’s great!
October 15th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Thanks for stopping by Viv.
Life is sweeter when you follow your heart and your passions.
For you it is your Art also. You have mentioned before how much you love it. And you have created some beautiful paintings.
November 18th, 2007 at 10:55 am
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