Keep on Chasing

The fun thing about writing this blog is that I get to say what I want to say when I want to say it. Usually, I am inspired to write about a book I’ve recently read, a fashion style or designer I’m newly discovering, or an event in my life that causes me to want to learn more about myself or the world I live in. This time, it’s a blend of all three.

I am a busy single (but engaged to a very loving man) mom of four emerging adults balancing their lives and new adventures with my own daily grind and budding entrepreneurship, chasing my passion, where, to be honest, at times I find myself lost.

The good thing about being lost and not knowing where you are going is that you get to go anywhere you want. Whichever direction you choose. This morning, on my spiritual journey to find myself, I was steered in the direction of Matthew McConaughey.

Now, this is not a new direction for me, as I have had the wisdom from his 2014 Academy Award speech for Best Actor printed on my mousepad at my desk for years as a daily inspiration, reminding me to keep on chasing. (If you have never heard this speech, or even if you have, drop everything and watch it now. It’s so motivational and inspiring, it makes me cry every time I listen to it).

So, this morning I was listening to my newest favorite podcaster Cathy Heller re-tell a story that Matthew McConaughey shared about how he became an actor, not especially by his ability, but through opening himself to the possibility of anything and letting the universe guide him. What an amazing way to live. Turns out, he is way more enlightened and inspired than Dazed and Confused.

Through his story, I was reminded then and there how much I admire him as a human and I remembered that last week while straightening the bookshelves at work, I saw the biography he recently released called Greenlights. Though I didn’t check out this book last week, I knew that the universe was calling me to read it now.

I am a very big proponent of listening to the universe and observing the signs it sends my way. This book was one of those signs. Coming off from a week of highs and lows and finding myself having more questions about my life than answers, I turned to this book for a bit of guidance. And, wouldn’t you know. I opened the book directly to a message that I needed to hear.

That’s the magic of the universe.

It’s that magic that gives me inspiration and sends me off in a direction where I can create new thoughts, new ideas, new experiences, and new knowledge of my world and the world around me. It’s where I start to find my passion, my purpose, and my soul. It’s that magic that allows me to take two very unrelated topics and show how they relate to my two very different worlds of stories and style.

Matthew McConaughey doesn’t have anything to do with fashion, or libraries for that matter, but sometimes you have to think outside the box to connect the dots. Take for instance, Dazed and Confused, the movie that opened up to McConaughey and provided his breakthrough role into acting. This movie was set in the year 1976 and is styled with that total 70s vibe. From bell bottom jeans, embroidered halter tops, and ringer tees, the cast and characters in this coming-of-age story have the look.

• 

• 

• 

So, now I can take this McConaughey connection and show how it applies to me.

1. I was born in the 70s.

2. I have a huge passion for clothing and have a closet full of really awesome 70’s inspired styles that I offer through my online resale store.

3. I am a librarian and have access to one of the world’s greatest treasures known to man. Books. Including Greenlights, written by McConaughey, where you can read about his call to be an actor, the love and influence he grants himself, and how he didn’t pre-write his 2014 Academy Award speech prior to receiving the award, as it would be bad juju for him, but still managed to relay this amazing message:

There are three things that I need each day. One, I need something to look up to, another to look forward to, and another is someone to chase.

Matthew McConaughey, 2014 Academy Award speech. (Seriously, watch the video.)

I am still in the process of chasing my dreams, my vision, and my soul’s purpose, and will keep on chasing them until I feel fulfilled. I hope that you can find your inspiration, too, because when the path you are on is filled with passion, purpose, and soul, it gives you a magical story to tell.