The crisp January air always brings with it a sense of renewal, a chance to shed the old and embrace the new.
This year, I find myself drawn to introspection, pondering the intricate dance between ambition and authenticity.
Robert Greene's "The 48 Laws of Power" offers a fascinating, albeit cynical, lens through which to view human interaction.
It's a world of calculated moves, hidden agendas, and the relentless pursuit of dominance. While intriguing, this perspective feels somewhat…limiting.
It focuses on the external, on manipulating situations and controlling outcomes, rather than exploring the depths of our own being.
This contrast led me to The Daily Laws by Robert Green, one that delves into the realm of the inner world.
I began to reflect on my childhood, a time when life felt less complicated, more…fluid.
I remember the sheer joy of a new box of colored pencils, the meticulous way I'd organize them in my mother's dressing table drawer, a sanctuary of creativity. Hours would melt away as I lost myself in a good book, transported to fantastical realms, oblivious to the world outside my window.
Psychologist Abraham Maslow coined the term "impulse voices" to describe these innate inclinations, these passions that seem to emanate from deep within our souls.
As children, we are drawn to certain things with an almost magnetic force.
For me, it was the written word, the magic of storytelling, and the sheer delight of creation. I'd spend afternoons in our small verandah, playing teacher with my elder sister, crafting miniature "classwork" on the concrete wall with chalk.
Time seemed to cease to exist in those moments. It was pure, unadulterated joy.
Where did these passions originate?
Were they whispers from some deeper part of ourselves, a guiding force leading us towards our true purpose?
Perhaps.
These impulses, I believe, are the threads of our individuality, the unique tapestry that makes us who we are. They are unfiltered by societal expectations, the pressures of adulthood, or the relentless pursuit of external validation.
I see them as something far more profound. They are the compass pointing us towards a life of authenticity, a life lived in alignment with our deepest values.
This January, I'm making a conscious effort to reconnect with these inner voices.
To listen more deeply to my intuition, to explore those passions that once ignited my soul. It's a journey of rediscovery, a peeling back of the layers of adulthood to reveal the vibrant, curious child within.
It won't be easy. There will be distractions, doubts, and the constant pull of external pressures.
But I'm committed to nurturing these inner sparks, to honoring the unique path that is meant for me.
This is not about becoming a child again, but about reclaiming the essence of childhood – the wonder, the curiosity, the sheer joy of being.
It's about remembering that life is not just about surviving, but about thriving, about living a life that is truly meaningful and fulfilling.
This year, I'm choosing to listen to the calling of my soul.
Comments