A Window to Infinity on a Beach in Bali
It’s been coming up so consistently and so persistently, this idea of “purpose”. In business, in love, in all areas of my life I’ve been confronted with the realization that to clearly identify one’s purpose is FUNDAMENTAL to feeling and being alive. It’s the goal of the game of Life, so if you’ve not articulated it for yourself, you may feel like your wheels are spinning or just generally feel disinterested and disengaged from Life!
On last night’s WISH call, there were some brave souls who piped up about feeling off-purpose, and the conversations led us to some beautiful places. I promised to share a few things and decided that I would do that here, in case the information could be of service to you as well.
It’s All About Purpose
Here are a few things I’ve learned about “purpose” recently:
- It’s not about what you can accumulate for yourself, as much as it is about what you can contribute to life, to others, to the world. It’s a goal that you define for yourself, your company, or a relationship.
- Most people grossly underestimate their purpose. They set the target too low, when what they really are inspired to do is greater.
- Your purpose must be clearly defined in its expression. When you read it, you’ve got to “get” what it means.
- Your purpose needs to distinguish itself in some way. What sets this apart?
- Your purpose needs to inspire and engage you and others to get involved.
- When your purpose is clear, you know it. Everyone knows it, and once you get it down, it just goes!
Before heading to Bali, I attended a couple workshops with friends and my “homework” assignment was to articulate my purpose. Three times in a row I didn’t do my homework. I had the tools, I had the definitions, yet the words wouldn’t bubble up from within.
I was feeling a bit frustrated with myself that I wasn’t just sitting down to write it out, though I knew it was there brewing in the back of my being and so trusted that it would come out in time. Danielle sent me an email the other day and I saw written in it Sheri McConnel’s mission for her business. I set myself a target to complete writing the purpose for the business (and me) before noon the next day.
After a bit of a wrestling match with words, this came bubbling up from within:
Through fresh food and witty inspiration, we strive to create an uprising of one women’s love for herself, and to restore belief in her limitless potential, because by her grace and by her glow, one woman committed to achieving the health, wealth and love she deserves will transform the world.
The Missing Pieces and How I Found Them
I couldn’t have put it all together like this if I’d tried to articulate it sooner. The email from Danielle and a key experience in Bali, as well as the marinating of ideas in my being all had to happen the way they did. But reading this I feel SO clear, I feel SO inspired and driven and I LOVE MY PURPOSE!!
How I Found a Piece of My Purpose in Bali
While in Bali, I went for my first ever cranio sacral treatment. It was SUCH an incredible experience. I had no expectations and knew nothing about it, so went feeling wide open to receive whatever I was able.
It was magical for me. Without ever touching my body, I could literally feel her working deep into my spine. It was as though doors that had been opened too fast or too quickly at different times in my life left wind and sensitivity in my spine. She somehow seemed to seal things up inside. She dusted off my inner altar, closed the leaks, soothed the places that hurt, then sealed it all off with a windy sort of kiss. If this all sounds hocus pocus, it was! And I loved it!!
It lasted about an hour, and when it was all over, I let her know what I had experienced, and summed it all up according to me. Then she said, I’d like to tell you something and I have a song for you. She played me a song that came from some kundalini yoga music, the lyrics of which expressed that it’s “by your grace” that you’ll express the light of the Divine onto the world.
Tears seeped up from some place deep within as I confronted the sense of pursuit I’d carried with me until that moment. I can look back and feel a sense of “toughness” about so many things I’d done until that point. As if to get to where I wanted to go I had to fight, wrestle, persist and force my way through things. And often I did. But as the tears trickled through (as they seem to be doing now ;-)) I understood that I didn’t need to fight or force my way to the fullest expression of myself anymore.
Now, I could just do it by my grace.
I was being given permission to let go of the “tough stuff.” It’s not by my effort, but my innocence. Not my by strength of spirit, but by the depth of my love.
By my grace!
I wouldn’t have been able to piece it all together and articulate my purpose this way, if I hadn’t experienced all the little pieces that brought me here.
Love Where You Are, Trust Where You’re Going
Sometimes it’s easy to feel lost, misdirected, frustrated with where we are because we think we need to be somewhere else, and yet it’s as though things are all perfectly orchestrated in ways we cannot understand until we look back with gratitude for what has been and develop an unshakable belief in what is to come.
Celebrate what is with gratitude, and put your eyes on the prize. You’re closer than you think to where you want to be. Trust and celebrate each moment as the perfect stepping stone to the next place you’ll land, and know that you’re on your way.
Cuz sister, you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t. 😉
Love and grace,
Tera
I’d love to hear your purpose, if you want to work it out here in the space below, just imagine how sharing your purpose with tens of thousands of other women would strengthen it! Put it out there, Beauty! What’s YOUR purpose! If you want help articulating your purpose, feel free to start the conversation and we can work through it in the space below…