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Are You Living a Buried Life?

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April 16, 2010
	Jody England : Head Empowerment Ego

Are you living the life you’ve always dreamed of living? Or do you feel like you are living the “just for now” version of your life where you do all the things you are “suppose to” do but don’t really want to?

If you are like most people you may feel trapped in suspended animation going through the motions of caring for your family, doing what you need to do at work, managing your household, and just trying to get by. You keep thinking that someday you will really live YOUR life. You’ll take that trip you’ve been dreaming about, have lunches with your friends, take a nap in the middle of the day, or finally cross some of those things off your bucket list…

But then someday never comes, does it?

But often, in the world’s most crowded streets,
But often, in the din of strife,
There rises an unspeakable desire
After the knowledge of our buried life;
A thirst to spend our fire and restless force
In tracking out our true, original course;
A longing to inquire
Into the mystery of this heart which beats
So wild, so deep in us–to know
Whence our lives come and where they go.
(an excerpt from The Buried Life by Matthew Arnold)

In my coaching practice, we put a lot of focus on helping people begin living their someday lives now – stepping out of the story that there is any good reason to put off living a life full of joy, adventure, and meaning.

The other day, Oprah had on the cast from a show called, The Buried Life. If you haven’t seen it, there are four 20 something boys who go around the country experiencing things on their list of stuff they’ve always wanted to do.

Along the way, they find regular people and encourage them to do something they’ve always wanted to do before they die.

So far, the boys have accomplished things like shooting hoops with the President, helping deliver a baby, asking out the girl of their dreams, and attending a party at the Playboy Mansion. They’ve also helped people along the way do things like: conquer a fear of heights by going to the top of the Sears Tower with her, helping a girl visit her mother’s grave for the first time, and encouraging a dad to get in touch with the son he hasn’t spoken to in 17 years.

Now, you may be thinking, “That’s all well and good, but what does it have to do with me? Of course, if I was only twenty and had no family, career, or responsibilities, it would be EASY to do all of those things!”

Well my friends, this is your wake up call to action.

Anyone, I repeat, ANYONE can create the life they want at any time. It is simply a DECISION you make to not have it any other way.

Believe me, I used to be locked up the same way you are right now. I didn’t see any way I could wear pajamas to work, make a ton of money only working a few hours per week, or visit exotic locations while someone else paid the bill. Yet, those are just a few of the things on my someday life list that I’ve already experienced.