Vered’s Blog

We’ve just finished our first weekend in a year’s program called The Life-Skills University.
The major part of this weekend was to set goals for the coming years and create a direction in life that would lead to living happily and successfully.

As I was watching the people go through the process I’ve noticed that the younger ones (ages 19-25) were struggling the most when it came to setting goals in the areas of career and job.
It might sound logic but for me it was a surprise. I would have expected that people that are young would still remember their dreams and would try to go for it. I was expecting that the younger generation would be more open and daring to follow their heart and fulfill their dreams and find a job that they love and not just to pay the bills.

As a child, I remember my father, sitting in his room, surrounded by his books, writing.
His work was his love. Later in his life, when most people have retired, he was up early in the morning, busy with his work. It gave him, both a meaning to life and kept him young.

My mother never liked her teaching job, although she was very successful. She retired early and kept searching for satisfaction, without success. She became bitter and sad.

Until today I cherish the lesson I learned from them:
“Find a job that is your hobby, your art.”

As children we all wanted to be somebody. A fireman, a pilot, an artist.
As we grew up, we realized that our job must also pay our financial and social bills.
So we sold our passion and love for stability and security.
We rationalize by saying that ‘work is work’, and pleasure will come later.
But does it?
When was the last time you found the time and energy to do the things that you really care for?

What if your work could follow your heart’s desire? What if you could really do what you love to do?
Finding it might be difficult, as we have lost touch with what we enjoy most.
It has been too long since we have given ourselves the chance to connect to it.

So, how about taking some time off and instead of complaining about your job, start searching what it is that you love doing.
Find out what is it that you are good at, where your talents lie and what comes both naturally and easily to you.
Recall childhood activities that you once loved.
Become aware of the situations that bring out the best in you.
Discover what values are important to you and what you would like to see manifested in your work.

When you do the work you love, it becomes easy and effortless, because work becomes a source of energy rather than a drain. You continuously grow and develop while creating for yourself a space of love and friendship. You tap into your creativity therefore remaining young and alive.

So how about making your hobby your work?!