Today Could Be Your Independence Day!
Five years ago today I walked away from a career in law that I knew unequivocally was not for me. From the moment I started playing music in my early 20’s, I knew deep down inside that I had found something special – my true passion. With that, my intuition that there had to be more to life than what I had known up to that point was confirmed. On June 8th, 2007, after five years of undergraduate studies (I took my time…lol), three years of law school, one big bad BAR exam and a year working at a large corporate law firm, I knew it was my chance to make a move. The fork in the road was as clear as it gets. I could either accept the job offer, the fat pay check and embark on a career that didn’t really inspire or excite me – OR I could take a leap of faith in the direction of my dream. It wasn’t an easy decision by any means, but I knew that it was the right one, despite the resistance. And believe me there was a lot of that.
There were my parents’ concerns (some of which were definitely valid) about the challenges of establishing a sustainable career in the music business and about foregoing the coveted job opportunity that I’d worked towards for so many years. Not to mention the obvious practical considerations of all the time, money and energy that was spent (or as some would say “wasted”) getting me to that point, only to take a major left turn. And most of all, there were my own demons and doubts: my fear of failing and falling flat on my face, my fear of not being good enough and it being too late for me to change course at that stage in my life (I was 27), my fear of regretting the decision later on and not being able to get back the opportunities or time passed.
But with all that in the air, there was still that voice within urging me to jump, to take the first step and to honor my soul’s higher calling. So I did… and it was the best effin’ decision I ever made.
Today, here I am, in a very different place than I would have imagined then, but I know that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. The road to this point has been full of incredible experiences, amazing people, undeniable synchronicities and dreams come true. Yes, dreams come true (like writing for TDL). There have also been some serious challenges, bumps and bruises, tests of faith, struggles and stress, and I wouldn’t trade any of it in for anything. I have learned and grown so much on this path that I chose and that’s ultimately what it’s all about. Beyond that, I have been reminded time and time again that I’m fully and completely supported on this journey, both spiritually and materially. The only thing that ever causes me to feel otherwise is my own lack of faith.
Not today though. Today, I’m celebrating the choice I made five years ago and all the magic that has unfolded since that first step. I’m more certain than ever that I’m on the right path and I know that I got here by listening to my soul and putting one foot in front of the other, one day at a time. I also know that nothing was wasted, no opportunity lost and that the real regret would have been to go forward into a life that I knew wasn’t for me, to live for someone else’s version of success and to deny my true calling.
What about you? What is the voice within you calling you to do? Are you living the life you love or are you living life according to someone else’s version of what your life should look like?
Today, I am celebrating my independence day. This could be your day, too.
Much love,
Chris
Written for The Daily Love (June 16th, 2012)