Question:
I’m 48 and in a dead end job. I know I should be grateful to have a well-paying job today, but I can’t change if I keep saying I’m grateful because the universe hears you say that and I will be stuck forever in my job that is absolutely boring and dead-end. I feel too that I don’t know what to do with my life. I cry often because I meditate and never get any answers and say well God is busy with more pressing issues, okay, I don’t want to be selfish, but I don’t want to just exist in this world. I just can’t figure it out. Just writing this, tears are falling.
Answer:
Even though you are going through a period of inertia and emotional confusion, don’t think that gratitude will prevent you from moving forward. Just the opposite is the case. It is resentment and bitterness about one’s circumstances that perpetuates the pattern.
Change must start from an appreciation of the present , it doesn’t happen so easily if one is consumed with despair , insignificance, and the seeming injustice of one’s situation. Gratitude brings your attention to what is real in present time, and from there you allow for something better to come into your life.
Love,
Deepak
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Time Magazine heralded Deepak Chopra as one of the 100 heroes and icons of the century, and credited him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine." Entertainment Weekly described Deepak Chopra as "Hollywood's man of the moment, one of publishing's best-selling and most prolific self-help authors." He is the author of more than 50 books and more than 100 audio, video and CD-Rom titles. He has been published on every continent and in dozens of languages. Fifteen of his books have landed on the New York Times Best-seller list. Toastmaster International recognized him as one of the top five outstanding speakers in the world. Through his over two decades of work since leaving his medical practice, Deepak continues to revolutionize common wisdom about the crucial connection between body, mind, spirit, and healing. His mission of "bridging the technological miracles of the west with the wisdom of the east" remains his thrust and provides the basis for his recognition as one of India's historically greatest ambassadors to the west. Chopra has been a keynote speaker at several academic institutions including Harvard Medical School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Divinity School, Kellogg School of Management, Stanford Business School and Wharton.His latest book is
"Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul."
I can completely understand the confusion. I also give gratitude daily, and many times a day for the glorious blessings in my life. However, how does one perpetuate positive change. When I say my daily affirmations and express my desires to the universe, is it correct to say "I want", or I am moving forward to achieve" or what is the directive? My confusion besides the correctness of the phrase, is the feelings of selfishness when I know that I am already blessed. We are presently in the situation of selling our home, and have two homes that are on the top of our list to purchase. We have not accepted a firm offer on our own house and are already so excited for either of these new homes that we have planned the placement of furniture etc. What is the correct way of bringing our desires to actuality without giving the impression of being selfish? Is moving on to better selfish?! Arrgh! So confused!!
Although in our situation, I do not feel that we "just exist", and that is not our reason for moving on. We share a home with our daughter, son-in-law and 4 grandchildren and it is just time for all of us to go our own ways! I just get impatient with the process and sometimes both my husband and I become consumed with the possibilities of the outcome!
Angel
I come from a working-class backround, in which we lived paycheck-to-paycheck. We were lucky–compared to two-thirds of the world's population–to have a roof over our heads and food to eat. I've never forgotten it–even when my ex-wife and I made it to the corporate world and were more than comfortable. Now, due to numerous bouts with cancer, I'm back to the working class. I still have a roof over my head and enough to eat. My daily practice of meditation has allowed me to contend with life's slings and arrows and realize I've been extraordinarily blessed. In the final analysis, does it matter if you drive a Subaru or a Mercedes-Benz?
Is there anything I am holding onto or need to let go? Ask this question daily and let go without using a rational process to find an answer. Anticipate the answer in terms of events or insights. My answer is indirect and may not seem to be relevant to your question. Please give it a try every time you find yourself stuck and desperately seeking change.