The Wonderful Truth
You are here for a purpose, and that is to be the fullest, highest, and most radiant version of yourself.
Stop for a moment.
Close your eyes.
Feel into your being, your essence.
What is your soul’s theme for this lifetime?
What did you come here to understand, create, experience, master?
Is it Freedom? Creativity? Teaching? Unconditional love? Tranquility? Connection? Service? Adventure? Healing? Leadership? Humor? Forgiveness?
Filling up the emptiness
The reason I offer this question is this:
As long as we are ignoring or straying too far from our soul’s theme, our true calling, we will feel a gnawing emptiness inside, sometimes barely perceptible, sometimes loud and fierce.
We will naturally want to FILL it up with something, whether it be ice cream, work, shoes, lovers, YouTube, or babies (etc.). These are not harmful in themselves (obviously, they can be amazing!), but when grasped at in an unconscious way, to fill an unconscious need, they lead us further away from ourselves – and are ultimately unfulfilling.
Because they will never satisfy our true craving….to be our brightest, wildest, fullest, and highest selves.
Wake up from the sleep of unconsciousness
I remember over 9 years ago when I was living in Manhattan, having just started my Ph.D. program at Columbia University…. I didn’t realize I was off-path because I honestly didn’t know there was anything better for me. What I was doing felt pretty cool. Or at least good enough.
I was good at school. I liked Buddhism. Practical life path: Get a PhD and become a professor.
Practicality, safety, approval, comfort, and not failing were my highest values at the time – typical concerns for an Asian daughter, but also quite universal (as I’ve seen in my coaching work).
When we don’t yet deeply KNOW and LOVE ourselves, it’s impossible to imagine the heights, the joy, the excitement, the fulfillment that it’s possible to experience.
Some of my biggest joys at the time were: food, watching TV series, going to the movies, smoking weed, and having sex with my boyfriend.
THESE are the things that I would look forward to in between going to classes and studying for classes.
THESE are the things that truly prevented me from feeling utterly depressed and unable to go on with this kind of life.
But these are also the things that kept me numb and prevented me from questioning myself and my current life path.
In case you don’t know how the story turned out, I found my calling and quit my Ph.D. This, right here, connecting with you, sharing, and offering my gifts and wisdom, is it. I am living my calling. 🙂
An Invitation
I invite you now to gently reflect on yourself and your daily patterns.
If you find yourself over-consuming sugar or junk food, wasting time on Facebook, drinking or smoking more than feels healthy, zoning out to TV series, or doing anything else in a compulsive manner that feels icky afterwards…
Is there something deeper you’re craving that it may be the perfect time to explore?
Yes, I do mean your heart’s deepest calling. Your soul’s purpose. Your life’s theme.
These steps will help you inquire into this question:
Step 1: Expand your imagination.
For a few minutes, take off the blinders of what you “think” is possible for you and just IMAGINE what you would love to do, create, and experience during the long life ahead of you. It need not have ANY connection to what your life looks life right now.
Close your eyes and let your imagination play, dance, expand without limitations.
How do you see the most expanded, joyful version of yourself? What is she doing? How is she connecting with people?! What is the mark she is leaving on the world?
Do not let worry or fear creep in right now. Give yourself permission to be as WILD and unrealistic as you possibly can.
Step 2: Put it on paper.
Now take a blank piece of paper and write or draw everything that your beautiful mind has just conjured up. Again, put your judgement or fear on temporary mute. This is YOUR dream. It is precious and sacred, and you can keep it all to yourself until you are ready to share it with the world.
Step 3: Draw out the themes.
What do you see when you look at what just poured out of your heart onto the page?
What is calling your soul? What brings you excitement and joy? What feels important and valuable to you?
Write down the themes that you see – what you love to do, create, experience, what you value, how you want to serve, etc.
Step 4: Reflect on your life right now.
Go through your daily routines. Reflect on the typical experiences, feelings, and thoughts you have. Take inventory of what you’ve created lately, whether with your mind, words, or hands.
How in alignment with your deepest desires are you living? How close or far from the most expanded vision for your life are you? To what degree are you walking on the path toward your beautiful dreams?
Step 5: Opening the heart and mind.
Wherever you are on your journey, here are a couple practices to help connect more and more with your true craving.
Meditation: Close your eyes and place your hand on your heart. As you breathe, imagine your heart opening and expanding. Notice how much you are able to connect with the energy of Love.
Affirmation: I AM WILLING TO CHANGE. Practice this 5 times a day. Touching your throat (the center of transformation in the body!) can greatly enhance this practice.
If you would like support in releasing the past and calling forth your true self to play, create, and serve on this Earth, let’s work together!
Photo by Ronaldo Oliveira on Unsplash