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Finding Your Next Step

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DAILY OM

The Most Fulfilling Road
Finding Your Next Step in Life

Our lives are made up of a complex network of pathways that we can use to move from one phase of life to the next. For some of us, our paths are wide, smooth, and clearly marked. Many people, however, find that they have a difficult time figuring out where they need to go next. Determining which “next step” will land you on the most direct route to fulfillment and the realization of your life purpose may not seem easy.

There are many ways to discover what the next step on your life path should be. If you are someone who seeks to satisfy your soul, it is vital that you make this inquiry. Often, your inner voice will counsel you that it’s time for a change, and it is very important to trust yourself because only you know what is best for you. Personal growth always results when you let yourself expand beyond the farthest borders of what your life has been so far. When figuring out what your next step will be, you may want to review your life experiences. The choices you’ve made and the dreams you’ve held onto can give you an idea of what you don’t want to do anymore and what you might like to do next. It is also a good idea to think about creative ways you can use your skills and satisfy your passions. Visualizing your perfect future and making a list of ways to manifest that future can help you choose a logical next step that’s in harmony with your desires. Meditation, journal writing, ta! king a class, and other creative activities may inspire you and provide insight regarding the next step in life that will bring you the most satisfaction.

It is when you are willing to listen to yourself and be fearless that figuring out your next step becomes easy. Beneath the fear and hesitation and uncertainty lies your inner knowing that always knows which step you need to take next. If you can allow the taking of your next step to be as easy as putting one foot in front of the next, you’ll notice that your next step is always the one that is right in front of you. All you have to do is put one foot forward and on the ground.

What do you think?

Wasn't sure whether this was appropriate to post, but realized that it described me in early recovery and the learning process I went through learning to trust myself through the God of my understanding.

This is not AA approved literature, but it carried a message to me.

I had to learn that if I didn't know, it was okay. I had to learn to go within and find the answers that were right for me. Not what someone else told me I should do or think, but what was right for me. I had to learn to not discount myself although all my life I was told my opinions didn't matter; that who was I to know; what made me think someone else wanted to hear what I had to say.

My spiritual adviser told me that if I didn't know the time wasn't right and that when it was, I would be given my own knowingness.

My sponsor told me if I didn't trust myself, I was not trusting the God of my understanding. When I turn my day over to my Higher Power then the way will be made clear to me. I will be given the words, the directions, the thoughts, the actions I needed to live in today.

Some days, it seems I need all 12 Steps to get through. As a woman shared one time, I had to learn to learn and practice the Traditions so I could live long enough to work the Steps. I still apply them daily.

I often had to pray for the willingness to be willing to work the Step in today. Other times, I had to pray for the willingness to be willing to move on to the next one.

Thanks for letting me share.

Thanks for sharing! I'm finding that not all literature helpful to recovery is necessarily AA approved.

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The choices you've made and the dreams you've held onto can give you an idea of what you don’t want to do anymore and what you might like to do next.

As much as I dragged my feet deciding to get a smartphone, I'm so glad I did because I now have instant access to the online journal I've kept for the last decade, which has been a particularly helpful tool to combat my 'built-in forgetter'. I also have quick access to my written first step in case I start to forget that I am a real alcoholic.

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I often had to pray for the willingness to be willing to work the Step in today. Other times, I had to pray for the willingness to be willing to move on to the next one.

Good reminder. I suspect this is something I need to work on when the thought comes to me to talk to god.

Was told by my sponsor, if I got to a place where everything was just fine and I got comfortable with the space I was in, then it was time to move on, take that next step.

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