This Sitcom Gave Me A Life-Changing Epiphany

The main character (and I) had a life-affirming realization at the same time.

Have You Ever Had An Epiphany Watching A TV show?

I had one, watching Modern Family.

It’s the one where Phil realizes he missed a call to be a magician on a cruise ship. I suggest you watch it, it’s called, “10 Years Later.”

He’s angry because Jay didn’t tell him he got the call, and he missed his chance to live his dream.

He’s super angry and bitter.

I can relate because for years and years this was me.

Then Jay Asks Phil The Question That Changes Everything

It’s a great question to ask yourself, especially if you feel like you missed out on something in your past or if, like most people, you have unfinished business in the dreams department.

The question is:

Do you like your life now despite not living that dream or achieving that goal?

How did you answer?

Let’s examine some answers and what they could mean.

If You Answered Full-On Yes

This means there are no unanswered questions. You’re exactly where you want to be. You’ve been true to yourself and made it to where you want to be.

In that case, you’re in great shape.

That’s awesome, congratulations!

I’m not sure many people out there feel like they’re precisely where they should be, though, and that’s okay.

If You’re Lamenting The Loss Of What Could Have Been And You’re Bitter And Angry

That’s okay too. It doesn’t have to be a paralyzing life sentence.

It just means your mission is apparent.

You need to sort your feelings out and then jump back on that vision. You can dig yourself out of that emotional hole. It might take some work, but I know it can be done. How? Because I’ve been in some pretty deep holes myself.

Detaching yourself from the idea that those dreams were everything and the only thing that gave your life substance can help. Recognizing that achievement isn’t the only path to happiness is another.

If you can separate the grief about how you think your dream would have served you from what’s really hurting you inside it becomes easier to get past that emotional hurdle. If you’re making that dream the be-all and end-all you might be masking something else.

At least for me, it did.

I spent years in therapy figuring myself out. Then I went on to carve out a wonderful life filled with joy and satisfaction but there was still something missing.

If You’re Happy With Your Life But Still Feel Like There’s Something You Need To Do

This probably means you’re in just the right place to take that next step.

It’s time to revisit those dreams and regroup to tackle them.

That’s exactly where I found myself a few years ago.

Here’s My Story - See If You Can Relate

I was happy. I had a happy home life and a good job, but I still felt I had unfinished business.

I was a musician in my younger days.

I loved it, and it was all I wanted to do, but life got in the way. I burned out at 31 and gave it all up. I always regretted quitting even though, at the time, I was spent.

But, it wasn’t just making music I missed the most.

For me, I needed a mask for the feelings of abandonment and shame I developed in childhood. Performing on stage made them evaporate at the moment, and I was addicted to the relief.

Those feelings totally eclipsed the pleasure I got from the creative process, and I didn’t even realize how much I loved simply making music.

Walking away from it left a massive hole in my life that I mourned for years.

Luckily with lots of therapy, a good dose of self-help, and the love of my husband, the hole in my soul filled up with joy and eventually healed.

But somehow, the longing to express my creativity didn’t fade.

So, Two Years Ago, At 51, I Decided To Do Something About It

I bought a new guitar and practiced every day for a year. I wrote a bunch of new songs and revisited some old ones. I got a recording project started and even managed to release one song.

Here’s The Thing

I’m not particularly impressive. I’m not anything special.

The only thing I did that maybe you haven’t is I decided to act.

Also, I’m not rich if you’re thinking that’s how I did it all. I made money to fund these projects by selling stuff on Facebook. I’m not kidding!

So, I consider myself to be living proof that if there’s a will, there’s a way.

Addressing that dream and working on it gave me a level of contentment I’ve never known because of my starting point this time. Pursuing something I love and setting new goals gave me a renewed sense of purpose.

Approaching these unrealized dreams from a place of health and happiness has been life-changing.

If you have a dream or passion and you feel like you’ve missed the boat, know that you can reimagine that ship at any age, and relaunch it.

I Spent Years Grieving What Could Have Been

It was crippling and terrible. But I realized that if I’d had success back then, it probably would have killed me.

I’d have never gotten to live this life that I love so much. So I’m actually grateful that those opportunities fizzled.

That’s Also Phil’s Epiphany

But that doesn’t mean you’re resigning yourself to the fact that your dreams are dead, it’s actually quite the opposite.

• You can revisit a dream in a healthier state.
• You can cherry-pick the best of what you loved and enjoy it more.
• If you still need to work on yourself, that’s okay too.

There is a myriad of ways to do that. If you can afford professional help, that’s amazing! If not, you can still work towards your healing. You can try meditation, mindfulness, tapping, journaling, or NLP. Those are just a few self-help methods that work.

Once you get your issues under control, you can really start living.

Just keep going and do the inner work, and when you’re ready, you’ll discover something magical.

Your dreams aren’t dead! They’re still there waiting for you.

When you get your inner World sorted out, you’ll be in the perfect position to really make the most of them.

In The End

Phil realizes that even though he missed that cruise, he’s loved the way his life has turned out, and there’s a surprise at the end that makes it even better.

Life on TV always wraps up in a nice tidy package, life is a bit messier, but you can get there in the end.

Asking yourself that question can be a real game-changer. It’s the one question you can revisit over and over when you need to put things into perspective.

It’s the only question you ever need to ask.❤

Thanks for reading!

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