Discovering New Pathways

Last year I became a chicken farmer. I bought 8 day old chicks and raised them up to laying hens which we now enjoy immensely with their comic demeanor and of course fresh farm eggs. So, as I tend to do when I find something I enjoy, I went all in and ordered new chicks for this year, all in more rare and beautiful breeds. In order to decrease stress by having them sent to me through the post office, I decided to drive an hour to pick them up. Although I hadn’t been to this town before it was near the route I used to drive when I was in college so I had a pretty good idea of where I was going. So, like any good modern person in our society, I typed the address into my iPhone and went on my way. About 25 minutes in, my phone had me take a turn and proceed to an alternate route than what I had planned on in my mind.

As I drove down backroads past beautiful, shady pecan orchards and the green rolling hills of east central Texas, I started thinking about what I was experiencing in that moment. It was exciting to be on a road that I had never travelled. It was filled with possibility but also a little bit of fear. What if I had car trouble and no phone service on these quiet roads? But, of course the excitement of forging a new path pushed me forward through the fear of “what ifs”.

So many of us live life on autopilot. We let the grooves in the record of our life become deeper and deeper while we yearn for more. We question, “was I meant for something greater?”. We say, I’ll write that book later when I have more time or if I could just lose weight I would be happy- yet you never make a lifestyle change that will allow the transformation to happen. Stepping outside the comfort zone is scary and for some the fear of the unknown keeps them planted firmly where they are, even when their soul is calling out for more.

One of the most profound sayings I have ever heard is “Don’t die with the music still inside you”. I believe we are all here for some divine purpose yet many of us still slumber in the routines of our human existence. It’s time to awaken to who you truly are - a divine being of ultimate love here to express that love to yourself and others and it starts by listening to that wise inner voice. It’s the voice of intuition that calls you to your greatest purpose but most of us have blinders on, not understanding that we have all the answers inside of us if only we learn how to listen.

I encourage you to listen to that inner voice. It may say something like, “maybe I should try an art class” or “I wonder what is down that path.” It is ok to feel some fear but I encourage you to take a leap- you may find something truly extraordinary on the other side.

If this is too new agey for you, there is an entire area of study called “neuroplasticity” that studies the ability of the brain to change throughout a persons life by creating new neural pathways. By the age of 25 most pathways are set and so creating new ones can come along with some sense of fear and discomfort. Fear of the unknowns, fear of the “what if’s”. But remember, growth only occurs outside of your comfort zone! By creating new neural pathways you will keep your brain young and fit! So, take that class, go explore a new part of your city or take a different route to work.

Let the excitement of forging a new path push you forward through the fear of “what if’s”.

I invite you to Awaken to your divine nature. You are love, you are loved and you are always enough.

Jenna