Passionate Mondays

Today, I am passionate about following our hearts and guts.It seems that lately I've read a lot of blogging posts about people doing just that, of course to great results. I applaud them and by writing this hope to encourage myself and others to do, or to continue to do the same!

Based on a suggestion in a very good book Callings, a few years ago I looked at my life very carefully and analyzed the big decisions I have made, like those about love, jobs, career, family, moves. When I studied the decisions I made that were poor choices they had one thing in common - I was only listening to my head and ignoring my heart and gut. When I looked at the good decisions they all happened because I had specifically followed my gut and heart.

Last year I took a big leap in life and left a very secure job because its frustrations and the work environment were very unhealthy, stressful and unfair. I could feel it taking a toll on my body, mind and spirit. I leapt into the unknown, but my gut and heart never questioned that it was the right thing to do. Since then, many doors have opened for me, opportunities I never would have anticipated have presented themselves and people have crossed my path to show me or inspire me to new avenues. Those subsequent events feel like the "proof in the pudding" that I made the right decision.

I'm sure many of you can relate to difficulties with your spouse or significant other. My husband and I had some rough times in the last three years, as all couples will. There were countless times my head was screaming, "You don't need this, Jeni. You can just leave." But always, always, my gut and heart were saying, "No, it is not the right time. You are meant to be here right now." My instincts were correct. My husband and I have grown tremendously through these tests; we love each other more now than ever before. No, not all the problems are gone, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is where I should be right now.

I want to mention some other blogs with similar stories - about finding ourselves, finding our paths all by following our instincts, even if they may be contradictory to what our brain is telling us to do. Visit Frida's Notebook for a peek into the transformations that are taking place in her life from a series of inspirational meetings with different people. Frida's friend Sussanah of Ink on My Fingers is also on the brink of some big life changes brought around by heartfelt and heart-opening meetings with friends. Gypsy over at Gypsy Girl's Guide is living proof of what a life spent following one's heart can create. (On Gypsy's site, read her "Sunset" post for some inspiration on following your heart in the poem "The Invitation.")

I will leave you with a few inspirational quotes about following your gut, instincts and heart:

“It is the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.” - Rebecca West

“The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” - Louis Boone

“A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” - Grace Murray Hopper

Have a Passionate Monday!