??? your two purposes in life
I’m a day late from my usual publication date for this newsletter, but hopefully not a dollar short as I share with you a super juicy edition of Answer the Call.
I’ve just gotten back from a wonderful vacation.
We road-tripped and saw family in New England.
We hit Plymouth, Mass.,
Rhode Island,
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire,
and Bath, Maine where I dined on a massive lobster in a bib with butter dripping down my chin.
It was divine.
The highlight was the 3 days my husband and I spent in rural Massachusetts at a small A-frame camp where we were present in nature, got back to the basics, and enjoyed the rain on the riverfront from a small deck with a tiny wood stove crackling.
We cook every meal in a cast iron Dutch oven.
It was transcendent.
I can’t stress enough how minimal you need in life for maximum joy. So few understand this.
It was during this time that I re-listened to one of my favorite audiobooks that reminded me to reconnect to the present.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
When I listen to it, I pick up a new and powerful message every time.
This time, I picked up a gold nugget about our purpose in life, which as you know by now, is kind of my whole shpiel – finding your purpose and living it fully for a life of joy, meaning & fulfillment.
This leads me to today’s edition: your two purposes in life.
We have 2 purposes in life.
Your inner purpose and your outer purpose.
When we think of “our purpose” we almost always think about a career or job that’s super fulfilling and makes us money, right?
That’s only a small part of it.
The truth is, that every area of our life should give us purpose and joy.
For some, being a parent gives them purpose.
For others, their religious faith gives them purpose.
It’s so much more than finding what you’re meant to be doing and making a living doing it.
It’s about taking inspired action every day to build your life around what makes your heart soar despite living in a modern world that encourages the opposite.
Fortunately, when we discover our two purposes and build a life from the inside out around fulfilling them, then not only do we live our most incredible, happiest, and juiciest life, but we make the world a better place by doing so.
Every single person that steps up, tunes in, finds their joy, and shares it with others, makes a MASSIVE impact and spreads light in a world that needs it now more than ever.
Go back and re-read that last sentence because that’s the core fundamental for your outer purpose which we'll cover next.
Your outer purpose is very simple.
It's to discover what gives you joy and meaning and turn it into a service for others.
What gives each of us joy and meaning is completely different.
For some, it’s working with animals.
For others, it’s creating art.
For others, it’s strength.
For others, it’s being a teacher…or a healer…or a messenger.
And so on.
Your outer purpose is taking what gives you immense joy and meaning, and using it to serve others.?
If you are serving others without the power of joy, purpose, and meaning then you will find yourself at the center of a very empty and unfulfilling career or job.
If you’re unhappy in your career, I want you to look closely at what’s missing I can guarantee it comes down to one simple thing:?
The power and quality of your impact.
So the question becomes–how do we discover our outer purpose?
To do this, let’s explore a very important concept that comes from Japanese culture:
Ikigai.
Your outer purpose = your ikigai.
“Iki” means “to live”, and “gai” means “a purpose.”
So the two-part word means “a purpose to live.”
The word suggests that your purpose lies at the center of 4 things:
When we think of this in our career/work sense, it means that we’re doing what we’re meant to be doing because it’s at the intersection of those 4 things.
It’s not just our job our career….it’s our ikigai.
Mark Twain referred to this when he said:
“do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
When we’re living our ikigai, we feel connected to our work.
Being motivated and creative comes easily because we’re fueled by joy & fulfillment.
As long as you discover and live your Ikigai, both your heart and your bank account will be full.
It’s a Universal law!
And trust me when I tell you, that you’re closer to living your ikigai than you think.
In an earlier ATC edition about ikigai, I include a free worksheet to help you discover yours!
Now, let’s move on to the more important of your 2 purposes.
Your inner purpose.
Being present or mindful isn’t just a thing in life you should do more of…it’s your inner purpose.
It’s everyone’s inner purpose.
To live 100% and unequivocally in the now.
What does this mean?
We spend precious moments of our lives lost in thought.
Our mind is an endless flipping rolodex of thoughts about the past, the future, anything but right NOW.
We are not this rolodex. We are the entire office the rolodex is endlessly flipping in.
And yet, we live our lives lost in the endless flipping of this rolodex.
The rolodex features thoughts like:
“What do I need to get done today?”
“I’m not anywhere near my goals”
“I wish…”
“What if…”
“I can’t…”
“Will I?”
The real us, our true selves, our higher self, our higher consciousness, doesn’t give a damn about the endless thoughts in the rolodex.
Our true self wants to feel the wind, smell the flowers, feel the warmth of the sunshine, laugh with our kids, find joy in serving others, pet our dog, taste delicious food and overall, and live every single ticking second of our life fully.
Which, we can ONLY do if we’re fully in tune with the now.
Try it right now!
Take a second to stop.
I want to you look around you right now and take inventory of 5 things you see.
Now, I want you to close your eyes and take a nice deep breath.
Now let me ask you, during that time, did any of the following occur?
No. You didn’t. Know why?
Because it is impossible to give your time to absolutely any thought when you’re 100% in the now.
The future hasn’t happened.
The past is gone, like smoke in the wind.
The only way either of those things can hurt you batter you or make you anxious or afraid is if you give them what they feed on: time.
Living in the present requires mastering 2 things:
1) Recognize that your thoughts aren’t you.
Your are NOT the rolodex of your mind. You are the office the rolodex is in.
That means you can stash it in the storage closet and take it out when you need it. You can do this by taking awareness of your thoughts without judgement, and then go back to living in the now.
2) Develop awareness.
When we develop our awareness of what’s happening, what we’re doing, and overall just giving full attention to what’s happening around us in the present moment, we raise our frequency, tap into our inner power, and ignite our sense of joy.
The more you can become aware of when you’re slipping back into your rolodex instead of putting your feet up on the desk and taking in the world around you, the more you live in the present.
The more mindful you are, the more in tune you are with yourself and others, and so much more, such as…
Reduction of stress and anxiety.
Focusing on the present helps reduce stress and anxiety, which often arise from worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.
By being fully present, you can let go of what you can't control and focus on what you can do right now.
Enhanced mental clarity and focus.
When you concentrate on the present moment, your mind becomes clearer and more focused.
This helps you make better decisions and respond more effectively to challenges, as you're not distracted by past regrets or future uncertainties.
Greater emotional well-being.
Being present allows you to fully experience and process your emotions.
This helps you better understand your feelings and respond to them in healthy ways, leading to greater emotional well-being and resilience.
Increased appreciation and gratitude.
Living in the now enables you to appreciate the beauty and richness of each moment.
This heightened awareness can lead to a deeper sense of gratitude for the simple pleasures and experiences in life.
Deeper connections with others.
When you're fully present with others, you can engage in more meaningful and authentic interactions. This presence fosters deeper connections and enhances the quality of your relationships.
Improved quality of life.
By focusing on the present, you can fully engage in and enjoy life's experiences.
This engagement leads to a more fulfilling and meaningful life, as you're not missing out on the present by being preoccupied with the past or future.
Increased mindfulness and awareness.
Living in the now cultivates mindfulness, the practice of being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment.
This awareness helps you respond to situations with greater wisdom and compassion, rather than reacting impulsively.
Empowerment and control.
Being present empowers you to take control of your life.
You can't change the past, and the future is uncertain, but you can influence your present actions and choices. This focus on the now gives you the power to shape your life intentionally.
Spiritual growth and connection.
For many, living in the present moment is a spiritual practice that connects them to a deeper sense of purpose or a higher power. It allows for a greater sense of connection to the universe, life force, or divine presence.
Increased joy and fulfillment.
The present moment is where life happens.
By fully experiencing it, you open yourself up to more joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Each moment becomes an opportunity to experience life to the fullest.
So the question becomes….how can we live more in the now, when we have a noisy and demanding rolodex of a mind, AND we live in a world that consistently tries to bump us from the now?
For starters, every single passing moment gives you a new opportunity to make the shift back into the now.
You can do it right now.
Even becoming aware that you are lost in thought and making the shift back to the now is doing it.
Here are a few more practical tips to help you make that shift more frequently.
Practice mindful breathing.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to bring yourself into the present moment is to focus on your breath.
Take slow, deep breaths, paying attention to the sensation of air entering and leaving your lungs. You can also count your breaths or focus on the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen.
Engage your senses.
Use your five senses to ground yourself in the present. Notice what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
For example, pay attention to the texture of an object you're touching, the flavors of your food, or the sounds around you. This sensory awareness helps anchor you in the current moment.
Mindful walking.
When walking, focus on the sensation of each step, the movement of your body, and your surroundings.
Pay attention to the feeling of your feet making contact with the ground and the rhythm of your steps. This can be a meditative practice that helps you stay present.
Body scan meditation.
A body scan involves mentally scanning your body from head to toe, noticing any sensations, tension, or discomfort.
This practice helps you connect with your physical body and become more aware of how you're feeling in the moment.
Set reminders.
Set reminders or alarms on your phone or computer to prompt you to pause and check in with yourself.
Use these moments to take a few deep breaths, observe your surroundings, or simply be aware of your thoughts and emotions.
Limit multitasking.
Multitasking can fragment your attention and pull you away from the present moment. Try to focus on one task at a time, giving it your full attention.
This not only improves your efficiency but also helps you stay engaged in the present.
Mindful eating.
Eat your meals mindfully by savoring each bite and paying attention to the flavors, textures, and smells.
Avoid distractions like screens or reading while eating, and focus solely on the act of nourishing your body.
Use anchors.
Choose a specific word, phrase, or object as an anchor to remind you to return to the present moment.
For example, a bracelet, a stone in your pocket, or the word "now" can serve as a cue to pause and become mindful.
Practice gratitude.
Taking a moment to express gratitude can help shift your focus to the present.
Reflect on things you're grateful for in your current experience, whether it's a sunny day, a supportive friend, or a delicious meal.
Mindful listening.
When interacting with others, practice mindful listening by giving them your full attention. Focus on their words, tone, and body language, without thinking about your response.
This not only improves communication but also keeps you present in the conversation.
Meditation.
Regular meditation practice can enhance your ability to stay present. Even just a few minutes a day can help you develop greater mindfulness and awareness.
You can start with guided meditations or simply sit in silence, observing your thoughts without attachment.
Observe your thoughts.
Rather than getting caught up in your thoughts, observe them as they arise. Recognize that thoughts are just mental events and not necessarily reflections of reality.
This detachment helps you stay anchored in the present rather than being carried away by mental narratives.
Create a mindful routine.
Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routines, such as when you wake up, during your morning coffee, or before bed.
These routine moments can become opportunities to practice mindfulness and stay present.
I want to close out this edition with a few statement that I hope will center you and ground you in the now.
1) The Earth is almost 4 billion years old. The dinosaurs ruled for over 150 million years. Our lives are 74 years long, if we're lucky. No matter what's happening in your life, I promise you it will be okay. No problems can exist in the now if you remember to live in it.
2) The world needs you. I say this in every newsletter, but I can't stress it enough. Every single person that steps up, tunes in, finds their joy, and shares it with others, makes a MASSIVE impact and spreads light in a world that needs it now more than ever. Don't buy into the bullshit. Do. The. Thing.
3) Stop. Breathe. Listen. Feel.
"Every single person that steps up, tunes in, finds their joy, and shares it with others, makes a MASSIVE impact and spreads light in a world that needs it now more than ever."...CHILLS!