A Shift from Obligation to Offering: Finding Happiness in the Everyday

Today, I wanted to share some home truths. Not because I want to put a damper on your life or anyone else's, but I feel I need to say it in the hope that it might be exactly what you need to hear.

So, let me start by giving you a bit of context.

After my divorce, redundancy, and having to sell my home a decade ago, I've had this dream I've been chasing - it's often called 'The Laptop Lifestyle'

I had this dream not only because I was seemingly unemployable at the age of 52 but also because, for the first time in over three decades, I found myself with a newfound freedom. Single for the first time since my twenties and with my children now independent, I was ready to embrace this new chapter of my life.

I joined various groups aiming to build online businesses and spent considerable money on so-called business gurus, only to end up with little to show for it. Recently, I gave it one last chance with a business coach who claimed to be able to take my business to the top.

Call me crazy or just foolish; it doesn't really matter because I've always been quite comfortable with risk. I guess that comes from growing up with a father who was a gambling addict, so I never really knew what security meant.

Anyway, to the point, after finishing working with this coach, I was not only back to square one, but now my bank balance was beginning to hit even my risk tolerance.

Here are some important lessons I've taken from this experience:

• I don't like how the term 'coaching' has come to represent some rather unscrupulous individuals who are making promises that even they know they can't fulfil, but it's okay as long as they are lining their pockets! And, I'm not happy to be in that arena.
• What people show on their profiles doesn't necessarily represent their reality – it's easy to look like a millionaire nowadays, so be very careful if you're feeling drawn into a story because it may very well be just that, a very good story.
• And this was a big one for me: If you find yourself comparing your so-called boring or less-than-successful life, remember that success and happiness do not lie in your bank balance, the mansion you live in, or the car you drive.

Happiness comes from living YOUR life with meaning, purpose, and love (lots of love!).

I want to clarify here that I know there are a lot of good coaches out there, many that don't even shout about it and get on with the job of transforming people's lives.

But one thing I've learned in life is that it's NOT the brightest or most talented that get noticed, it is the ones that shout the loudest.

Now, if you've made it this far, I thank you, but the point of this article is this:

I've just taken on a lecturing role at an FE college. It's the first time that I'm entering this type of educational institution as my background is in secondary education. I accepted this not only because I need some security but also because it gives me the opportunity to try something new, with the hope that I can make an impact in the way I have in the past.

What troubled me about taking on this new role was the thought that I might have to abandon my dreams.

But then I came across this:

Turn Routine into Ritual and Obligation into Offering.

After reading these simple words, it suddenly struck me:

This isn't giving up; it's a readjustment.

The end goal remains the same, but the path to get there looks slightly different than I'd planned—isn't that life after all?

Turning Routine into Ritual.

My new book centres around living mindfully amidst life's chaos, not just when we're comfortably seated on a cushion in a silent temple.

Life challenges us to apply our practice to transform our daily experiences—that is true mindfulness.

My next challenge is to embrace my new lecturing role while continuing to pursue my other passions.

This is an opportunity to practice mindful living in the midst of it all.

So, I leave you with these questions:

How can you transform the tasks you don’t want to do, but must, into offerings and rituals?

How can you better cope with life as it is, so you can find peace in it?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

And if this resonates with you, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter.

📙📙 Get a copy of my book, 'How did I get here? A Guide to Letting Go of Your Past & Living in Alignment with Your True Self'