I received an email the other day from someone who was asking me to justify the sanity of leaving a secure, well-paying job to follow one’s heart. I can certainly understand the question because it is one that stayed lodged in my head for a long time. Yet now that it has been two years since I made such a leap, I find myself completely on the other side of the fence. I ask how one can justify denying one’s heart for the sake of money.
Following one’s heart is not a frivilous desire or act. It’s actually quite the opposite. It’s an owning up to be responsible to your spirit to live the life it wishes to express. It’s a following through on the will that was placed within you when you were created. You can choose to deny this God-given purpose as long as you want. Yet your denial of it doesn’t make it go away. It just means that you’ve chosen not to let your soul come alive.
Let me ask you this. Do you really want to make your life all about the money?
Digging for Meaning 
I’m at that crossing point, or my road to transformation. Do I want to make my life all about money? Well, the funny thing is being a single mom and having to take care of a child – you “think” job – do I feel it is security, not at all, but I have to do what I need to do right now…yet, I want to step off and take that leap, but “fear” stands in the way. I have to truly trust that I can trust myself, I think that is the key. I want to give back to others and do what I know I need to do to fulfill my purpose, it’s taking that leap that is scary, risky, and where does the money come from…since lately it has not been falling from the sky. But I feel within myself that my soul/spirit is telling me to do it – like Nike says “Just Do It” – and my logical mind is saying, “are you crazy”…
How did you just take that leap? Did you have a large savings account to fall back on? what if you are a single mom and don’t have that bank account? how do you do what is right for the soul, and yet still have a roof and food on the table for you kid? Any suggestions…I welcome the advice…
Melina
Melina,
You ask a tremendous question. I did have a savings account to fall back on and the only person I had to account for was myself. I took my leap in gradual steps, which I think is a great way to transition. The steps I took were in getting the credentials I needed to do my true life’s work while I was still employed full-time in my corporate job. Then I cut back to working four days a week so that I could use Fridays and the weekend to start developing my new career. I started writing my book and promoting my wedding officiant services. Then I quit my corporate job so that almost immediately I had income coming in. Granted, I wasn’t making nearly the amount I had been before; yet starting a new career often involves starting from scratch.
Doing what is right for the soul doesn’t have to be an overnight thing. As your logical mind is telling you, you do need to be sure that your family is taken care of financially and oftentimes your soul’s work needs some practical preparation. You didn’t mention what you believe your calling is or how far along you are in preparing yourself to do the work. My advice is to do whatever you can to prepare where you are now and explore different ways that you can fulfill your purpose that can provide you with income. It doesn’t have to be just one thing. For example, I generate income from workshops, coaching, book sales, writing and officiating weddings. Try to look at your purpose in that way. Trust yourself, but also have a plan.
I hope that helps. Feel free to email me if you want to communicate more privately.
All my best,
Susan
susan@sanctuaryforchange.com