Making a Living vs. Making a Life (Blog)

[Erin Pavlina]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Erin Pavlina's blog:

Making a Living vs. Making a Life

[munish]

Where is your soul when you’re working? -Erin Pavlina.

[Mew3692002]

You know, you're right Erin. I had this problem before in another spiritual site that I asked about on their forums. Unfortunately, they do not believe in living your life and making a living as well. I love the way I think!

[rubelin]

and yet again, you write a blog entry that speaks to the exact thing I have been working on. It's getting a little creepy

My question is how do you proceed when you know exactly what it is that you need to be doing with your life but your financial situation is too tenuous to jump into it??

I am recently single with 2 kids to care for (and drive to & from school and cook for, etc, etc, and so on ), and, though I get some child support, it's not enough to support our household. I have been slowly working at my dream "career" (for lack of a better word, maybe "calling" is more apropos) for many years but I haven't figured out how to have it be enough to live on. I have been writing intentions but I think I am too scared to really believe it's possible, especially right now when I have no safety net and no room for a lot of patience or for failure.

Yet, the thought of giving up on that passion and sticking my kids in daycare so that I can get an office job (even one in my field) in order to "make a living" makes me weep hysterically.

I know what I want to do, what my spirit needs to do; I can picture it, feel it, I've done it in bits and pieces my whole life, but how do I make it happen fully in the way I need to support myself and my kids?

[munish]

Originally Posted by rubelin

and yet again, you write a blog entry that speaks to the exact thing I have been working on. It's getting a little creepy

My question is how do you proceed when you know exactly what it is that you need to be doing with your life but your financial situation is too tenuous to jump into it??

I am recently single with 2 kids to care for (and drive to & from school and cook for, etc, etc, and so on ), and, though I get some child support, it's not enough to support our household. I have been slowly working at my dream "career" (for lack of a better word, maybe "calling" is more apropos) for many years but I haven't figured out how to have it be enough to live on. I have been writing intentions but I think I am too scared to really believe it's possible, especially right now when I have no safety net and no room for a lot of patience or for failure.

Yet, the thought of giving up on that passion and sticking my kids in daycare so that I can get an office job (even one in my field) in order to "make a living" makes me weep hysterically.

I know what I want to do, what my spirit needs to do; I can picture it, feel it, I've done it in bits and pieces my whole life, but how do I make it happen fully in the way I need to support myself and my kids?

Polarize yourself.

[Erin Pavlina]

Become a vibrational match for your intention and watch for opportunities to develop. Polarizing would probably help too. Be open to the way in which the universe wants to bring you to your goal. it could even involve falling in love with someone who is wealthy (just as an example). There are many ways to achieve a goal. Watch for all of them. It may also be a timing issue. Once your kids are in school during the day it might be much easier for you to segue into your chosen career field.

[torilink]

Originally Posted by rubelin

and yet again, you write a blog entry that speaks to the exact thing I have been working on. It's getting a little creepy

My question is how do you proceed when you know exactly what it is that you need to be doing with your life but your financial situation is too tenuous to jump into it??

I am recently single with 2 kids to care for (and drive to & from school and cook for, etc, etc, and so on ), and, though I get some child support, it's not enough to support our household. I have been slowly working at my dream "career" (for lack of a better word, maybe "calling" is more apropos) for many years but I haven't figured out how to have it be enough to live on. I have been writing intentions but I think I am too scared to really believe it's possible, especially right now when I have no safety net and no room for a lot of patience or for failure.

Yet, the thought of giving up on that passion and sticking my kids in daycare so that I can get an office job (even one in my field) in order to "make a living" makes me weep hysterically.

I know what I want to do, what my spirit needs to do; I can picture it, feel it, I've done it in bits and pieces my whole life, but how do I make it happen fully in the way I need to support myself and my kids?

The how is not your problem. The goal is.

Keep your desired goal in mind, hold an expectation that it will be. When all these "Problems" and worries come to mind, simply tell yourself - "There has to be a way". What that way is exactly isn't for you to worry about, just hold to your intention, see yourself in that place you desire to be and the path will be made for you.

[Luca]

thanks for the article. it really spoke to me. i work in finance and live in a cubicle and i feel my spirit is dying. yes, i can do it but i don't feel i am living up to my potential. i used to want to be a actress but i gave that dream up because i was new in this country i had horrible teeth. also it's hard to make it in the entertainment industry and hardship is not my thing. now i'm 29 and wonder if i may be made a mistake. i have such a restless, creative spirit and jovial personality that doesn't find the best expression sitting at the desk in front of the computer. i don;t know what to do!!!! honestly, not sure what sort of help anyone can give as these issues can only be sorted out on your own, but i thought i would share.

[kenakari]

Is it easier or more difficult to make a life rather than a living in a society that has a safety net for those who are unemployed? There really isn't a comprehensive welfare system where I live, and the biggest fear I have to face is being unable to provide for my family. That's why I went back to work.

I'm trying to move away from the fear-based mentality, to get enjoyment out of my job, but my negative self-talk is so ingrained that I don't even realize I'm doing it until my husband points it out.

Another question: How do I get past the big blank I'm drawing when I try to find out what I should and must do? Did anyone else have that problem?

[rubelin]

Originally Posted by kenakari

Is it easier or more difficult to make a life rather than a living in a society that has a safety net for those who are unemployed? There really isn't a comprehensive welfare system where I live, and the biggest fear I have to face is being unable to provide for my family. That's why I went back to work.

I did some reading on Polarity yesterday (Steve has a several articles on his blog) and realized that the fear I have about not being able to support my family is really messing with my intentions to create the life I want. I usually have great success at manifesting my intentions but I've had a huge block around money and I think it's because I have such fear that it won't work out and the dire consequences of that.

I'm not quite sure what to do about it but I guess knowing it is the first step.

[Erin Pavlina]

See but when you answer the "what must I do" it has to satisfy your living needs. So if you find something you love, that you can do, and that you feel you should do but it won't make you enough money to take care of yourself and your loved ones, then you have to alter it or keep looking until it satisfies ALL four areas.

Take the "starving artist" for example. Doing something he can do and loves to do but it doesn't satisfy the "must" requirement.

Or take the high end defense lawyer representing people he knows is guilty. He's doing what he can do (he's a talented lawyer), what he must (he makes good money), and maybe even what loves to do (loves the work) but perhaps he's not doing what he should do (feels slimy at the end of the day).

You gotta find something that fits all four.

[Savage]

To satisfy the "must do" area when the other 3 are aligned, you need a way to deliver that value to enough people.

For example, I may be able to write well enough, and I may enjoy it and feel fulfilled doing it. But that alone won't pay the bills. I need a way to share it with others in a way that they receive value from it.

This takes time and patience, but a great way to start out is to provide that value for free initially. This will build your skill and also some referrals (who doesn't appreciate free?), and it's only a matter of time before it becomes income generating.

[munish]

Originally Posted by rubelin

I did some reading on Polarity yesterday (Steve has a several articles on his blog) and realized that the fear I have about not being able to support my family is really messing with my intentions to create the life I want. I usually have great success at manifesting my intentions but I've had a huge block around money and I think it's because I have such fear that it won't work out and the dire consequences of that.

I'm not quite sure what to do about it but I guess knowing it is the first step.

As for financial security, that’s never been a problem for me, but I’m the kind of person who has an extremely high risk tolerance and could feel perfectly secure living on a park bench. I’ve never been afraid of going broke. My wife doesn’t seem to share this point of view, however.Steve Pavlina


http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/200...ar-experiment/

[munish]

Originally Posted by rubelin

the fear I have about not being able to support my family is really messing with my intentions to create the life I want. I usually have great success at manifesting my intentions but I've had a huge block around money and I think it's because I have such fear that it won't work out and the dire consequences of that.

I'm not quite sure what to do about it but I guess knowing it is the first step.

Your life is too precious to waste working only for money or for a purpose that doesn’t inspire you. No one can hold you back from making this decision but you. Especially don’t hide behind your family’s needs.
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/200...s-your-career/

[Tina Rowley]

Hi, all (& Hi Erin!):

I just had a reading yesterday with Erin - fantastic, anyone who's thinking about getting one should go for it - and it was totally pivotal with regards to plunking me down onto the path of making a living that's a life.

I have a blog that I've been writing for the past two and a half years, just for my own great pleasure and enjoyment. I'd never seriously considered it as an avenue to earn a living. I mean, it was just too fun! Too much freedom, too great an artistic outlet, too lighthearted an endeavor.

But Erin - after informing me that an enormous pile of guides were demanding that I get pregnant again without fail - asked if I ever wrote anything funny, and I said that I did. My blog. And she said, essentially, there you go. That's it. Write as though you were writing for a million people. Write about parenting and make it funny. And this will matter for people.

What a surprise, what a joy, and how out-of-left-field!

And when I break it down:

What do you WANT to do: I want to be creative. I want to write, design, act, make art. I want to make people happy, touch them, make them laugh and think and feel.
What CAN you do: I can write. I can act. I can make people laugh. I can empathize with people. I can make visual art and use color well. I have an innate understanding of comedy, and I have comedy-making experience. I'm open, an open book.
What SHOULD you do: I should uplift people, make their lives easier and lighter and more delightful. I should do what comes easily, what melts like butter in my hand. I should be happy, and add my happy energy to the planet's energies. I should live in harmony with the pull of my heart, to add to the groundswell of others doing likewise.
What MUST you do: I must be absolutely true to myself. I must eschew conforming to other's ideas of success or seriousness. I must follow my intuition and do what makes me breathe more easily. I must use the basket of pleasurable talents I came down here with. Also, apparently I must have another child.

And there you go. Making my blog snuggles up to all four categories. I can do basically anything with it I like. Writing, visual art - with podcasts and videos, I could even perform if I wanted. I'm my own boss. And I can work at home and be with my children.

It's remarkable that this was sitting under my nose this whole time. I'm delighted that Erin pointed it out to me. And it feels strange and humming and great to be suddenly on purpose like this.

Thanks, Erin! And good luck, everyone, living out your purposes with joy!

Also...SAY. What, uh, what are you doing right now? Oh, just browsing these forums? Mmm. Hey...you could...stop by my blog if you wanted to! You know, if you're free or whatever. I totally wouldn't mind.

It's The Gallivanting Monkey. It's a personal blog, with a newly-minted focus on parenting, but it has and will always have any other kind of funny or charming content I declare bloggable.

I just totally wouldn't mind at all,
Tina Rowley

P.S. I'd actually sort of be into it.
P.P.S. I'd have been a clown, right, not to mention it? The wrong kind of clown.