The Rut Race
Author: Suz Andreasen

The search for meaning: the quest for greater happiness. Life is a series of questions that are as old as time. We all want to know why we live, why we die, and why we love. As humans, we invariably end up walking the line between what we want and what we already have. Without the presence of purpose our lives, we work to make ends meet, often feeling lost in the process of basic survival. Whether it is our jobs or our relationships, life is abundant with hard choices. We are often lured into activities that fill their lives, like eating too much, spending too much or working too much - but at the end of the day, we feel desperately unhappy and dissatisfied. We look in the mirror and ask: Why am I here? Why do I feel alone? How can I change?

Let’s face it ?we all get into ruts or moments when our days feel like an endless trip to the post office or a week at the dentist. Things get stale. I have often wondered how our own lack of initiative really can effect the changes that occur in our lives. Realistically, we are all going to run into roadblocks during our lives. No one lives in a vacuum. Yet, the real measure of how we get past these barriers is how we approach the issue of CHANGE. Whenever I talk to people about this topic, they usually tell me that while they like positive change, they are fearful of change on a global scale. Why? Because it forces them to make new definitions in their lives. They ask me how they can move beyond the limitations of their own lack of initiative, or self-determination.

My answer is always the same. Change is a gift.

Here are the top three signs that you are in a rut:

1. You seem to be always repeating the same patterns, never knowing how to make change.
2. You want more from others, but don’t expect more from yourself.
3. You dream of changing your life, but you wake up each morning in the same set of circumstances you experienced five years ago.

The search for authentic meaning in life may seem like a huge task. Yet, it’s more fulfilling to actually seek out new avenues of personal fulfillment than to let other people or life’s events do it for you. For example, many people try and make changes by going on a vacation, changing their wardrobes, or redecorating. They try to fix their exterior identity without looking at the interior cause of their unhappiness. These are all great ways to jumpstart your life, to break free of a rut. Beyond these things, however, is a more global way to escape the rut race. It’s the concept of truly believing in your presence in the world, a dedication to a purpose only you can truly achieve. Most of us don’t want to think about such large ideas because they may be painful. Embracing inner change may mean unraveling years or even decades of activity that has been central to your existence. You may need to make some big sacrifices ?letting go of a job, a relationship or perhaps a bad habi! t.

Here is some small change you can make today that will have a big impact.

1. Recognize opportunity.
2. Stop looking for the answers in other people ?find them for yourself.
3. Turn off the exterior sounds: The television, the radio, (yes even the computer) and focus on small goals you want to work toward.
4. Be flexible.
5. Forgive yourself.
6. Adapt to events that don’t go as you planned and accept them as part of the bigger picture.
7. Practice being disciplined and motivated on a small scale, one day at a time.
8. Romance the present.
9. Modify old ideas in favor of new challenges.
10. Love yourself in order to find your purpose.

It’s your life. You have a choice. You can either get off the conveyor belt and live your life creating happiness and a better world, or you can just stay where you are and dream of change. The bottom line is that it’s better to call your own shots, to embrace change in your relationships, in your job and in your world because that’s what makes life truly worthwhile.








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While many writers find their callings in life's events, SUZ ANDREASEN has been putting pen to paper since her childhood. Growing up in Iowa City, Iowa, the home of the writer's workshop, Suz often found solace and wonder in the world of her own creativity. Her view on writing has always remained poised within the land of the imaginal as she admired and was influenced by the writings of diverse linguists such as Martin Luther King, Tom Wolf, Charles Dickens and Blaise Pascal. Ms. Andreasen resides in New York City and her literary work is often centered in human mythology. She is well known for her writings on dream interpretation and spiritual potential and you can find her on American Online by visiting her channel, hitting Keyword: SUZ. Suz is also a succesful business woman as the founder and CEO of DearSuz.com: One on One Advice, today's leading metaphysical website. Her new book, Dreaming The Future brings the work of Suz Andreasen into the 21st Century and beyond.

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