If you are actively pursuing a joyful life, you, like me, may be searching for answers and direction wherever you can find them. I find inspiration in other blogs, on radio shows, some TV and DVDs, workshops, the wonderful people in my life, and most of all, books.
These books, some from the field of psychology, some that are spiritual in nature, are all part of the self-help industry, which is indeed booming. In 2005, according to a Marketdata Enterprises report, the U.S. self-improvement market was worth $9.6 billion. Marketdata Enterprises expected to see an 11.4% yearly growth through 2010, to a value of $13.9 billion. This is and is not mind-boggling.
So many of us are on a quest to figure out our lives. We seek solutions to old problems; sympathy for current problems; advice for new endeavors; tips for relationships, instructions for raising children, how to eat healthy and lose weight fast, how to be more green, how to be mindful, how to exercise self-care, and how to think and grow rich, among other things.
We seek to understand something thoroughly and from different angles so we buy ten books on one subject and hope that one of them will lead us to a breakthrough. Many people don’t even read the books they buy but gain satisfaction from at least purchasing what could possibly hold the answers for them. A lucky few do read the books, internalize their findings and actually grow to become better, happier people with joyful, less-complicated lives. Others skim the books, absorb very little, and hope change will occur from reading alone. And the industry keeps on growing.
This is not meant to be a cynical post. I do believe in the self-help industry. I certainly have gained from it. I have resolved hang-ups and let go of some pretty heavy stuff thanks to some books I’ve read. And now I’m on to the really good stuff that is helping me to transcend the day-to-day and live a richer, more meaningful and authentic life. It’s really exciting.
My gripe about self-help is this: in all this seeking and discovering and reading and sharing, all too often I see that we completely forget our own wisdom and under-value the merit of our own circumstances and experiences. We all have a self-help book inside us. We all have our own wisdom to offer others. We all have lessons learned and stories to share. Sometimes all it takes for us to realize this is a little self-reflection. Sometimes, you have to force yourself to think a problem through and let a solution or some advice percolate to the surface. If you are still stuck, read that book, attend that workshop or talk to that one friend, and then slow your life down and ask yourself what you gained from the experience and marry that with what you already know to be true. Don’t underestimate your own power! Believe in yourself and the gifts you bring to the world, to others, and to your own consciousness. Create your own reality! Believe in the wisdom of You!
Let your life speak. Let the loftiest truths and values guide you. Live up to those demanding standards in everything you do.” –Old Quaker Saying
Each moment in time we have it all, even when we think we don’t.” –Melodie Beattie
Deep within man dwell slumbering powers; powers that would astonish him, that he never dreamed of possessing; forces that would revolutionize his life if aroused and put into action.” –Orison Swett Marden
I couldn’t agree more! In the past three months, I’ve moved away from seeking answers in others to trusting my inner wisdom. I used to turn to outsiders to validate what I already felt was true, but not so much anymore.
We all have a piece of the divine within us, which means “all-knowing.” (Or at least that’s how I like to think about it!) What’s more, we’re all students and teachers at the same time, in all situations. There’s something really glorious about that to me.
Enjoy your day!
Hi Jodi,
What jumps out at me here is the idea of slowing our lives down. It sometimes seems like we have too many places to go, too many deadlines to meet, to many…(fill in the blank) – and not enough time. After a recent vacation – I have come to believe even more fully in this whole idea of slowing down. While on vacation, and completely unplanned, I found myself on several evenings (or early mornings), outside enjoying the sun on the horizon. Or the moon high in the sky. And I found myself out there after the rest of my family had went to bed. I had slowed down and was just “being”. And during these times, my head began to fill with questions (of which I still don’t have all the answers). What a wonderfully connecting time for me – as I listened, really listened to what my soul was saying. And while I still haven’t answered everything that came up – it all has had me really thinking about what deeply matters. And getting to this place, it has been a complete joy.
Jodi, this is a wonderful post. It IS within us – so much wisdom. We just don’t sometimes take the time to “see” it. When we do, though, it is a powerful example of our true selves being revealed – in pretty amazing ways!
I agree completely. There’s a quote from Thoreau that I’ve always loved: “If one advances confidently in the direction of one’s dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Your first sentence reminded me of that quote. I like your take on self-help as well. Thanks for the great blog.
Megan, I love what you wrote about all of us having “a piece of the divine within us, which means ‘all-knowing.’” Very eloquent! Thank you for coming by today!!
Lance, Thank you so much for stopping by today and for your very thoughtful comment. I agree with you, we all need to take more time to just “be” and the time you gave yourself on your vacation sounds wonderful. No wonder you came up with that great post about sunsets in nature and in you. The ultimate challenge, for all of us, is to stop and smell the roses, or appreciate the sunset or the big wide moon in the sky, every day!
Ben, Thank you for your comment today! I’m writing that Thoreau quote down, it’s a good one!
Hi Jodi,
“All answers lie within” is a basic tennant of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. What I glean from the personal development industry is just another way to hear the message – which is why I love your blog (and JoyGirls and Dani’s!)
There’s this great quote from James Joyce – “the longest way round is the shortest way home…” sometimes, we need those books to learn how to listen for the answer
Hi Peggy! This quote from James Joyce is very fitting. Thank you so much for sharing it here!
[...] wrote earlier in the week about all of us having our own inner wisdom, and how beautiful that is. This is your chance to show your stuff! You may surprise yourself! You [...]
Jodi,
How nice to find your blog. I absolutely agree with this one. Wouldn’t it be great if we stopped dashing around, stopped buying books, even attending seminars for a while and simply sat with ourselves. Oh, what wisdom we’d find lurking there. That is why I believe 20 minutes of silence can change your life.
I’m bookmarking your blog and will return. Lovely energy here. We’re traveling deeper into Joy over at my blog. You are welcome to stop by. Joy to you!
Hi Jan, Thank you so much for stopping by! 20 minutes of silence everyday could definitely be life changing, can you imagine how peaceful and content we ALL could be if everyone did that? I am excited to check out your site. Thank you again for reading mine!