As for moving, if you are living in your hometown, I would definately consider it. Otherwise, geography has no bearing.

Even Jesus said “no man is a prophet in his hometown.” The lesson is this- too many others may find it hard to believe that you can do what you (are going to) do and, your friends and family (same people) do not appreciate others changing their relationship contract with them. They’d just as soon keep you the way you are. That’s how they love you.

As for how it’s done, (finding your love) you already know what they are, you have to re-discover them somehow. This takes courage, self-reflection and obviously time.

As I stated in my previous comments, “I sat down at a table and waited, became quiet, still….it took several months.”

But the answers eventually came regarding what I loved. You also have to give yourself a break here. This precious understanding does not come quickly or cheap for, when you have it back, you will know it is yours to command.

When you were a kid, you discovered something about this world that you liked. That is it. That’s the thing. The gift. You will know it in every fiber of your being when you rediscover it. It was something you understood, you were drawn to, thus the passion comes back in. You will know the gift wasn’t meant for you but, for you to give to others. To us.

Start writing. Read everything. This will help lead you to it. I am a Joseph Campbell fan. “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” is a great place to take the leap from. You will be reading about the hero’s journey and, you will also be on it.

After the rediscovery, it is as if you are rising from the ashes, greeting your true self like a long lost lover, after a long and costly war. (attributed to Robert Bly, from his book “Iron John.”)

Read this too. Read everything worthwhile. In one year give me a report on your status. Godspeed.

Mike Johnston wrote a great essay – he mentioned “journal and began to write everything that was important to me. I began to read voraciously. Soon, I new exactly where I was ( I had clawed my way to the middle) and just what I was meant to do.” Can you dig into this process a bit? Perhaps ask our readers for stories. I want to hear from a few people have succeeded at the quest, as well as those who haven’t yet.

A specific question: if you haven’t found what you love doing for a living, does moving help? my intuition says it does.

One last post before the weekend. I will be travelling Sunday and will most likely be busy all day on…

Jessica Duquette of itsnotaboutyourstuff.com told me about your blog today and after reading this post, I can see why.

I, too, believe that we are each born with a job to do and the tools to do it. Knowing who we are and what we are meant to do allows us to focus our energy and push us forward.

Yes, it is “elusive” discovering our life purpose or life signature but we can get there with the help of a guide(s). Books like “Now, Discover Your Strengths” provide some of the tools for understanding our innate signature talents. Self assessments take a picture of us from different angles so we can become aware the whole person that lives within us.

It is sad that most people don’t change and spend their life in their comfortable and predictable cubicle. But those that seek their life signature to live a life of passion understand that life is limited and definately not a dress rehearsal.

I became an artist…oil painter. Through five years of wagging the brush, I discovered my true, original self. One day, I sat down at table and just did nothing. Got real quiet. Then…the world unfolded at my feet. This took several months.

I bought a little moleskin journal and began to write everything that was important to me. I began to read voraciously. Soon, I new exactly where I was ( I had clawed my way to the middle) and just what I was meant to do.

While living out on the margins, I took two years to study the industry I was born to command some space in, uncontested.

The writing began with a personal manifesto, what I would do, what I would not ever do.

Here are some examples:

I do not want a local business (been there, done that)

I do not want a family business (been there, done that )

I will never use a resume again.

I will never pursue a job again.

I will never take a personality test again.

Through my passions and beliefs, I will lead my life into the sovereign state it was meant to be.

I also wrote everything I learned from reading business books, etc. I went back to my university and studies four years of curriculum in one year, unaccredited.

Suffice to say, the writing became a business plan. I gave myself plenty of time to be thorough and cautious. Today, I am days from primary beta launch and just as happy, busy, scared and excited as I could be. Just what I wanted. No more idleness and, absorbed by what I love, what I command, what I am unwilling to consider the word “no” over. Life is now that fantastic journey I always dreamed it was and, I percieve myself as on top. There is nothing left to do but keep learning everyday and, have fun doing it.

Here is the most precious advice I can share: ( borrowed from Ray Bradbury while giving a speach at the LA Book Fest last year)

1. Fall in love.
2. Stay in love.
3. Declare your love.
4. Don’t let anyone talk to you about your loves.
5. If your friends don’t love your for your loves, get new friends.

and finally he said: “Jump of of the mountain and build your wings on the way down.”

Lastly, I can say that; re-inventing oneself is a full-time job. It is the best job I have ever had.

A few words of comfort for those who are struggling to find a job, a place: the reason you are rejected or ignored out there in the corporate world is because you simply are not the highly trained dog they are looking for. So, stop trying to be one. You were meant to be a master of something of your own creation. Go do it. Give up the mortgage if need be. Someone once said that “every overnight sucess is 15 years in the making.” Give your self those 15 years. You may just do it in ten! Remember that most successful businesses are started by people in their fifties and sixties. Heck, I am 49. My best is still way out in front of me.

I am now looking for talented, creative people to give the reigns of my business over to, and run it as they see fit, while I dream of the next phase of enerprise. This, is life… perfectly lived.

From one revolutionary to the other, Viva! Feel free to write.