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Dancing Down the Path of Least Resistance

posted 31st October 2010    Written by: Lindsey    CATEGORY: Life Lesson, Lindsey, Season 3, What I've Learned

If you asked me-3-months-ago what I’d be doing today, I would have gotten the answer wrong.

Still living in small town Michigan? No way. Definitely not with your parents! Still feeling confused about your path in life? Of course not! Why you’ve had a whole summer of introspection, you have all the answers! Right? …. Right?!

Nope.

And that answer is okay with me. Sort of.

Walkin’ the Path

We are all on the same path called life. And some days we don’t have a fucking clue where we are walking, why we’re walking there, or, on the bad days, even how to walk. Other days are better. But not having a clue? That’s just fine.

There’s no “Figure it Out” police beating down my door telling me that by age 25 I have to have the answers. Realizing my life purpose wouldn’t be handed to me on a platter took a surprisingly long time. And accepting this took even longer.

As I prepare to leave everything behind again, and embark on a journey into the great unknown, I am reflecting on my past, and pulling out lessons to take with me into the future.

The Path of Least Resistance

I was doing some YouTube Yoga with a friend the other day, and the video lady told us to take the path of least resistance in our practice. As someone who has spent a fair amount of time forcing her body into precarious yoga poses, this struck a chord with me.

What am I forcing in my life? Purpose. Career. Relationships. Et cetera. I have my Big Dream picture. I have me, in real life, right now. And a great long path in front of me, that eventually leads to Big Dream life. Which got me thinking…

Why must I force life, when there are so many fun surprises to be discovered along the way?

So I made some rules for myself, to keep me on my path of least resistance.

What you want and what you get are two different things. Get over it.

Whatever preconceived notions you have about your future are wrong. There is no way to predict the future. Dreams are a glorious way to make sure you are on a path that fulfills and motivates you but the exact picture in your head will likely never turn out exactly as you see it. (Shhh, It might even turn out better.)

There is a point where dreams must be recognized as nothing more than dreams. Use them as guiding principles as you create your reality. Reality is much better anyways, because it’s, well, real.

Your purpose in life is to live. Simple as that.

Obsess over finding your passion and your purpose all you want, but I’m not convinced this is a useful way to spend your time. Get out of your head and experience life.

Humanity is beautiful.

You aren’t perfect. No one is perfect. But on your best days, there is someone in your life who can make it better. Share a meal. Give a gift. Smile. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will replace the amazing value of other people.

Dancin’ that Path Because Walking is Less Fun

Depression has become a natural partner to the confusion of finding purpose in life. When it doesn’t work out, it’s easy to fall into a state of sadness and disappointment. Walking the path, and especially on the path of least resistance is good. But, hell, let’s turn on some jams, put on our dancing shoes and spin down it. I am so sick of waiting to celebrate, I might just do it the whole way there. Where ever “there” is…

{photo credit : mikebaird}

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Following Through With A Dream

posted 21st January 2010    Written by: Marisa    CATEGORY: All Posts, Marisa, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1

Do you remember that time in your early pre-teens where you were told to make a decision of either participating in Orchestra or Band? I remember it well. I was torn between wanting to be in the field while frantically banging on drums while my parents wanted to hear me play the violin indoors with symphonies and classical themes.

The Parental influence won in the end.

And during those painful/awkward years as a pre-teen and teen, I ended playing the violin for almost 6 years. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would at that age, but still… That nagging push I had inside of me told me I was meant to play the drums. And I’ve finally listened to it, almost 14 years later.

I thought it appropriate to write about music for this entry as the time passes with these last couple of QLC entries. I have a lot of things coming up that I’m involved with locally and even nationally so I feel the need to purge with words.

I never thought I would be this heavily involved within a scene and it’s not necessarily negative or bad persay, it’s just sometimes it gets overwhelming.

There’s a female drumming event this week put on by a NYC magazine and I was lucky enough to be involved with partaking in the planning and benefit; it’s a great direction for this city since I personally don’t think enough attention is paid to female musicians. I’m still taking weekly lessons, still on the pursuit of a drum kit and still wanting to make music. In fact, during my lunch breaks, I’ve been writing beats (simple beats, yes) but nonetheless, it’s music.

Who what have thunk it? Me, Marisa, writing some music and pairing it with my friend Anna’s music.

I’m determined to make it ALL work. There’s something frightening and yet exciting about following the path you want. I made that promise to myself last April, and as I’m quickly coming upon that anniversary-I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.

Not only has life been busy with drumming, but being involved with an indie music label has been a wonderous and ridiculous experience in itself. I was able to finally see some of the fruits of my labor when one of the Bay area signed groups was featured in Filter Magazine as the first “Undiscovered” discovered band of 2010 for Filter.

And, (I’m trying to contain the exclamation marks), but KEXP has contacted us  about some exciting things that I can’t yet confirm, but it’s exciting!!!!!!

So what’s the lesson here as I wind down with all of my thoughts?

I’ve learned in the past nine months that once you find your niche, your passion or your interest, don’t let it go. Don’t ever let it go; you can let it wean a bit, maybe put it on the back burner if need be, but don’t let it go.

You never know what’s around the corner. This may be really corny of me to say (it’s totally true BTW) but with positivity, determination and heart, you can make it work.

photo credit : dennis_vu

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Everyone is Born With Passion

posted 30th December 2009    Written by: Andrea    CATEGORY: All Posts, Andrea, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1, What I've Learned

What is your passion? If you had to write a phrase explaining yours, what would it be?

While spending an amazing family weekend with my mom and sister in NYC, we talked a lot about the past and pondered over the future. I was still trying to come up with a topic for my Personal Statement and I think I may have found it.

I’m going to write about passion.

My passion is to mentor others, just as special people in my life have been a mentor figure for me.

I have this theory that everyone is born with passion. The challenge in life  is to discover that passion, and then really conquer it. I see too many people living passion-less lives. We only get one shot at life so why not try to find our passion in the time we’ve got, right?

If you are having a hard time figuring out your potentials passion try this excercise. Get out a piece of paper and try to fill in the blanks:

Its ok if you aren’t living your passion at this exact moment, just as long as you are aware that YOU have one and there is potential to achieve that dream someday.

It’s a tricky question, isn’t it?

It takes some serious thought. Maybe too much thought for the time you have set aside to read this Stratejoy blog, but think about it later today, tomorrow or over the next few days and see what you come up with. Write it on a little piece of paper and tuck it in your wallet. Go back and look at it from time to time.

Then, share it with me. I told you my passion and I’d love to hear yours.

Everyone is born with passion, what is yours?

photo credit : faithful chant

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