Repurposing The Crooked Path
- jimhlifecoach
- Jun 10
- 17 min read
Take A Look At Yourself and Make That Change - Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
So many people feel a sense of disconnect. We have lost touch with each other. We have lost touch with ourselves. Feelings of listlessness, lethargy, spiritlessness, and languish abound. We lack direction, joy, and meaning in our lives. We settle. Thinking that where we are is as good as it gets, and we are not worthy or capable of anything different. We settle in, and we live transactional lives and never come close to reaching our full potential.
People stay where they are in their comfort zone. It may be an empty space, but it is a safe
space. They may wish or sense that their lives could be different... Different in a better way... But they stay put. Not wanting to rock the boat or face their fears. They believe that doing nothing has no impact and keeps them safe.
But what they don’t realize is that doing nothing still fills that space. That space indeed is not empty. It becomes filled with missed potential, missed opportunities, stagnation, and lost control of what is happening in their lives. By not acting, you are still creating your life. Just not intentionally. Inaction is a choice. It is a decision. It is a choice that you don’t make. And the choices that you don’t make have lasting consequences. The opportunities that you don’t pursue, the talents that you don’t develop, and the actions that you don’t take. Inaction is not neutral. It shapes your life just as action does.
What you do, or do not do, with your life is a powerful and dynamic force that continuously shapes your path, whether you actively participate or just passively let things happen.
If you are not intentional on your path, life can pull you in. It can pull you into patterns, routines, and distractions. Inaction isn’t static. It often leads to being swept away by circumstances or the agendas of other people. Doing nothing doesn’t stop the motion. It just means that you are being carried by the current instead of taking the wheel and steering in, around, and through it.
Energy builds, either positively or negatively, and so does the energy of our paths. What you do can add momentum towards growth and purpose. What you don’t do can create inertia, stagnation, and regret. Action creates forward movement. Inaction creates a carousel of what-ifs and missed opportunities.
Your choices don’t just impact you. Your life’s direction can pull others in. Your partner,
your children, other family members, coworkers, and friends. A purposeful and abundant life can lift others. A life of avoidance and scarcity can drag others down.
And energy attracts. Your energy attracts in more of the same. Your path gains momentum one way or the other. The longer you stay in a certain energy and on a certain path... Whether the path is aligned or misaligned... the stronger the pull becomes. Good habits and patterns reinforce purpose. Avoidance and inaction can result in a downward spiral and deep dissatisfaction.
Your life is always in motion. What you do with it, or fail to do with it, becomes a force. It becomes a force with the power to build, shape, and propel, or a force to destroy, stagnate, and distract. It is never neutral. It always leads somewhere. The question is, are you taking the wheel? Or are you just along for the ride?
Are you happy in this modern world? Or do you need more? Is there somethin' else you're searching for? - Shallow - Lady Gaga / Bradley Cooper
Whenever you reach a point in your life where something feels off or out of alignment, or you have a deep sense of incongruence or dissonance, a persistent feeling that you are missing something or missing out... This will often come when you are focusing on things that ultimately do not matter. You may be consumed by distractions, stuck in patterns that don’t serve you, people pleasing, climbing the wrong ladder, fixated on appearances, or into avoidance. Shoving every red flag that you encounter under the carpet. Deep down inside, you know something is wrong. Your soul is restless for substance, but your attention is absorbed by noise. The feeling of something being missing often will show up when your life is filled with what doesn’t matter.
The things that grab our attention and distract us, such as social media, drama, fun things, gossip, obsessions, and even workaholism, are not random. They pull us in for a reason. The intensity and nature of those distractions often mirror the depth of our avoidance. The more that we ignore our calling, our growth, the inner work, and our purpose, the more we tend to cling to distractions. And not just any distractions. We cling to distractions that symbolically represent what we are neglecting. For example, someone who avoids deep relationships may love shallow interactions and discussions. Or someone afraid to address a necessary major change in their lives may become addicted to busyness.
When someone is unhappy or unsettled, it is usually because something powerful within them is being ignored. That buried potential is trying to get their attention.
Dissatisfaction is not a flaw. The dissonance and incongruence can be a sign of untapped greatness. There is no one who carries more hidden potential than someone who is unhappy with where they are on their path. The distractions that consume us are often reflections of what we are avoiding in our lives. The more that we ignore the deeper calling, the more intensely we seek out things to numb or occupy us. And yet, dissatisfaction itself is a sign of hidden potential. It is a sign that something meaningful inside of us is waiting to be awakened.
Desiring a fuller and more meaningful life, whether that be through dreams or silent longing,
is an invitation for possibility to come into your life. You are not just wishing. You are creating an opening for transformation. A channel for energy to spark, resonate, and come alive. This energy could show itself as inspiration and motivation resulting in opportunities and positive upheaval. But if you are not prepared... emotionally, mentally, or spiritually... for the opening or for the energy, it won’t always show up as clarity or fulfillment. Instead, it might look like overwhelm, despair, emotional breakdown, or crisis. Unsustained energy diminishes and uncontained energy can become disorder. Growth requires structure, self-awareness, and groundedness.
Often people are not consciously asking for change. They might not even know they are dissatisfied. They have settled. Unaware and thinking that this is their lot in life. But something in their being at the soul level of unconscious desire is calling out for more. Life responds to who we are, and not just our words or surface-level desires. We may say that all we want is safety or simplicity, but if our deeper nature is built for leadership, creation, or truth, then life will respond to that. Life will bring challenges or openings aligned with our potential, and not necessarily our comfort.
When you desire more from life, you’re inviting a surge of energy, potential, and change into your world. If you’re not prepared to manage that influx — through grounded awareness, discipline, and inner strength — it may manifest as chaos or crisis instead of growth. Often, we don't even realize we're calling this in, because life doesn't respond just to what we say or think we want — it responds to the deeper signal of who we truly are and what we're meant to become.
Can Anybody Find Me Somebody to Love? - Somebody to Love by Queen
It has been said that there are three keys to happiness in life. Something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. This is a simple, yet profound framework for a fulfilling life.
We need something to do. Not just anything to do. We need a compelling reason to get out of bed each day. We need a bigger “Why” in our lives. Something that excites us. This speaks to purpose, engagement, and contribution. As humans, we are hard-wired to be active. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. “Something to do” doesn’t just mean keeping busy. It suggests meaningful activities that give a sense of purpose, relevance, and flow. There are many avenues through which this can be pursued and achieved. Through one’s profession or career, a creative pursuit or hobby, volunteering, helping others and being of service, or simply building something over time. The act of working towards something significant or consequential. When we have a reason to get up in the morning, we feel more alive.
Something to love gives life depth and emotional richness. This doesn’t just mean love of a person. It could be love of a pet. Love for a passion, a place, or even love for a worthy cause. Love brings connection and meaning. It draws us out of ourselves and towards others. People who feel loved and are able to express love tend to report higher life satisfaction, even in the face of adversity.
And we need something to hope for. Hope is about looking forward. It is a belief that there are better days ahead. A belief that tomorrow will be better than today and that change is possible. It is a belief that something meaningful and purposeful is ahead. Without hope, people feel stuck and in despair. Hope gives us motivation to keep going. It keeps our faith alive and helps us endure the twists and turns in our paths. We find hope in our goals, our dreams, and our growth.
The acts of doing, loving, and hoping represent action, connection, and vision. These touch
all aspects of our human nature. Our mind, heart, and spirit. When we are deficient in any of these areas for an extended period, we can feel unbalanced or unfulfilled. But when all three are present in some proportion or fashion, life tends to feel more meaningful, connected, and flowing.
So many of us underestimate our potential and what we can achieve. This often stems from an inaccurate vision of ourselves. We get stuck in repetitive patterns and never see ourselves beyond our own perceptions, or how others view us. We see ourselves as ordinary people who are incapable of making a significant impact. Our low expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies, leading us to settle for less and contribute minimally. By undervaluing our worth and happiness, we confine and destine ourselves to mediocrity.
But the yearning to do more and be more is still there. You are powerful inside. Each one of us is full of buried potential. Many people underestimate their own ability to break free, move forward and live a fulfilling life, full of love, joy, and purpose. If you experience these feelings, be grateful. Deep within each of us lies a yearning to live a life of greatness and contribution, to matter and make a difference. We can consciously choose to leave behind a life of mediocrity for one of greatness, whether it be at home, at work, in the community, or in the world.
And I Can Change the World. I Will Be the Sunlight in Your Universe - Change The World by Eric Clapton
The most important spiritual growth happens in the midst of conflict and adversity. When you are frustrated, angry, or scared, and you are doing the same old thing. Then in a moment you realize that you have a choice. You realize that you can do it differently. And that is a window of opportunity where the growth can happen.
In my book, “Back On The Crooked Path”, I suggested that we are constantly at the crossroads of levelling up. And you will know this because you are constantly being asked what you want to walk towards, and what you want to walk away from. Along your path, you will continually be presented with similar situations and similar people. And we will meet them with similar behavior patterns of our own. It is at this point that you have the opportunity to make evolved decisions or fall back into old patterns. We are asked to move out of our comfort zones into places that are unknown. And the fact that these places are unknown causes fear, insecurity, and maybe some anxiety about moving in that direction. But it is our responsibility to overcome that. Moving out of comfort into discomfort and into the unknown is how we grow, change, and evolve and move towards our higher self. If you feel like you are being tested, it is an opportunity. An opportunity to decide differently. An opportunity to break old patterns and embody the person that you want to be. The person that you are meant to be.
The more that we choose to pour out of ourselves... Bringing our emotions to the surface...
Bringing our challenging thoughts about ourselves or others to the surface... And the more we empty out and bring up and out... The more we can then choose to fill up with different energy. If you are feeling stuck, or like you are pushing down parts of yourself, see what happens when you allow the challenging emotions, beliefs, or thoughts to rise to the surface. Allow yourself to process them. Notice how then, you will have all of this space within yourself to fill back up with the energy that you choose to become.
What emotions are residing in you? Feelings of emptiness or boredom? Life feels monotonous or dull, even when things are going well. Feelings of low motivation or drive? It is hard to get out of bed, get started on things, or stay disciplined with your plans and goals. Feelings of meaninglessness? You ask yourself “What is the point?” or “Why am I even doing this?”. Feelings of anxiety or depression? A general sense of dissatisfaction or despair without any cause being clear and obvious. Feeling the need to escape? Doomscrolling on social media, addicted to video games, alcohol, drugs, or seeking other distractions in order to avoid deeper reflection.
Are you living day to day without a clear vision or dreams for your future? Are you inconsistent? Jumping from one idea, job, or relationship to another with no clear pattern or agenda? Do you procrastinate or avoid responsibility or challenges? Are you attached to external validation? Is your intrinsic motivation missing? Do you have difficulty committing? Do you have trouble sticking with anything for the long term? Whether it be in work, personal projects, or relationships.
What Needs to be Brought to the Surface and Emptied in You?
Do you have superficial or strained relationships? You have difficulty forming deep connections with anyone. Do you have envy or resentment towards others? Especially those who seem to have their act together. Others who are successful, are fulfilled, and have direction in their lives. Do you have a feeling of disconnection from community and from contribution? A sense that you are not adding value to the lives of others or to the world.
Are you feeling out of alignment with your values? Do you even know your values? You know deep down that you are not being true to yourself and living according to your beliefs and values. You have a loss of curiosity or enthusiasm. You have apathy towards learning, growing, and exploring new possibilities.
If any of this feels or sounds familiar... If you are feeling any of these emotions, or experiencing any of these scenarios... At least to some extent, these are indicators of a lack of purpose in your life.
You may have started out feeling like you did have purpose in your life. Thinking that what
you were doing or working towards was purposeful, but as you progressed, things changed. What was once driving you has lost its steam. That shiny thing that you were working towards has lost its luster. What you thought you wanted didn’t turn out to be what you thought it would be. You feel disconnected and disillusioned. Your ladder has been leaning against the wrong wall. And this can bring up all manner of questions in your mind. Questioning yourself as to whether you were wrong all along. Asking yourself what it is that you really want. Questioning who you really are. And wondering how to get motivated and connected. How do you trust your feelings and where you are going in life? Your foundation has been shaken.
A lack of purpose doesn’t always show up intensely. It can be subtle. Many people feel fine externally, but they feel adrift internally. But over time, if you are self-aware, you will notice patterns. It is not so much the isolated experiences. Often, they can be explained away. It is those feelings and situations that continue to appear over time that persist. They are indicators that something is missing. Something is off. And that thing that is missing is your purpose. The bigger ‘Why” in your life. And if you thought you knew what your purpose was, but you feel something is off or still missing, it is time to revisit what you believe to be your purpose. If something is missing, or something is off, either way you are misaligned. It is time to repurpose your path.
When someone decides to repurpose their path in life, it means they are making a conscious choice to take the direction they've been heading — their experiences, skills, lessons, and even their mistakes — and give it new meaning, intention, or direction.
It is about Transformation, and not Erasure
Rather than completely abandoning who they've been or what they've done, they’re choosing to realign their life toward something that feels more purposeful, authentic, or impactful. It’s about transformation, not erasure. Whether you have never thought about purpose in your life, or you are rethinking what you felt your purpose was, here is what repurposing your path involves....
Shifting Your Perspective – Coming to see that the path you are on no longer aligns with who you are becoming. Maybe you have been on the path to nowhere, not knowing your purpose, but now you want and need that in your life. Either way, it is an awakening, and it time to reassess where you are and where you are going. Don’t see your past and the path that you were on as wasted time. Choose to see it all as raw material for growth.
A New Intentionality – You begin living with a clearer sense of purpose or calling. You may not know what that purpose is, but you feel a calling which draws you forward to seek out your purpose, or to redefine it. Your goals shift from things like achievement or survival to things like meaning, service, joy, and fulfillment.
Building On What Was – Use your past experiences, insights, and education as a foundation to create something new. Even your mistakes and poor choices. Even pain and discomfort.
Don’t disregard any of these things. Everything and everyone that you have experienced has shaped you into who you are today. It is now your task to repurpose all of that to shape you into who you want to be. That could mean any combination of healing, forgiving, learning, and growing. Also imagining, aspiring, envisioning, and manifesting. You are the sculptor. You are the builder. Repurpose these things into who you would like to be and where you would like to go.
Imagine someone who pursued a career in Corporate Sales repurposing their skills to become a teacher, a mentor, or a coach. Or someone who encountered childhood abuse that resulted in them going down wrong paths and getting in trouble with addiction and the law, repurposing the vision for their lives into one of self-love, worthiness, and healing, which turned them towards becoming a social worker, or a counsellor who now works with troubled children and teens that are going through the same or similar experiences to what they encountered. Helping them heal and thrive. Or an office worker who felt unappreciated, undervalued and misaligned, seeing inefficiencies and other staff being treated poorly. They know they could do better. So they take the initiative to step out on their own and start that venture where not only they will thrive, but anyone who comes to work for them will feel valued and appreciated, and that what they say and do mattered.
Reclaiming Agency – Repurposing is an act of ownership. It says, “I get to decide what my life means and where I go from here.” It says, “I own my path.” All of this could be prompted by a wake-up call, or a quiet inner knowing that it is time for a change.
Someone who once chased external success might repurpose their life to focus on impact over income, or relationships over recognition. Parents who are empty-nesters may turn their nurturing instincts into community and volunteer work. Someone who is recovering from trauma may repurpose their story into a message of hope for others.
To repurpose your path is to honor where you have been, while courageously choosing where you are going. it is the art of transformation with intention. Turning the crooked parts of our paths into steppingstones for something greater.
Your soul is calling you. Your soul may feel broken, wounded, hurt from mistakes you’ve made or from what someone else did. But your soul can be restored. When you get honest with yourself and you release what you need to release—guilt, worry, anger, jealousy—then healing will come. Those are the emotions that you need to bring to the surface. Those are the things that we need to bring up and empty out. That then creates the space for fresh vision and purpose for your path. It is never too late, and you have never been through too much. You can repurpose your life to become the best version of yourself with the knowledge that the best part of your life is still ahead of you.
It is Never Too Late and You are Never Too Far Off Course to Repurpose Your Path
By avoiding the things that we fear, we tell ourselves that we are making things better. We rationalize and justify. Avoidance, through seeking comfort, can quietly and progressively imprison us. It shrinks us. It ordains us to a smaller and more limited life. It is not just about the avoidance of your fears. It is the cost of letting fear dictate your choices.
Imagine not liking crowds. Being in crowded places causes you stress and anxiety. You are
not sure why, but you know it makes you anxious, stressed, and uncomfortable. So, you decide you are going to avoid crowds. If there are a lot of people at an event or location, you won’t be going. Those places are no longer an option for you. But you get an invite to a good friend’s wedding and find out over two hundred people will be there, and based on your new criteria, you decide you are not going. You love sports and concerts, but you decide you are no longer going to crowded arenas and stadiums. You avoid crowded restaurants. Crowded trains and buses stress you out, so you stop traveling. Every time that something falls outside of your comfort zone and fills you with fear, your natural instinct is to avoid it. And that avoidance gives you immediate relief. You get the relief that you don’t have to deal with that situation. And that becomes addictive. But over time, as you keep living by that rule, your life shrinks. And suddenly there are so many things that you can’t do. Things that you used to love doing with people that you love. It gets to a point where your decisions are based on the rule that you cannot do things that cause you anxiety or fear.
Avoidance offers short term relief but results in long term consequences. The relief you feel from avoidance is rewarding, so your brain learns to avoid again next time, and the fear strengthens over time. Fear becomes the architect of your life. Each time something is avoided, your world gets smaller. First it is crowds, then it is travel, and then it is restaurants. Gradually, major aspects of your life, like relationships, experiences, or opportunities get cut out simply because they involve discomfort. You are not living by intentional values, but by the subconscious rule of avoiding what makes you anxious.
And this illusion of control becomes a cage. You believe that you are in control by removing the stressors in your life, but the stressors and the fears end up controlling you. It governs everything, and limits your growth, freedom, and joy. True healing or freedom doesn’t come from eliminating fear. It comes from facing it. Exposure, not avoidance, leads to resilience.
Discomfort Is The Gateway To Growth
Whenever fear is the basis of your decisions, your life shrinks. Comfort is not always your friend. Expanding your life will require doing the hard things. Repurposing your life will require you to do the hard things. Feeling the fear and doing what you need to do anyway. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. Replace your fear with faith. Everything you want is waiting on the other side. Faith can do what fear cannot.
Your truth is a path to transformation. And fear is not your truth. Living authentically and
being true to yourself has a compounding effect. The more you honor your truth, the stronger your truth becomes, which helps you discover and align with your deeper and truer self. And this doesn’t have to be a struggle. A shift in your perspective and how you engage with those things that hold you back can make your path easier, and ultimately lead to ease, joy, and happiness.
Changing your path and your life starts with changing how you see it and what you focus on. What you give your mental and emotional energy to shapes your reality. Be aware of what triggers you. Also, be aware of what keeps you small. Be aware of those things that cause downward spirals, and shift to those things that cause upward momentum. This awareness is the first step towards regaining control over your experience.
If you feel like you have lost your way... Congratulations. If you are lost, that only means one thing. And that is that you are about to be found. Sometimes you need to lose your way in order to find a better way. Sometimes you have to lose certain things to gain better things. Sometimes certain doors have to close that you want to keep open, so that a better door can appear to you. So, have patience... Have faith... Never lose your belief... Never lose your worth... And know that better is coming for your life. But you have work to do.
It is time to Repurpose The Crooked Path
Learning Opportunity Along the Crooked Path -
Try this exercise -
AfterNotes 1 - (2) Eric Clapton - Change The World - YouTube
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