learning to follow the heart

Four months ago,

I packed up my bags in Utah and flew to Hawaii with just a carry on and my guitar. On the flight, I randomly put on the Bob Dylan movie, and what's the first scene in that movie? It's Bob moving to a new city all alone just carrying his guitar. It felt like the universe was speaking to me, follow your heart and the path will unfold.

Why Hawaii?

I honestly didn’t have a “reason”. When the idea came to me, it just felt undeniable. After six years in Utah everything was great, dangerously good. It felt like if I didn't move now, I'd never have a reason to leave.

It was just one of those feelings that I knew if I didn't act upon would eventually just fade into the ether. To me, that is what following the heart is all about.

The Trap of Comfort

Life in Utah was amazing. I coached skiing for work, lived with my brother and best friends, and was surrounded by an amazing community in the SLC music scene. Everything felt complete - I could do this forever. It was the life that I once used to dream about.

But that was the problem, it was too easy to imagine staying there forever. Comfort is seductive because it feels safe, but it can also quietly stop you from growing.

Then one day, out of nowhere, my friend brought up to me the idea of moving to Hawaii. My body lit up, and I got that unexplainable feeling of excitement.

Waiting for "The Right Time"

As soon as the idea of moving to Hawaii came up, I booked a one-way flight. I had to lock it in fast or like any other feeling - it would fade away and I'd move on. I've gotten that same feeling before with business ideas, travel, music, you name it. You get so excited but then as the initial fire cools off - your brain starts to interfere. What if, how am I gonna, can I even, etc..

Logically it didn't make sense to move. I had no job lined up, I had little to no money saved, and I knew nobody on the island. On paper it would seem reckless. But weirdly, thats almost why it made the most sense to do it now. I had nothing to lose. Fed up with so many half-hearted commitments in my past, I knew I had to fully commit now or I'd continue to live in the same loops that I had been in. This move was my proof: the ‘right time’ is nothing more than a myth.

From The Gene Keys:

“There are so many rewards and fruits waiting for you if you can stand by your decisions and follow them through to their natural, organic conclusions.”

Trust Your Heart

Now I've been in Oahu for four months I can happily report back that there were literally fruits waiting for me here. My favorites being white pineapple, avocados, and mangos. But more importantly, I broke old loops and in their place have found more drive, discipline, purpose, and trust in my life.

I am learning that the more I listen to those feelings from the heart, the more things start to naturally align, and the clearer that voice from within becomes audible.

A good line from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho captures this:

"Why dont people's hearts tell them to continue to follow their dreams" the boy asked the alchemist.

"Because thats what makes the heart suffer most, and hearts dont like to suffer." the alchemist replied.

The point is: the more you dismiss your heart, the quieter it becomes - until one day you just accept life for what it is. And there is nothing wrong with that it just depends on what you want. To live half-heartedly is to invite misery into your life.

Embrace your heart. Trust your decisions. Never worry about the consequences.

Thanks for being here,

Stoked to share some of my journey and insights on here. I also have a song about following your heart,

Until next time.