Kim Davis Success Article

December 2003 Issue --> Success Article

Dare to be Different - But Know Yourself

By: Kim Davis

I'm "different" - always have been. My parents are "different" too, and as a kid that bugged me. I was ashamed when my mother came to school sunburned in jeans and boots and smelling of horse manure. The other mothers had perfectly coiffed hair and perfume and their shoes matched their purses.

It was many years before I came to appreciate my mother as the wild, strong individual she is. It has taken longer for me to appreciate my own uniqueness. Now, in my forties, I am flattered when old friends say "you've done so much", or "what an adventurous life you've lead". I like the attention, but I find the awe in their voices a bit puzzling. I have never sought recognition. Heck, I rarely had a plan. I gave up planning fairly early on since nothing ever went the way it was "supposed to". Most of my major decisions were made in reaction to things I did NOT want to do.

In hindsight, I have done lots of interesting and unusual things, but they'd have been a lot more fun if I'd gone into them with a clearer picture of ME. It has taken me all this time to understand my own motivations.

I tried to be "normal" and work in an office. Then I tried quite a few not-so-normal careers. I always changed direction when I began to feel like someone else was in control of my life. Not that I was in control, but I couldn't bear to be told where to be, what to do, or what to wear. And the fact that I could not earn as much money as my peers because I was a woman made me crazy.

Just one of the decisions I question now that I'm older is the full university scholarship I refused from U.S. Air Force. My reason? At that time women were not allowed into the flight program. Oh the things I could have done with that education, and that discipline! I could have still gone my own way once my term of service was up, and I'd have had great credentials and benefits.

But if not for my restlessness, I would not be the person I am today. And while I am grateful for all I've done, I wonder how much joy I missed along the way because I approached everything in an angry, judgmental way. I was furious because to be "successful" one had to wear impractical, uncomfortable clothes and follow laws laid down by some corporate "god." Anger and dissatisfaction propelled me through my twenties, but because of it I studied marine biology then music; worked as a sound engineer; and as a scuba diver. I sailed the world's oceans, lived in many countries, and made friends all over the world.

Today I know I am a trailblazer. I'm incapable of following anyone else's map. I have to create my own unique map as I go along. However, there are some very major universal truths I wish I'd learned earlier. I don't think I'd have made different choices but these basic truths would have allowed me to enjoy the journey more fully. I hope my simple words will help others enjoy their own paths more.

Six Simple Truths to Help You Know Yourself

You must love yourself before you can expect others to love you. Don't judge yourself too harshly - Instead make a point of finding something to like about yourself each day.
It's o.k. to have dreams. It's even o.k. to follow them. Just be sure to use common sense about money. If you don't keep a bit of a cash cushion, you'll severely limit your choices.
You always have two options. You can choose to think a negative thought, or you can choose to think a positive thought.
Don't let peer pressure control you. You have every right to live the way that makes you feel best, and if your friends don't like that, find new friends.
Sometimes you have to rely on faith, and it makes no difference what religion you follow. You must trust that the universe will somehow take care of things over which you have no control. Start by allowing yourself to believe that things will be o.k. Work up to the belief that your whole life will work out right. Place your faith in God, Angels, Ancestors or Your Higher Self. Pick one that makes you feel comfortable and believe. Things WILL work out all right!
Listen to your intuition. If you feel uncomfortable about something - DON'T DO IT! But, if a situation feels very inviting, GO FOR IT! I have always found that my best moves have always had a certain flow to them. All the traffic lights are green.

Kim Davis is the author of The Yachtie Bible: How to Get Paid While Traveling in Style, available through booklocker.com www.booklocker.com/books/842.html. She also publishes aweekly online newsletter for jobseeking adventurers, Extraordinary Jobs for Ordinary People www.extraordinary-jobs.com.

All data provided on this website is to be used for information purposes only. The information contained on this website and pages within, is not intended to provide specific legal, medical, financial or tax advice, or any other advice, whatsoever, for any individual or company and should not be relied upon in that regard. The services described on this website are only offered in jurisdictions where they may be legally offered. Information provided in our website is not all-inclusive, and is limited to information that is made available to and such information should not be relied upon as all-inclusive or accurate.

Bookmark this page now...

Dare to be Different - But Know Yourself by Kim Davis

Stumble It!

Other Success articles enjoyed by our readers.

Michael Oliver - Ask Questions
by Chris Attwood

Take the Ride of Your Life!
Live the Life You Deserve
by Joyce Weiss

Creating Wealth
by Ken Foster

Here's a Taste of What You'll Get With Your Subscription...

Each month you'll have access to a new issue of the online magazine that is full of fantastic resources and help from the experts that will give you motivational training, as well as the inspiration, and education that you need to Live the Story of Your Dreams!

Weekly doses of "feel good" and practical self-help tips with The Chronicles eZine…

Live Access to the Top Movers and Shakers in the world twice a month through the Real Life Legends Teleseminar Series...

It's all completely FREE and you can unsubscribe at any time!

	Click Here with questions or comments about this web site. © Copyright 2003-2010 . Healthy Wealthy nWise. All Rights Reserved. 205 W. Liberty St., Ste. 203, Charles Town, WV 25414 304.725.2502
Home \| Affiliates \| Current Issue \| Contact Us Privacy Policy \| Terms of Use \| Subscriber Agreement Questions & Tech Support