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Step Off the Beaten Path, and Blaze Your Own Trail

July 16, 2011 By 2 Comments

Nina Nelson (www.Shalommama.com) is another one of those awesome people who challenge your perceptions. She’s just… freaking great, really. I asked her to write something about her journey into nonconformity – and dammit, she delivered:

The Nelson fam: 9 years of marriage, 4 kids, and 1 hell of a good story.

My name is Nina and I’m a recovering conformist.

I stepped off the beaten path a few years ago when my eyes were suddenly opened and I saw that there was more to life than the American dream. As Shane Claiborne says, I went sane in a crazy world.

Refuse to Accept Mediocrity

I looked at my life and didn’t like what I saw. Everyday was the same and I was not fulfilled, not happy at all with my day when I reflected on it at night. Sadly, most people live like that everyday and won’t do a damn thing to change it. But all it takes is one decision. The decision that your life will be amazing, that you will make such an impact on this world that you can’t even fathom it now. One decision. Make it now.

Identify What You Want

What does an abundant life look like for you? Take the time to write out what you want. It doesn’t have to be just one thing. Dream big. And small. If you can envision it happening and have the desire, it will happen, even if you haven’t the slightest idea how.

Take ACTION!

You’ve decided that your life will be one that people talk about for years after your gone. Now you need to do something. Get rid of those possessions you don’t need. Turn off the TV and take walks instead. Reach out to people who are doing things you want to be doing. Just. Do. Something.

If you’re committed to being awesome, or even the slightest bit intrigued, you can read all the things I’ve done to turn my life into something worth talking about in my free action guide: Bring Your Passion to Life – Get Out of the Rut and Get What You Want.

Nothing is holding you back, take action today!

Nina Nelson is a mama, wife and student midwife. She writes at Shalom Mama where she helps others live more intentionally. Besides being married to a sexy fireman (her words, not mine) she’s way into herbal remedies. She makes ‘em cool, basically.

Filed Under: Blog, Guest Post, Nina Nelson
  • http://www.thenonconformistfamily.com Joshua Gordon

    I love how succinct this is, Nina: Identify what you want. Take action.  It almost sounds too easy, but most life-fixes start with exactly this. The question I have is: 

    How do I deal with the little voice(s) in my head that tell me it’s a pointless effort? In all honesty, I’ve tried and failed (again. and again. and again.) to change in a lot of areas, and sometimes it’s extremely tempting to throw in the towel.

    Thanks, dude. You’re killing it!

    - Josh

    • http://twitter.com/shalommama Nina Nelson

      Josh, like most things this is simple, not easy. I hear those voices all the time! The best way I’ve found to deal with them is to combat them with gratefulness. Be thankful for everything until you feel that turn in your attitude. And then try again. It takes time, but every step you take in the right direction is another victory over the negative demons.