I’m running out of things to talk about on this blog.
I know this, because I’m doing a book review. I have a policy against book reviews. I don’t know why, I just do. After I started getting emails from publicists asking me to do reviews, I just decided not to do them. It seemed easier not to do any reviews at all than to only review the books that really inspired me, and then to have to figure out how to soften the blow of “I think your book sucks” to everyone else.
So why do one now? Because this book affected me. For better or worse, I haven’t decided yet. But definitely an effect. And like I already said, I’m running out of things to talk about 
The book in question is I See Your Dream Job by Sue Frederick. I was in Borders the other day, and this book fell off the shelf right into my lap. OK, not really. The title just happened to catch my eye, and I bought it, even without reading so much as the back cover. I never do that. I figured it was a little nudge from the Universe, so I just went with it. I brought it home, and read it straight through. Well, I skimmed some parts. Lots of parts, actually, but that’s OK, because they didn’t really apply to me.
Sue (because I’m on a first-name basis with everybody) uses a combination of numerology and astrology to help her clients find their true career…their dream job. Ordinarily, I don’t pay any attention to such things, cause 99% of the time, it’s bullshit. But the way Sue explained it, I didn’t mind so much. Basically, she said that we choose to be born under a certain star sign and on a certain date. I can deal with that, because it doesn’t interfere with my free will. If I chose to be born a Leo on the Birth Path 5, then I can believe that. So, here is what the book said about the Leo/5:
“With your good looks and authentic charm, you could be the next Denzel Washington. Acting, extreme sports, mountain climbing, travel guiding, teaching, and life coaching will all appeal to you. Just don’t push those addiction limits past the point of no return. Find your spiritual center so you can enjoy exotic adventures and still have a family.”
Yes, I *am* the white Denzel Washington. Ladies, the line forms to the left…
All joking aside, at first glance, this list seems ridiculous (even without Denzel). Mountain climbing? Seriously? Extreme sports? And is it just me, or does anyone else have a hard time figuring out how “teaching” and “life coaching” fit on this list at all?
But, I can’t deny that I love adventure. I love travel. I love excitement. I love spur of the moment, pack a light bag, hop in the car, and go. I love learning new things, and meeting new people. I love exploring…both in the physical world and in the mental world of books and information. When I was a kid, Indiana Jones was my hero. I figured that would be just about the perfect life…searching for treasures, narrowly escaping danger, learning all about interesting people and cultures. At least partially, my spiritual path is an extension of that love of learning, that love of knowledge. I definitely have a strong spirit of adventure, I even enjoy the mini adventures I have almost every single day.
I don’t know what I will do with this piece of the puzzle. Before my disability, I wanted to do many things that were dangerous and crazy: Test pilot, astronaut, photographer for National Geographic, Ninja (man, did I ever want to be a ninja), Indiana Jones, Davey Crockett, Robin Hood, Knight of the Round Table…the list goes on and on. I could still do some of them, in a modified form, but I just don’t know how or what, exactly, just yet. I need more time to think about this, and figure out how it fits with who I am and where I want to go. Certainly, writing will be a part of it (travel writer, maybe?), but other than that…what? In scientific terms, I have new data to incorporate into the existing data. I need time to analyze the data, and figure out what it means on a personal level, then I can move forward more confidently.
So, to summarize, even if you don’t believe in numerology or astrology, I think you should read this book. You might be pleasantly surprised, and rediscover things about yourself that you have long since buried.
So who wants to go skydiving with me?
Love always,
Jay
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You know, Jay… I *would* go skydiving with you, but I’ve already been. I have a zillion things I need to do for the first time before I start repeating activities.
I’ll check out the book, though, ’cause I like that kind of bullshit stuff.
I can totally relate to your first sentence here… which Hayden also made me hyper-aware of when she stepped away from her blog. Not sure what to do about that, really. I’m definitely not out of things to say, but I am out of things to say that should be published on my blog for all eternity (to be used against me at a later date).
The blogger’s dilemma: if what I WANT to write should not be published, should I write at all?
I don’t believe in numerology or astrology, but I like the intention of finding the right career. A lot of people just focus on the career where they can make the most money.
Eduard
Eduard @ Ideas With A Kick´s last blog ..The Law of Attraction vs. Science
That sounds like a wonderful book, Jay, if it really targets the passions inside you based on that numerology/astrology insight.
There was a book about 15 years ago called ‘Do It! Let’s Get Off Our Buts’ by John-Roger, and it went at it another way, but basically transformed my whole life.
I am too chicken to go skydiving – but national geographic photographer’s assistant would work
Maybe the out-of-things to say is just temporary… A short break may change that.
Aurora´s last blog ..Apple’s i Pad
You might not like book reviews, but I enjoyed this one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Jay!
Positively Present´s last blog ..L.O.V.E.: 4 unique ways to express your love
@Lisis – Ahhh. I know exactly what you mean. There have been many, many posts that I have left unwritten simply because I knew those thoughts/ideas shouldn’t be published. Many things that I *wanted* to say, but didn’t, just because they were too crazy or too private for publishing. Long live the private journal!
@Eduard – You’re right. One of the things that I liked about this book was the fact that it emphasized the spiritual nature of the job search…do what your soul wants to do, not what society thinks you *should* do. I think that’s important to be truly successful in life.
@Aurora – I’m pretty sure that it *is* temporary. I’m sure more things will come up as life goes on, and I’ll want to write about them as they do, but for now, I need more “in breath”, more taking in of experiences and ideas before I “out breath” them through this blog.
@Dani – I’m glad you enjoyed it! Maybe I’ll do more, now that I’ve gotten over my initial knee-jerk “I don’t wanna do that” reaction
“Yes, I *am* the white Denzel Washington. Ladies, the line forms to the left…”
HA, that is 100% awesome.
Meanwhile, I would totally love to go skydiving with you. Of course, bodyflight is on my list for this year and it is less heart attack inducing (I’m afraid of heights but I’ll still go skydiving because THAT’S HOW I ROLL).
Skydiving I will try! And definitely a little easier to get into than ninjahood (that’s a profession with not much action these days I think.) I do like both astrology and numerology, but always find it difficult to believe that anything generic written in the book like this will be relevant, i.e. that there is value without an individual reading. But then I’m often proved wrong, but books like this.
As for blogging, you know I’ve just been through a re-thinking on this myself, and it seems to hit every blogger once in awhile. For myself, I’m just going to write about topics I’m interested in and want to explore more anyway. And people either want to read it or not, want to subscribe or not (and I suspect some will unsubscribe. Oh well.) I hope you find some direction that inspires you, as I like your writing and you.
Lisa (mommymystic)´s last blog ..January Month in Review (& Blog Shares)
Hi, Jay!
Being afraid of falling, I’ll skip that sky diving thing, but thanks for asking. (smile)
I’m so glad the book sparked something in you. I need that from time to time, and will read a book – and yes, sometimes skim! – and just one passage will stand out for me and shift me internally. Suddenly I’m on a new path and feel more aligned overall. I just love when that happens!
It’s funny because when I was little, I wanted to be a witch and have magical powers. Today, I feel like I do have magical powers in a sense (via manifesting), but the other night I was laughing because I’m helping an organization run an event and some honest-to-God witches might be part of it.
Life’s funny that way: when we allow our dreams to surface and see the light of day, everything becomes possible.
So, on that note, I wonder if you’ll be interviewing ninjas as a travel writer?
Lots of love and adventures to you!
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..Love, the Eternal Law
OK Jay I’m in the line to the left laughing hysterically. You are so flippin funny sometimes. Anyway my neighbor wants to get over her fear of flying. There is a little town of Eloy not far from us that is huge on skydiving. So we’re suppose to go watch and then she wants to try it.
I used to want to do all those crazy fun things and now I’m quite content. I don’t know what happened but how about…I’ll go skydiving if you go!
Oh and your book report is funny as well…that’s just bullshit…I could hear you talking out loud!
Tess Bold Life´s last blog ..Born To Run
@Hayden – Bodyflight, huh? I’ll have to look that one up. But if you go skydiving with me, then I’ll go bodyflight…, um, bodyflying? whatever with you
@Lisa – Yeah, there’s just not much demand for ninjas these days. Personally, I blame technology. There’s just too many other ways to spy on people these days.
And no worries, I’m sure I’ll find *something* to write about. Too many interesting things happen to me for me to go silent for very long!
@Megan – Once upon a time, I was a real honest-to-goodness witch. (Male witches are still called witches, BTW), and while I still have the magical powers, I prefer to think of them as gifts from the Goddess. As for interviewing ninjas, I would, but those little buggers are hard to find sometimes!
@Tess – Thanks, Tess! I’m glad you like my sense of humor. So few people “get” me these days…I’m glad to know that you do!
I wouldn’t go skydiving with you, but I’d be on the ground waiting with a spectacular lunch and a huge high five:) I’m not much for lines, but I *am* a Jay fan so I’d be around somewhere:)
So, my friend:
“With your good looks and authentic charm, you could be the next Denzel Washington. Acting, extreme sports, mountain climbing, travel guiding, teaching, and life coaching will all appeal to you. Just don’t push those addiction limits past the point of no return. Find your spiritual center so you can enjoy exotic adventures and still have a family.”
I would like to point out that you already do everything in this description….just let your imagination stretch a bit….mountain climbing..how many mtns have you climbed and shared with us….and then inspired us to do the same. Travel guiding, think of all of the places you’ve been and can recommend to any of us. Extreme sports..shoot cliff jumping…..Acting..not sure, but I know you spin an amazing fiction story when you’d like….Teaching/life coaching…it’s what your blog is all about Jayism and all that you share…Find your spiritual center so you can enjoy exotic adventures and still have a family..dude you are right there!
So, with much love and genuine sincerity I’d like to say that what you’re looking for is already inside of you. You already know your calling you just need to be open and ready to see and accept it. You’re already *in it* Mr Denzel:)
Joy´s last blog ..Full Moon Dream Board…
Hi Jay,
I am torn about numerology. On the one hand, there is some truth to it. But on the other hand, there is not. So I just go the middle way. I just take what makes sense to me and then toss out the rest. Of course, this may change because things always change. So I guess I will have to check out that book!
By the way, I am with Joy. You already embody all of this and I am sure that as time goes on, you will do even more amazing stuff. There is only one direction to go and that is up!
This was a funny read! There’s no way I’d go skydiving with anyone, but will you? (I’ve had all the terrifying experiences I need for several lifetimes.) Glad to hear you’re planning to keep blogging after achieving your blogging goal.
Dot´s last blog ..Comment on Of Snow and Groundhogs and Pandas by Jannie Funstet
@Joy – Thank you for that wonderful insight, Joy! I’d never really thought about it before, but I have climbed several mountains and had many adventures during my life. And sharing what I have learned along the way is a form of teaching, so I guess you’re right – I have already done these things! And I shall continue to do them in the future…so long as you’ll be there with a spectacular lunch and high fives
@Nadia – The problem that I have with Numerology, Astrology, and all the other mystical “sciences” is that they are often very generic. They list a lot of positive traits that everyone would like to believe they have, and so they think it is part of some awesome insight, when in fact, it’s just feeding their ego.
Now, having said that, I *do* think that some people have a gift, and can provide useful insight using those tools. However, I believe it is rare, and that there are many conmen out there.
@Dot – Oh yeah, I definitely plan on going skydiving someday. I’m not sure why it is so appealing to me, but it is, so I’m gonna try it. In other news, I’m glad you liked the post!