If you regularly read my blog, you will know that I tend to take anything sold by the ‘quote a minute’ self help American gurus with a large pinch of salt. One of the central planks of the success brigade is that if you decide where you are going, the world will conspire to help you.

I must say though that since my ‘Your Place In The Sun’ post, I cannot seem to get away from Brazil. For example, I am currently reading a book titled 'The Alchemist' by a Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho. I have always intended to read the book after watching a Will Smith (the actor) interview, long before my holiday, in which he mentioned the book. The book does not have anything to do with Brazil but one of the main themes (I have yet to finish it, so far so good) is about how the world appears to help you when you on your journey to your purpose in life! Weird or what?

Since I made my decision to move on and do something different with my life, I seem to see lots of opportunities popping up all around me. I do not believe it is the world that is conspiring with me, it is me.

Once you make a decision, you open your eyes to the possible routes to achieve the target. For example, if you decide to change jobs, you will not see the greater opportunities until you commit yourself to the idea, just saying ‘I need a new job’ is not going to cut it most times. There will be ‘no jobs out there’ if you are making a half hearted attempt. If you have to either out of necessity or because of your strong commitment, you will see job opportunities that you would not otherwise have considered.

This effect is real. If you need or want to change something in your life and the opportunity to do so appears elusive, question your motives and your commitment. Sometimes we desire things that deep down in our hearts we know are impossible for us, I want to be a pop star but I can’t hold a tune. If you recognise those fantasies then they cease to make you unhappy, they become your little indulgencies, your little escapes. What you should be left with then, are those things that are true for you and it is those things, once you are committed, that the world will conspire to help you with.

May you find the balance.

[First published on my Talking2Myself blog on specified date]