Often described as the round peg in the square hole. Or worse, the square peg that can’t even get into the round hole.

If this is how you feel, then it doesn’t mean that there is something wrong or lacking in you.
It’s just that the environment, the context, or simply the timing isn’t as yet a perfect fit for your way of thinking, for your unique contribution, for your life purpose.

Feeling out-of-place, over-looked, or not being understood, let alone not feeling valued or appreciated, is an unpleasant feeling. It can lead to feelings of loneliness, a sense that you don’t belong, or that you even matter.

But it’s NOT true. It’s a delusion and you have to kick those thoughts into the long grass because they serve no one, especially yourself, as the truth is you matter PROFOUNDLY.

So what can you do? What are the strategies to choose from? First, you have to believe that NOTHING IS WRONG. The saying “What is in the way, is the way” is always the truth of it.  Most of us are constantly feeling challenged and in overwhelm.  Yet whatever we face is there to grow us, or possibly redirect us, so as to help us achieve complete self-fulfilment in our lives. Whether what is “in the way” is where we learn to access the deeper layers of our innate qualities and courage, or to cultivate new ways of thinking and being, it’s not about coping – that’s just a defence, a treading of water. It’s about growing, which can only happen when we un-tighten, un-clench, start to embrace the issue full-on, and “lean into the curve”.

Like every test paper, you first have to be clear about what is being asked of you. In particular, does it specifically point to aspects within my character where you could usefully grow or change?  Self-fulfilment comes from living with authenticity – and authenticity comes from having complete alignment between your dreams and your actions; between your heart, head and hands.

This is the opportunity, the invitation, the task that’s really being asked of you.