Do you want to walk with purpose and direction, knowing exactly where you’re going and what you intend to do?
These are all things that I’ve craved. Perhaps craved is too light of a word. I’ve hungered from the bottom of my soul and yearned like my heart and head was on fire, for the kind of depth and purpose that shakes the foundations with presence.
Through much seeking, sitting, breathing, questioning and contemplating I’ve discovered truths, practices and mantras for getting back to purpose and depth.
With that said, that brings us to the first lesson.
- PRACTICE HAS AN INVERSE RELATIONSHIP TO DISTRACTION
The more you practice, the harder it gets for you to become distracted and thrown off.
So… treat your practice with seriousness, and don’t sweat the small stuffs.
- Every moment is practice
Some quotes you hear and they stick with you forever. When I heard this one I couldn’t shake it off.
“The way you do anything is the way you do everything.” —Suzanne Evans
When you see not just sitting on your cushion or working on the mat as practice, everything changes.
- ANCHOR YOUR MOMENT-BY-MOMENT PRACTICE WITH A MORNING RITUAL
When you anchor your day with meditation and depth as the first thing you do, your whole day feels more intentional.
- Ask, “What is my purpose in this moment?”
Your purpose is NOT static. The sooner you can accept this, the easier things will be for you.
Your purpose will change, from moment to moment, depending on where you are, what you’re doing and who you’re with. In one moment your purpose might be to play basketball with a kid without a dad, and in the next it may be to write a chapter in your novel.
Your purpose is whatever is most needed and feels best to your heart in that moment.
- YOUR PURPOSE HAS A THEME
While your purpose may change from moment to moment, you do have an overarching theme. This will be determined based on your unique gifts, your life experience and the way love moves you.
- Others can help you locate your theme better than you can
You’re too close to your gifts to see them clearly. And the more disconnected you are from your heart, the harder it is for you to see it.
Therefore, it can be extremely valuable to get feedback from others. They can be a mirror for you to see your greatness and potential.
Think about what people often thank you for and when you’ve felt most alive.
- BECOMING WHO YOU ARE IS YOUR DEEPEST PURPOSE
The more you become who you most deeply are at your core, the more you live your purpose.
However, you will be more limited in expressing your purpose if you don’t have your basic needs met. The more you’re loved and taken care of — physically, emotionally, spiritually — the more you’re able to give your gifts with power.
You can give your gifts regardless, but it can be much easier when you’re not weighed down with constant financial and home security.
- YOUR BODY CAN LIMIT OR EXPAND YOUR PURPOSE
The way you stand and sit can transmit either peace or depression. Your purpose is lived through your body. The more you embody your purpose and are aware of your posture and movement, the more you can influence others.
The more you breathe deeply, the more you can become inspired with energy to give your purpose.
The healthier you are, the more energy you have to create, share and affect the world.
- The way your purpose moves you will change with the seasons of your life
For some period of time, you may be called to serve in a certain capacity, perhaps through dancing and creating art. Then that calling may decline and you may be drawn to restoring vintage cars or protecting local wildlife.
Your gifts remain at the core of who you are, but the expression of your gifts may change over time.
Your work is to experiment, test and play until you find the expression that is most resonant with the core of who you are and the season of your life.
To Your Success!
Martine
