Clarity Comes from Within

"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." — Carl Jung

Clarity of vision is not found externally.

It is discovered within as a test of the heart. Dreams are born of the imagination and given flight in the big wide world. But they must take root in the heart for meaning and clarity of purpose to bloom.

I once dreamed of climbing the ladder to lofty heights. I was never satisfied with the here and now. There was always another level to shoot for. There was always a bigger title, more responsibility and more money to be gained.

I dreamed of what it would be like to run a company. I rubbed elbows with the mighty while working day and night. I became a decision maker. People looked to me when faced with big decisions. It was intoxicating.

The dream grew bigger as I rose higher through the ranks. And just when the dream seemed within reach, I finally did what I should have done all along. I looked inside and found my heart wasn't in it.

All of that work was aimed at a dream. But whose dream was it? Turns out it wasn't mine. My heart had other things in mind. It craved something of meaning, and climbing the corporate ladder wasn't even in the ballpark.

When you dream big dreams, test them regularly against the desires of the heart. You will never find clarity working against those desires. You will never truly awaken. Your reward will be a vast, empty space devoid of purpose.

Food for Thought

Are you living someone else's dream or your own?

Is your heart in it?

When will you stop dreaming and finally awaken?

One Small Step

The test of the heart is slightly different for everyone, but it starts with the following question: What are the byproducts of working toward a given vision or dream? If it is simply material rewards, then it likely fails the test of the heart.