But I Might Die Tonight

I refuse to live life by consensus. 

If people question the freedom I have afforded  myself, if they resent that I live life by my own rules instead of living up (or down) to societal expectations, if they wonder how I can follow my dreams, instead of following the footsteps of others, I hum softly to myself:

I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life.  Go ahead with your own life and leave me alone.  {{Billy Joel rocks!}} 

If you are not living the life of your dreams . . . what’s stopping you?

For many people, it’s fear (and/or its second cousin, guilt).  People are afraid to do what they want to do because: (a) they might anger friends and family; (b) they might fall flat on their face; or (c) they don’t feel empowered to make decisions for themselves.   

If fear is holding you back, maybe you need a new mantra:

* Freedom lies in being bold.  ~ Robert Frost

* Nothing ventured, something lost. ~ Neale Clapp

* The greatest mistake we can make is to be continually fearing that we will make one.  ~ Elbert Hubbard

* Do one thing every day that scares you.  ~ Unknown

* There’s as much risk in doing nothing as in doing something. ~ Trammell Crow

* Feel the fear and do it anyway.  ~ Susan Jeffers

For others, it’s guilt that keeps them from soaring.  They feel guilty about putting  themselves first, even occasionally.  They’ve been conditioned to believe that others should have a vote in how they live their life.  

If it’s guilt holding you back, perhaps one of these mantras will inspire you:

* This is my life.  I’m not going to have this moment again. ~ Bernie Siegel   

* We don’t have an eternity to realize our dreams, only the time we are here. ~ Susan King Taylor

* Chained by their attitude, they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom.  Only a person who risks is free. ~ Unknown

* You must take your chance.  ~ William Shakespeare

* There are only so many tomorrows.   ~ Michael Landon

* We might as well live.  ~ Dorothy Parker

Once we cast off the invisible constraints of fear and guilt,  we reclaim our freedom to dive into our dreams and pursue our purpose with passion!

Finally, after a bit of trial and error, I got it right.  I moved step by step in the direction of my dreams, ignoring the fear and guilt which tugged on my sleeve and attempted to tether me to the ground.  

As a result, I’m living where I want to live, I’m doing what I want to do, and I make no apologies (and feel no guilt) for pursuing my dreams because, in the words of Cat Stevens . . .  I Might Die Tonight.    

And, here’s the kicker, so might you.

Quote:  Why do we put off living the way we want to live, as if we have all the time in the world?  ~ Barbara de Angelis

No rules.  Just write!