Life is not short, the problem is that we start living it late

Often, we complain about how short life is, when in reality the problem is that we start to really live it late. Only when we drop the masks, the weights and the outdated bonds, do we take the step: we finally open the door to that beautiful creature that, like a hungry wolf, emerges free in search of its own territory.

Okot p’Bitek was an interesting Ugandan poet and writer who dedicated much of his career to praising traditional African culture. According to him, People will never be completely free. We all occupy a position in our society: we are sons, brothers, mothers or medicine men. However, all these links are nothing more than points of origin. Because we also have the opportunity to create new horizons, even while maintaining common roots.

We all come into this world free. However, Life, our families and the social context that surrounds us shapes us little by little with its many hands and warm breaths.. Far from assuming each inscribed stroke and each form, we are the authentic artisans, we who at a given moment must choose what to accept from this transmission of values ​​and teachings and what to deny.

Okot p’Bitek left us great wisdom in books like “Son of Lawino”. We will never stop being someone’s children, someone’s brothers or natives of a specific town… However, Even knowing what our origins are, we have the full right to WAKE UP and build the type of life we ​​want.

And you, have you already started to really live?

The concept of “truly living” may be disconcerting to many. Aren’t we all alive? Don’t we enjoy the gift of life just for being born and breathing at this very moment? The truth is that There is a clear difference between existing and achieving that full life where one authentically enjoys what is., what he has and what he does. Because between when we are born and when we leave this world, there is a precious time called life that deserves to be used intensely.

Now, but how to do it? How to promote this awakening? Erich Fromm, famous German psychoanalyst, social psychologist and humanist, used to say that Human beings spend a large part of their existence adjusting to what society labels as normal, thinking that this is “what is good and correct.”. However, most of the time we end up stuck in certain relationships, behaviors and activities that go against our authentic desires.

We swallow our bitter frustrations and hide our longings in the depths of our being like rusty ships, like sad relics that it is better not to look at because everyday life drags us down. Because you have to comply, fit in and be part of that mechanism that makes up the unique thought where, of course, freedom does not exist. Waking up from this sad reverie requires courage. Because only those who are willing to start their own personal revolution will begin to live as they truly want.

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How to start your awakening in 5 steps

It may seem ironic. However, There are many people who advance along their vital paths with their hearts turned off and their minds driven by an autopilot programmed to let themselves go. carry. It is an easier existence, but without a doubt, less happy, less authentic and satisfying.

The essential alchemy to promote this awakening or transformation is based on five simple steps on which we can reflect for a few moments. They are the following.

Keys to start living the life you want

Let’s now return to that fact that we talked about at the beginning of the article quoting the Ugandan writer Okot p’Bitek. Today, there are various aspects that undoubtedly define you, whether you want it or not. You are someone’s child, you are a brother/sister, and you are a partner or friend. At the same time, you also have a certain position in this society marked by your work performance.

These things link you to certain entities, but they do not have to define you until they veto your decision-making capacity. You control the type of connection you want to maintain: close if it gives you happiness, distant if it causes you suffering. Stop pretending. This aspect is essential, we must be able to stop pretending that we are fine when what surrounds us burns us inside. Stop saying “I’m great” when I’m not. . Don’t turn your head anymore when you don’t like something. Be authentic, that your thoughts are in accordance with your actions and that your voice sounds firm.Learn to give up. Understand that to start living the existence you really want, you may have to leave behind many things, many people. Live in the present moment, Practice mindfulness and remember that the best time for everything is always NOW.Follow your intuitions. Learn to listen to yourself, to give value to that inner voice that tells you before anyone else what is worth it and what is not.

In conclusion. Remember that it is not really about living long or little, It is just about giving meaning to each moment and valuing one’s own life for what it is: a gift that we cannot waste.

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Images courtesy of Sophie Wilkins