There is a profound power in embracing your true calling without holding on to a backup plan. I’ve come to realize this deeply through my own journey and the stories I’ve encountered along the way. In this article, I want to share with you the insights I’ve gathered about the strength and confidence that come from living fully present in your purpose and embrace your true calling, without the safety net of a fallback option. This is about acknowledging your authentic self and allowing your unique gifts to flow freely into the world.

The Strength in Uncertainty: A Lesson from Barbara Streisand

Barbara Streisand once said there is power and confidence in being uncertain. At first, this may sound paradoxical. How can uncertainty—a state that often feels scary or vulnerable—be a source of strength? But when I reflect on this, I realize that being present in uncertainty requires an immense amount of courage. It’s a willingness to be exactly who you are in the moment, without needing to control the outcome or pretend to be something you’re not.

This presence in uncertainty is a gift. It means you don’t have to perform or rehearse a version of yourself to fit expectations. You simply are. And that inner truth radiates a kind of confidence that no amount of preparation can replicate. It’s a reminder that our true power lies not in having all the answers, but in our willingness to show up as we are—even when we don’t know what’s next.

The Backup Plan: A Double-Edged Sword

One of the most powerful statements I’ve heard recently came from actor Jeremy Allen White during an awards acceptance speech. When asked if he always knew he wanted to be an actor, he said, “Yes, because I didn’t have a backup plan.” Those five words struck a chord deep within me. Having a backup plan is often seen as responsible or pragmatic, but it can also create an opening for doubt and hesitation. It gives you permission to not fully commit because you always have somewhere else to go.

Recently, during one of my weekly Instagram Lives, a viewer shared this with me: "In my own life, I experienced this firsthand. Early on, I wanted to become an author, but my parents encouraged me to pursue chiropractic because it was a recognized profession with a clear path—a backup plan, so to speak. I agreed, thinking I could always fall back on chiropractic if my writing didn’t work out. And so, I became a chiropractor. It was a good thing, but it wasn’t my true calling."

For years, my focus was just at divided. I also practiced chiropractic while nurturing a deeper desire to facilitate healing in a broader sense. I even hired other chiropractors to manage my practice so I could explore healing more freely. But my backup plan held me back. It wasn’t until I legally gave up my practice, with no fallback, that I truly stepped into my purpose. The moment I had no backup plan, I found the courage and clarity to fully embrace my true calling.

Why Backup Plans Can Hold You Back

Backup plans are often created out of fear—fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of not being enough. They give us a sense of safety, but they also create a divided focus. When you’re holding on to a backup plan, you’re not fully invested in your primary path. You’re hedging your bets, which can prevent you from experiencing the full power of your potential.

Think about it: if you always have an alternative, you might unconsciously prepare for that alternative more than your true passion. This mindset subtly undermines your confidence and dilutes your energy. It’s like trying to run a race while carrying a heavy backpack. You might still move forward, but never at your fastest or fullest capacity.

In healing, this is especially important. Many who study multiple healing techniques do so because they are afraid that one method might not be enough. They keep adding more and more “backup plans” in the form of new techniques. But this often leads to confusion and scattered energy, rather than mastery and presence.

The Power of Commitment: A Lesson from Other Professions

Look at professions like doctors, dentists, and lawyers. They invest years of study and training into one specialty. They don’t jump from one profession to another every weekend. Why? Because true mastery and presence come from commitment. They build their reputation and expertise by focusing deeply on one path and serving their clients with dedication.

Similarly, if healing is your calling, it requires your full presence and commitment. If it remains a hobby or a side interest with backup plans ready to activate, it will be difficult to reach the depth and impact that your soul desires. The world needs healers who are fully present, fully committed, and fully themselves.

How to Embrace Your True Calling Without a Backup Plan

So, how do you embrace your true calling without a backup plan? It begins with a shift in mindset and a willingness to be vulnerable. Here are some ideas to help you along this path:

1. Recognize the backup plans you hold: Take inventory of the “what ifs” that keep you from fully committing. What are you afraid will happen if you don’t have a safety net?

2. Reflect on your authentic desire: What is it that truly calls to you? What is the thing that you feel compelled to do, regardless of outcome?

3. Allow yourself to be present in uncertainty: Practice being comfortable with not knowing all the answers. Trust that your presence and authenticity are enough.

4. Take a leap of faith: When you feel ready, let go of your backup plan. This doesn’t mean being reckless, but rather choosing to fully engage with your true path.

5. Surround yourself with support: Find communities and mentors who encourage you to be your true self and allow your journey to unfold.

A Story of Commitment and Transformation

I want to share a story that beautifully illustrates this principle. There was a man named Mohammed II who spent 20 years training to be an orator. Despite his dedication, he struggled to succeed in that role and eventually stopped. One day, he heard a divine message telling him to speak—not for ego, but to serve a higher purpose.

This story reminds us that our talents and efforts are not just for personal gain or recognition. When we use our gifts to serve something greater than ourselves, we tap into a profound source of power and fulfillment. It’s not about perfection or success as defined by the world, but about true service that transforms both ourselves and others.

The Spiritual Perspective: Serving the Infinite

For me, being a healer means serving the Infinite Intelligence of the Universe. It’s about channeling healing energy through me, not for me. This perspective shifts the focus from ego-driven success to soulful contribution. Jeremy Allen White serves his craft with this same dedication, and many phenomenal actors, speakers, and spiritual leaders do as well.

When you embrace your true calling without a backup plan, you align yourself with this infinite flow. You become a conduit for healing, transformation, and light. This is the highest form of presence and service.

What About You? Are You Ready to Let Go?

Now, I invite you to reflect on your own life. What is your true calling? What would it look like if you embraced it fully, without a backup plan? How would your life change if you stopped preparing for failure and started preparing for presence and success?

Many people I’ve worked with have studied multiple healing techniques, always moving from one to another, never fully committing. They keep backup plans as a way to protect themselves. But this only leads to a scattered life. The most profound healing and growth come when you choose one path and walk it with courage and authenticity.

The Ultimate Invitation: Live Without Backup Plans

Imagine your life without a backup plan. What does that feel like? It might feel scary, vulnerable, and uncertain. But it also feels powerful, free, and genuine. It feels like you are truly living your purpose.

There is a beautiful analogy from Christian tradition where, at the end of life, you stand before Saint Peter who opens a book to find your name. The question is whether you embraced your calling or lived your life as a backup plan. While this is a story, not a literal judgment, it invites us to look deeply at how we live our lives and whether we are truly present in our purpose.

How to Begin Your Journey Today

If you feel called to healing or any other path, I encourage you to do the following:

• Commit to your path without reservation.

• Release the need for a backup plan as a safety net.

• Practice presence and authenticity in all you do.

• Seek out communities that support your growth, like the Reconnective Life Community.

• Explore learning opportunities such as those offered by Reconnective Academy to deepen your healing practice.

Remember, the most profound healing comes not from trying harder or knowing more, but from being fully present and allowing the energy to flow through you.

Final Thoughts

Leaving your backup plan behind is not about recklessness or irresponsibility. It’s about trusting in your true calling and the support of the Universe. It’s about recognizing that your presence and true self are your greatest gifts. When you embrace your true calling, without a safety net, you open the door to transformation—not just for yourself, but for everyone you touch.

I invite you to join me in this journey of presence, courage, and healing. Let go of your backup plans. Be your power. Embrace your true calling and live the life you were meant to live.

For those interested in exploring this path further, I encourage you to visit Reconnective Academy to learn Reconnective Healing® in-person, or join our free Reconnective Life Community for ongoing support and study.

Thank you for sharing this space with me. Remember, healing is you. We are. There is so much more to explore and share. Until next time, allow your true calling to lead the way.