Finding Purpose

Quiet mornings, I find are the best kind of mornings.

To inquire, to nurture and to grow.

Are you fulfilling your life’s purpose?

Am I fulfilling mine? As of now, I believe my purpose is to simply be the best version of myself, and I do also strongly believe, I am putting that to practice.

I practice yoga on a daily basis and since curfew and lockdown restrictions, I have bumped it up to two practices a day. It has also been about five weeks since I began practicing a headstand. I’ve been keeping tabs on my progress by writing in a journal and a few notes here and there titled ‘random rambles’.

Yes, some days I am tired. I think to myself would one day matter, if I wanted to give myself a break? My answer is almost always — yes — it would matter. One day, a couple of minutes, does matter.

Now, I can feel my core muscles working, as I lift and push back my knees and feet towards the wall. I feel them shake as I pull myself together and aim to stay straight. Now, I am able to have some control when I bring my feet back down to the mat too. These sensations were not apparent to me a week or two ago, but progress like always has a way of catching up to you. And in this case, with my beloved practice.

It might sound crazy to some, but my practice is beloved to me. It is my time on the mat to lovingly inquire, nurture and grow — in body, mind and spirit. This sense adds to feeling like I am fulfilling my life’s purpose.

Being on my yoga mat, allows me to create and nurture a strong connection to myself and spirit. I am constantly repeating mantras and affirmations in my head and sometimes in quiet whispers. These words are spoken in kindness, in encouragement and in love.

I feel a strong connection to my body and mind, as we work together and I also now see the changes it goes through with every passing day.

Practicing yoga has given me a new sense of self. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

This might not be the same for you however. My honesty regarding my practice and sense of purpose is however rooted in what drives me. Now, it’s your turn.

What drives you?

Is there anything in your life that touches you so deeply, that it drives you to live your best life every day? Do not answer this immediately. Take your time to think it through. Take your time to look over how you spend your days. Take your time in one day acknowledging that a certain skill, talent or passion, goal or dream is what drives you to wake up every morning and repeat the day.

What energizes you?

Burn out, lethargy, demotivation, disappointment and basic tiredness are many ways that can deplete rather than energize you. However, these are normal human reactions and emotions to continuously pursuing something that drives you. Regardless, the idea here is to remain steadfast, confident and determined to find something new in every day; a fresh perspective whenever the spark dims, and a positive outlook on allowing you to keep that purpose alive.

What are you willing to sacrifice?

Again, there’s no need to answer the question immediately. This one’s answer might not come that easy either. We might not even realize when we’re actually doing it, and that’s okay. When something feels right and proper down to your bones, there’s no need to look over your shoulder, to sit down and ponder about whether this is worth the sacrifice or not. When you’ve found something that is worth sacrificing for, you’ve found your true calling.

By practicing yoga, meditating every morning, I seek to find contentment, and what I feel contentment is, is a balance of all emotions and things. Whether its fear and bravery, light and darkness, love and hatred, a lifting and grounding, a softness and hardness, strength and shame, ego and humility, hope and despair — and everything that conjoins to create the earth and universe we live in, all strive towards that balance. The balance that keeps us and the energy around us in harmony.

Here’s the thing; I am okay to stumble as I move forward. I am okay to even fall on my knees. I am okay to break down. I am okay to make mistakes. I am okay to falter. For I know, with everything that brings me down, it gives me the solace and courage, the determination and the will to rise up once again. When you are able to answer the the above three questions in all honesty, you will be okay with whatever life throws your way. The doubts, the hurdles, the strain, the struggles won’t matter. It will all be a part of what led you towards finding your purpose.

Open yourself to the beauty that’s inside and outside of you.

Good luck!