Sometimes we can work ourselves into a spiraling funk when we put our past and future life choices and decisions under the microscope.  The impending arrival of the big 3-0 has had a bit of an effect like that on me recently.

Am I doing enough with my life?
Should I have done more by now?
Am I making the right decisions?

I learned to stop comparing myself to other people years ago.  I think it’s one of the most dangerous things anybody can do to themselves, and is acutely responsible for the overwhelming lack of self esteem many people have within today’s society.

I learned to stop, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still fall for it occasionally.  Milestone birthdays can be terrible for causing disproportionate self-criticism within anyone, but the simple truth – which is often forgotten by society at large- is that we are all meant to live our lives in completely different ways.  We are each looking for different things, and there are small reminders of this all around us – restaurants have extensive menus, cars come in different colours, many people want to live in the city and many others want to live by the sea…

Whatever it is you want from your life, it doesn’t matter.

The only thing that does matter, is being true to yourself and doing what it is you really want to do.  It’s about being strong enough to acknowledge it if the vision you see for yourself diverts from what is often perceived as the mainstream, and not baying into any pressure – even from the most well intended of people – who think they can tell you how to ‘better’ your life… to ‘better’ your career… to ‘better’ your love-life.

Don’t get me wrong, there is value within any advice – but if it seems to lead you awry from the things your heart is telling you, there’s no shame in admitting so. Work towards only the things you believe in, and never look back.

It is far less painful to dance barefoot, than in shoes that do not fit.
To graze your toes on the occasional stone is a bother much easier to overcome than the ongoing ache caused by a pair of shoes that are much too small.
Comfort is liberating.
Dance the night away…