Do What You Love

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Today’s *shared stories* come from painter Sally Stafford and TV presenter Desha Peacock

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Sally Stafford

I am not a writer…I’m a painter. Eight years ago I wouldn’t have been able to say that. I was a technical writer working freelance for internet security companies. But in my heart I have always been an artist.

When my twins were 18 in 2002 I gave up my career in IT to paint full time… a big event …carefully prepared for….I gradually worked part time/painted part time… took out a second mortgage…and stepped off the precipice.

‘Silver Sisters’ by Sally Stafford

One piece of writing I did do at that time was to write a letter to a friend… a letter dated 2002, five years into the future …and never delivered.

I told her all about my solo show in a beautiful gallery and how I was now painting in Spain, how my life was full of joy. I found the letter recently and am amazed at how close to my current life it is…I just have had an amazing solo show…and as you read this I am on my way to Portugal to be an artist in residence at a beautiful place I have been coming to each June for the last 4 years. I live deep in a magical forest that inspires me and travel and work in amazing places for at least 3 months of the year….almost exactly what I wrote about long ago in 2002.

I’m going to write another letter soon….one dated 2016. Why not try it yourself? And check in 5 years time to see if you too are living the life you dreamed about….the life you love.

‘Golden Meadows’ by Sally Stafford

[Sally is a painter of meadows, forests and dreams. Her work is in collections around the word and shown in galleries in the UK and Portugal. She occasionally teaches inspiring workshops at her beautiful studio in the Forest of Dean and other places. Find out more about Sally by visiting her website or her summerland blog . Image credits: Ian Gorton]

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Desha Peacock

For as long as I can remember I’ve asked myself, “What do I want to do with my life?” Some people are born with an innate sense of what they want to do, or be. Others don’t seem to ask the question, they just hammer through life and “do what they’ve got to do”. I’m not good at that. In fact, I’ve gotten physically ill when I’ve tried to force myself to stay in jobs I didn’t like. That’s because I need work that is somehow connected to what I call my “higher purpose”. I believe we all have a purpose and it’s our good feelings and dreams that enlighten us to what that purpose is, although it’s not always easy to follow that dreamy path. In fact, sometimes the hardest part is deciphering what it is we truly want.

I have had 40 jobs.  I’ve done everything from sales, to social work, to teaching, to translating, to retail, to cultural travel writing, to leading trips abroad, to owning my own business and more. And now, what’s astonishing to me is that I’m getting paid to help people answer the question that I’ve been asking myself for years, “What do you want to do with your life?”

I never imagined I would be a career counselor at a small liberal arts college, but it makes sense because I love having these conversations with bright, interesting students and alum. I give lots of advice in my role, and most of it has to do with listening to your inner heart’s desire (path to higher purpose).

I decided it was time to take my own advice & really tune in to how I can live my life to the full, which for me involves creativity. To start, I made a list of all the things I love, which includes: art, design, fashion, and inspirational stories.  I’ve always dreamed of having a bit of fortune and fame, too. And, so when Oprah Winfrey had a contest to “win your own TV show” I had to apply. I submitted a video along with 16,000 other people and explained why I wanted my own show. I didn’t win, but what I learned was, “hey this is fun, I actually really DO want to have my own show”.

At that point it would have been so easy to list all the reasons why I couldn’t do that:-

1. I have no experience in TV

2. I am a mother to a young child

3. I live in a small town in Vermont, not exactly known for TV production

And the list goes on. But, I didn’t do that. Instead, I decided to listen to this desire. And thus, “The Desha Show” was born.

I am currently partaking in my own 12-month experiment. What would happen if I devote my time and energy into what I love for 12 months? My hope is that my show will grow and expand into something even bigger than I can currently imagine. Maybe it’s TV. Maybe it’s design work. Maybe it’s something else creative. My end goal is not “a job”, it’s a set of criteria- fun, creative, lucrative!

And yes, it’s risky. This is the first time in my life where I’ve put so much time and energy into something that isn’t about making money (yet). I’m not thinking about a “market”, or whom this will appeal to. I’m the market. I’m doing this for me because these are the things I love, that’s why it’s The Desha Show! 

Just as I’m learning from my day job how to listen to my own advice, I’m also learning from my show. I interview people who are either in their self-professed “sweet spot” or they are on their way to it. I’m finding that their words are giving me advice on how to Do What I Love! 

So far, I’ve produced to two short episodes which are currently airing on my local public TV station in Brattleboro, Vermont and can be seen on Vimeo though my blog.

Interviewing artist Daniel Kornguth

I recently interviewed a very talented dancer and circus performer who just signed a contract with Cirque de Soleil. When I asked what made him pursue his dream; he said, “I believe it is our duty to follow our dreams”.

Isn’t that amazing? It’s our duty.  In other words, we are depriving the world by not sharing our gifts. If I ever get down on myself and start questioning my process, I often refer to his wisdom. Doing what I love is not selfish, it’s my duty. Imagine if we all did what we loved, wouldn’t the world be a better place? As for me, I can’t say I’m 100% in my sweet spot yet, but I am in the process of Doing What I Love, and so grateful for that!

[All images courtesy of Desha Peacock. Find out more about her on her blog]

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Are you doing what you love?  Join the Do What You Love e-course and start doing it. 

This online adventure starts on June 6 and will take you step-by-step along the path towards doing what you love.

Read what a powerful impact it had on previous participants here.

Find out more and register here.

This is your life we are talking about…

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