Come alive!

Despite occasional temperature dips and even snow showers, spring really does seem to be in the air where I live. The air just smells different. Some of the bravest little plants are poking their heads out of the ground and sprouting green. Winter is keeping a hard grip on us this year, but I have hope that soon trees and plants will really green up and come alive. And so will I! I absolutely love spring and watching things burst forth with color and new life.

Because of that, perhaps, a quote in Brene Brown's book The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are really resonated deeply with me. Brown says it comes from theologian Howard Thurman: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

Isn't that wonderful? Can you imagine this world if everyone were able to ask what makes them come alive—and then pursue that? We would have a world with far happier people. Most likely, there would be less violence and no wars. Imagine the wonderful, positive energy all around us.

As it is, a high percentage of people hate their jobs. Many feel overworked, under-appreciated and underpaid. And that's those who have jobs. Many stay in bad relationships and bad jobs because they don't feel they have a choice. And I get it; some people really do have far fewer choices than others.

It's fun to dream about a world populated with people who have truly come alive and who are doing what they love to do. It's not within our power to make that happen for everyone on the planet. But here's the deal: You and I do have a choice about many things in our lives. Is there something you want to change about your life now? Something that would really make you come alive? What one step can you take today to move toward that? I'm guessing even taking one step toward that dream will make you come alive in a new way. Go for it!