Live Your Life
by Joshua Rosenthal • NYC

Have you noticed how the world does what Americans do? Americans smoke Marlboro, so the world smokes Marlboro. Americans eat McDonalds, and the rest of the world follows. And as Americans rely on addictive stimulants like coffee, sugar and cigarettes to work faster and harder, the rest of the world follows suit. Something is not right with the system. How can we get off of this treadmill and create a new future?

In our fast-paced society, many of us feel pressure to conform to what our family, friends and society expect us to do. Many people feel it’s their duty to work in a corporate job, get married, have kids and retire. But did you ever stop to consider whether that’s the right path for you?

Your friends might love their jobs, but you might feel stressed out and dragged down. Think back to when you were a child. What did you want to do when you grew up? Did you dream of being an astronaut or dancer? Maybe your dreams and aspirations have changed, but it’s important to acknowledge what they were. Is there a part of you that still wants to be an astronaut?

As a Health Counselor and a teacher I encourage my clients and students to “fit out.” This means that instead of conforming to what society expects you to do, find what you truly want to do.

Everyone has a predictable future, a future that would automatically occur by continuing to fit in, following the rules and moving along in the expected way. I had a predictable future. I was raised in an Orthodox Jewish household. I was taught to fit in, not attract unnecessary attention and pretend I was just like everyone else. That’s why it’s easy for me to spot in others the tendency to conform. I have noticed that when people make changes to their lifestyle, they sometimes try to hide it or play it down. So as you’re starting to make healthier choices, I encourage you to be open about it and share with others what you are about.

The best way to “fit out” is to forget about the past, stop worrying about the future and live in the present. What do you want to do at this point in time? The truth is you can’t change what happened yesterday, three years ago or 10 years ago. Live today.

The more we slow down and understand ourselves, the more flexible and present we become. Too many people live life based on events that happened a long time ago: a difficult relationship with a parent, a humiliating situation at school or a challenging relationship that ended in an unsatisfying way. Many others live life as though we are
constantly in preparation for something in the future, missing the beauty of the moment. It’s time to snap out of this mentality. The past is over. The future never arrives. All you have is the present. The present is a gift, yours to treasure every moment, every day, in every way.

If you live your life according to what you “should” do you will be more likely to feel stressed out, unhappy and choose foods that do not support your health. Think about it. Have you ever known someone who was completely fulfilled in their career to drink 10 cups of coffee a day and hit the vending machine for a middle-of-the-afternoon candy bar? When people are happy they are more likely to fill their lives with nourishing food, relationships and exercise. You will notice that as you embrace your creative passions, your health will improve. So if you still desire to be a dancer, take some classes, go to the ballet.

Escaping the need to fit in is challenging and rewarding. I’d like you to pause for a moment and reflect on how much of your intelligence and creativity is being channeled into “fitting in.” How much of that intelligence and creativity could you use in a more authentic way? I have found that if you put the same amount of effort into “fitting out”—giving yourself permission to dream big and follow a path that nourishes your soul—you’ll become much happier and more content.

Start by noticing the places in your life where you feel inauthentic. In what circumstances do you try to fit into other people’s expectations? Start building the confidence to express your true self at all times, to embrace what makes you different. By expressing your authentic self, your life will never look the same.

Once you are able to create a dynamic future by “fitting out,” you can help others do the same. Encourage people to find their creative passions and to live the life of their dreams. It’s a change we desperately need.

Here are steps you can take to find your creative passion and live the life of your dreams.

1. Write down the elements that are most meaningful to your life, such as relationships, children, career, health and spirituality.

2. Write down what you want to accomplish or obtain, the places you want to go, the people you’d like to meet or become close with, or anything that your heart, mind and soul truly desire. Be specific.

3. Write down three small steps you could take today to start living your dreams. Perhaps you could sign up for a dance class, call an old friend or talk with a travel agent.

4. Take those three steps. Enjoy!

Tip: Allow yourself to go crazy—write down all that you desire. Begin with the simple and obvious, and you will notice that more ideas come to you once you start writing.

Joshua Rosenthal is the founder and director of Integrative Nutrition in New York City—a nutrition school that trains individuals to become certified health counselors and gives them the business tools they need to launch a practice. Integrative Nutrition is the largest nutrition school in the world, offering students access to the world’s foremost authorities on health and nutrition, as well as a certificate from Purchase College of The State University of New York (SUNY). www.integrativenutrition.com.