EXCERPT FROM THE INSTRUCTION
Living the Life your Soul Intended
The Desire for Education
Advantage: Knowledge
Risk: Procrastination
What on earth could possibly be wrong with education? Usually nothing. Most of us don’t get nearly as much as we could use. But sometimes, enough is enough.
While education leads to the advantage, knowledge, an out-of-balance desire for it can function as a distraction; it’s a way to put off actually living the life your soul intended.
You see it in people who become “permanent students,” always going from one course to the next. They’re constantly learning, but never doing anything with it.
In Carrie’s case, the last thing her soul wanted was another year at school.
As the summer neared an end and college loomed on the horizon, she became increasingly miserable. She simply didn’t know whether to go back or not.
The answer wasn’t hard to find. What was ailing this Creator type was the thought of going back to art school to complete her final year rather than seizing some incredible opportunities that had come her way. She sat down opposite me, close to tears.
“I’ve been asked to illustrate a children’s book, some posters, and all sorts of other projects that are coming my way,” she told me. “The problem is I’m only a year away from getting my degree. One part of me feels that I can’t give up now, but the other part dreads going back to school.”
“Your career has already started,” I told her. “What your soul wants now is for you to get on with your life. It doesn’t need another year of college.”
No matter how I asked my spirit guides the question, they saw no advantage to Carrie in going back to school. “If it helps her,” they said, “remind her that she can always finish college sometime in the future.”
That evening, Carrie’s mother, Leslie, called to thank me. “I don’t remember the last time I saw her this happy!” she said.
The next afternoon, however, Leslie called again. “It’s a disaster!” she cried. “Carrie had lunch with the guy who helped her get into college. He’s talked her into going back. Now she’s unhappy and confused again.”
She begged me to meet up with Carrie and convince her not to go. I explained that it’s not my job to convince anyone of anything, but she was insistent.
So that evening, I met Carrie again for a chat. I told her the same thing I’d told her mom. “The answer from my spirit guides isn’t going to change in a day,” I explained. “You’re being guided not to go back to school, but ultimately it’s your choice. Listen to your own intuition, and don’t make your decision based on my guides’ or anyone else’s opinion.”
As we spoke, Carrie broke into a smile. “I think I know what I have to do,” she said.
It’s been six months, and Carrie is working as a professional illustrator. The last time I saw her, I asked her how it was all working out. “I’ve just moved into a studio, and work keeps coming in,” she said. “My life has never been better.”
