Image via Wikipedia
After listening to Robert Ohotto’s Dialogue with Destiny radio show on When is it Appropriate to Just Give Up? I wondered about being on the hamster wheel of life. Do you chase your tail trying to ‘make‘ things happen? What’s holding you back from surrendering? Is it shame? Fear of failure? Being on the hamster wheel of life is exhausting. You may consider getting off of it before it’s too late.
A good example to know if you’re on the hamster wheel of life is to ask yourself questions. Robert used the example of someone who’s in medical school because their parents wanted them to be a doctor. There’s just one problem. The desire to be a doctor isn’t there. The only reason to be in medical school is to please the parents and make them happy. Also, it’s a sense of status.
“You mind is contaminated and can’t tell you the difference if you should be on a mountain or should not be on a mountain. It’s whirled up in cultural spells.” Robert Ohotto
What if you don’t know your life purpose or career path? Let’s face it; most adults are wounded children. They’re still hurt from their childhood and can’t get past it no matter how hard they try. Believe me, I know. I can be going a long in my life and Bam! I get knocked out of the Vortex and before I know it, I can be immersed within ‘my story’ which I thought I moved on from. It can be a vicious cycle.
How to get off the hamster wheel of life
1. Think about (feel) what your motivation is for you to be on your current path.
2. Ask, “Why am I doing this? Who am I doing this for?” Write down your answers.
3. Think about what motivated you way back when onto your path. Who are you now? What has happened between now and then?
4. Do you love and feel called to what you’re currently doing? How committed are you to what you’re doing? How committed are you to your marriage? Ask these questions and other questions and journal your answers. Be honest.
According to Robert, “Most people climb mountains because of perfectionism. They’re ashamed to give up because they’ll feel like failures, and they don’t want to be seen as failures.” I can relate to this as well. My father used to say, “If it’s not perfect, it’s not right. Do it right the first time. You won’t have to go back redo what you did.” Consciously, I know I can move past this because these weren’t my beliefs. However, when they’re lodged in your subconscious or super-conscious, it can be a challenge to delete them.
When do you give up? How do you know when it’s time to give up if your mind isn’t a reliable source? Most of you could be ‘stuck in your head’ (I can be), holding on tight to the mental connection. It’s easy to do when you live in the 21st century with internet connection! However, the answers are inside of you. If you can go to that quiet space and listen, you’ll hear the answers. You’ll be able to quickly jump off the hamster wheel of life and onto the right path for you.
Rebecca
Related articles
- Are You On a Hamster Wheel? (rochellehodder.wordpress.com)
