Oops…I was almost in purpose 

 

We’re pushed through school so quickly as children. It’s hard to find a second to breathe, let alone get a clear picture of what our life’s work should be. Yet there we are, fresh faced 14 year olds forced to decide what high school credits to choose from that will determine whether we get into certain university courses. 

 

At 14, I declared I wanted nothing to do with any of the sciences or math and only chose the ones that I had to…instead of exploring my other options. I was an artist. I was going to Emily Carr in Vancouver and you couldn’t have told me anything else. I closed many doors.

 

But what did I know about living, life and learning at 14?

 

Many of us chose quickly too. We were pushed into university quickly after highschool. We took what our parents told us to choose, or we chose out of guilt, shoulds or maybes. We didn’t know what we wanted. We only chose because we had to. 

 

I was lucky enough to have a wild spirit that sent me travelling after highschool and throughout my university days. I took some courses in university but most via distance ed so I could go out and explore. 

 

I learned about what I wanted to do through travel, life experience, trial and error. I eventually chose a career that had nothing to do with what I studied in university and had zero reservations about leaving 7 years of it behind. My time to myself allowed me to get clear on what I wanted and most importantly who I was.

 

“Every man has a vocation to be someone: but he must understand clearly that in order to fulfill this vocation he can only be one person: himself.” 

 

― Stephen Cope, The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling

 

Many of us grip tightly to our history and education. It’s hard to let it all go even if we hate the career we’ve chosen. Many of us have an inkling inside that excites us. An inkling that tells us we’re meant for something else but by the time we receive this tap on the shoulder, this gift of redirection, we’re too scared to make the change. We’re too invested. We’re stuck. We couldn’t possibly throw it all away. 

 

But what if none of it was a waste?

 

What if everything you’ve ever done… has led you to this new place? This new yearning? That your years in education, study, travel, relationship or whatever else you have done have been preparing you for your “what’s next?”

 

In university, I learned how to learn.

In relationship I learned how to commit.

In parenthood I learned how to discipline. 

In travel I learned how to live. 

 

Sometimes things just fall in your lap. Yoga felt like that for me. And my years operating a yoga studio was just that. The perfect thing for me during a period of my life. It was a significant chapter of my life that I will always cherish.

 

And now it’s time for something new. I adored it while I had it, but pivoting to a new career has allowed me to fully step into my purpose. I now help people in a much bigger way. I teach more students through a digital studio and through my online offerings and I serve people on a much deeper level through coaching and transformational work. I know it’s purpose work now because it’s easy. Because it feels good for me…..and them. It works for me and my clients. It’s easy, there’s no hustle and it works well. 

 

I was close to purpose before this. Really close. But I’m glad I saw the opportunity to pivot as an extension and growth of the story of me….and not a “brand new start.” I’m not starting from the bottom. I’m starting from the top. Each step along my journey has led me to this place right here, right now. 

 

Your struggle is your story. Your mistakes, your missteps, your confusion too. 

 

Your purpose only asks that you continue to stay open and present to what is showing up for you. If you have a voice inside of you that is yearning for something different…it’s time to listen to that call. It’s good for you…..and them.

 

“If you bring forth what is within you, it will save you. Now we can add a codicil: If you bring forth what is within you, it will save the world.” 

 

― Stephen Cope, The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling

It takes guts to make a change. But just like the Gita states, “if you bring forth what is within you, it will save you. If you don’t…..it will destroy you.” There  is a deep calling within us that wants us to be brave enough to let go and follow the call. The call is not the status quo. The call feels like excitement and freedom. If you feel trapped by your current circumstance or career……are you willing to answer the call to pivot? The pain of letting go, is nothing like the pain of staying put.

 

We only get one life. We GET to pivot as many times as we’d like.

 

Do you have the courage to answer the call?

 

With grace and grit,

Karla Joy Treadway