Inhabit the Zone of Genius

Painting by Andrew MacKay

I’ve noticed a trend in messages that have been coming to me over the last couple of weeks. Little nudges coming from the universe to pay attention to certain things. And by the way, when these types of things happen to you it would be wise to really pay attention!

From a few different places I’ve been getting messages about how to live my life in a truly authentic way.

Just this morning I had another “aha” moment. In case you don’t know, I’ve been taking time away from the primary job I’ve held for many years for the past few months. It has been a time of self discovery and also of exploring what should be the focus of my life. This morning I thought that maybe the question of what I’m doing may not be the most important question, but in fact the key is how I’m doing it.

The key might just be in utilizing the underlying skills and talents that I have but that haven’t truly been harnessed yet. Specifically I’ve been searching for ways to find my voice. To have the confidence to speak up and do what I think is right, regardless of what others might think or believe.

And this, I believe is highly linked to the following two messages that have come to me recently.

The first came during a week long art workshop that I took last week lead by Jessica Serran. During one of the sessions there was mention of a book called “The Big Leap” by Gay Hendrix. In this book he discusses the concept of the “zone of genius”. I haven’t read the book (yet) but in Jessica’s words “When it all boils down, what else is there for you to do? Sure, there are things that you can do, and do quite well. There are things that you do better than most, but when it comes down to being the person you’re here to be, what else really is there for you to do?” It’s something you do all the time that is so easy and natural for you, that you often don’t even know you are doing it. It’s also the biggest gift that we can give to others.

The other way this concept was presented to me is through the book “The Alchemist” by Paolo Coelho. I’m currently re-reading this book (highly recommend it by the way) and it talks about the concept of your “personal legend” which is described as the only means by which an individual can lead a satisfying life. In fact it goes further to suggest that the only way the universe can achieve perfection is for all beings to achieve their personal legends. In other words, it’s of extreme importance to find out what yours is and start living it if you aren’t already!

So there it is! This is the stage I’m at in my discovery and it seems so important to share it with everyone. We are each here on earth for a specific purpose. Discovering that purpose and sharing that gift with the world is the most important thing that there is, for our own fulfillment and for that of all life throughout the world.