Zero In On Your Potential and Go For It!

Chapter 1- Listen to your inner voice

If we are all so different how are we each supposed to know what our purpose in life is? The answer is simple- by listening to that inner voice calling you. One thing that is unique in your life amongst humanity is your soul. This is what forms your thought patterns, feelings, and personality. If you believe in G-d, you realize that the essence and purpose of your life is cultivating that soul you possess. When you live true to the essence of which you are, you couldn’t be a happier, or a more accomplished individual.

Some of us block out that inner voice dreaming within us. We may think it is unrealistic, or incongruent with the life pattern/ society we grew up in. We may be scared that others will laugh at us, or think we fell from another planet. What’s worse, it can be we have shared our inner wishes, and people have scorned us for them. So we quickly draw away, bitten and hurt, and we find ourselves tucking those dreams even deeper inside. It usually comes to the point that we are scared to even have the audacity to try. But part of being real is being true to that calling, and listening to the ache of your soul. You may ignore it for days, months, years, or even decades. Yet, it will still be there, deep inside, nagging you. You will not be happy until it is satisfied. That is something that only you can do.

 

Good Voice/ Bad Voice

Which inner voice?

You may be thinking, “I hear many voices, and I know that not all of them should be listened to.” That’s right. This does not mean you should step ahead and follow your desires because they are your soul. Obviously that will lead a person to his ruin.  What you should listen to, is that good inner voice. The one that spurs you on to do what is moral and right.

 

IF you hear an inner voice telling you, “I must try out drugs,” then that’s not the inner voice you should be listening to. Heed the things that tell you to give into your good desires, those that come with hard work, and time. The voices that tell you to cop out, and give in, are never your true inner voice. It’s the counterfeit. In fact it is not even an inner voice. It is an outer desire that takes hold of you and makes you think that this is what you want. But that inner voice deep down is stronger, and you know the negative voice is wrong… if you are willing to listen.

 

This is simple and obvious. The only thing that will prevent people from acknowledging this is their being steeped in a life of pleasure and habits that they don’t want to give up. They may think that voice is them, although it isn’t no matter how strong it may seem.

Cover Up

When you are caught in the moment of a negative desire, one that takes you away from G-d, others, and your inner potential, it’s a cover up of your inner calling. This usually comes along with the feeling of, “I want it, and I want it now.” It’s those instantaneous desires that are short and sweet. They satisfy us momentarily, yet leave us with feelings of emptiness. The pain of the inner voice is so deep, that these distractions temporarily block it out.

So bottom line is, don’t confuse that good inner voice, with any negative voices that come and plague you. Recognize the counterfeit, and don’t let yourself be fooled. You’re worth more than that!

 

There is a reason no two people think alike

You have something special that only you can offer to the world. Be happy you are unique. Don’t feel guilty for having a strain of thought that may not be “typical” thinking.

 

I’ll give a small story to explain this on a very simple level. Just tonight, I had gone to a really extravagant wedding. I don’t think I have ever been to a fancier wedding in my life that I can recall. One thing they pulled off, these wealthy folk who entertained, was having a slow second dance- something virtually unheard of in my circles. Wedding dancing is always fast in accordance with the happy, festive mood. I remember going in a human train behind the bride, just a few hours ago, and my active, lively friend mentioned- “I am so confused.” In our circles that is another way of saying- “This is really strange.”

I had two options at this point- I could either, smile and agree with her, perhaps even throwing in a comment of my own, showing my support of her, more accepted opinion. That would have been the typical response. Or I can think for myself, and decide if I think it is strange.

 Well it so happens that I love slow, moving, music and I actually loved the dancing at that point. (Finally, I can keep up!) So although it was not typical, and perhaps a little strange, I decided that I liked it, so I turned to my friend and said, “It’s funny, but you know, I love slow music. I am actually enjoying this!” Later I added to relate to her a bit more, “I know this is not your type, you are much more jumpy than this. In the back of the train there is a group of really lively girls, if you want to be a bit more active!”

The inner voice inside me believed what I said. This was their wedding, and they can choose to have it the way they saw fit. It was a voice inside that I have saying, ‘Let people be different! Accept their differences and appreciate them. Not everyone has to be like you!’ When I answered her that simple comment, I chose to be me, and follow my thoughts and personality even if it wasn’t the most widely accepted way.

 Develop your uniqueness for that is what you have to contribute to the world. Don’t be locked in the idea that if you think differently you are nuts. Appreciate the difference you have. It is good to get a second opinion often, but not too often. Trust your instinct, and your beliefs and opinions. They work for you, and that is THE MAIN THING! This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be flexible, but you should have confidence in your abilities!

Follow the way that YOU believe is right.

 You don’t have to fit yourself into a mold. I once saw a great saying hanging up on a wall in a classroom.

 What happens when you try to fit a square into a circle? You get a pentagon, and those don’t fit anywhere!

When you try to make what you are into something that you are not, you won’t fit anywhere. There won’t be anything authentic about you either. You are not yourself, and yet you are not what you are trying to be. You are a wannabe who isn’t anything, and those people that you are trying to impress don’t appreciate that either. Your only choice is to listen to YOU!

 

Your desires reflect your unique capacities.

If someone was really bad at construction, chances are more likely that they won’t have much interest in it. We tend to enjoy doing things we have at least some competence in. A good student enjoys studying, and an athlete will enjoy sports. This is the general rule. That, which we gravitate to naturally, often reflects what we have an aptitude for.

This is important for discovering our inner potential. What interests us, and what we are good at, reflect the calling we have in life.

I just read a beautiful story. There was a man called Abe who worked in the World Trade Center and became close friends with a paraplegic. Abe always had a special compassion for handicapped people, and enjoyed helping them and connecting to them.

On the tragic morning of the September Eleventh attacks on the World Trade Center, Abe found his paraplegic friend in the North Tower, and refused to leave his side before his friend would receive assistance. He sent his friends elderly aid to get help, but Abe himself never moved from his friend’s side. They both perished unfortunately, but this story made headlines, and showed the care a man can have for a friend less fortunate than him. This was perhaps the Abe calling in life. To help those handicapped and he filled it to his fullest, when he stood by his friend although it meant his own death.

Following our inner voice is the key to discovering the higher callings of our souls’ potential.

Author's Note

This is a self help book. I started the first few chapters a few years ago. Then end needs more development, I know, and the writing needs more sophistication overall. But Id love to hear your thoughts on the ideas and your impressions.
Just click on the little blue writing on top that says -Intro, or chapter 1.
Thanks!