What feeds your soul?

It seems like a simple enough question, but is not always an easy one to answer truthfully and completely.  It has taken me a bit of work to figure it out, so I thought I would share my experience with you in the hope that you will be able to figure out for yourself what feeds your soul. 

I started on my own a few years ago through my yoga and mediation practise by asking myself the following questions:  What am I doing when I feel the happiest? When do I feel the most “like myself? What is the one thing about myself that I love?  What are my gifts? What really matters to me enough that I am willing to sacrifice for it? Friendship? Creative work? Inner peace? Kindness? Creating positive change? Helping people? Getting to the truth?  What I learned from this exercise was that I feel the most like myself when I am in a meaningful conversation with someone, that is also when I feel the happiest. The one thing I love about myself is my understanding and acceptance of others and that what really matters to me is seeing other people (including myself) grow and pursue their dreams.

With the above knowledge firmly in my mind and heart, I went about pursing “what feeds my soul” in a rather haphazard manner! LOL While I knew what I needed, I wasn’t always able to give it to myself.  This caused me much discomfort, but also sent me on a journey of further self discovery that I definitely needed, the timing just needed to be right.  There were a few defining moments of clarity over the years that laid the stepping stones for me to follow so I could cross over the water onto the other side and continue. On the other side I found that insecurity, unworthiness and doubt in myself had crept in and left me struggling with what I knew on the inside and what was happening on the outside. Fortunately I found a coach/guide to assist me in getting back to feeding my soul and keeping me accountable until I learn to hold myself accountable. This process involved a lot of work on looking at myself, what makes me who I am, what I love about myself, how others see me, what I dream about, etc.  which I will talk about more as we go along this journey together.  One thing that was particularly helpful was an exercise I call “10 Things”.  I made a list of “10 things that are important to me”, meditating, yoga, time alone, meaningful conversation, etc. and “10 things that I dream about”, owing a business someplace hot, being an anthropologist, travel to other countries and immerse myself in the culture, live by the water or in nature, etc. It is so easy when you are in crisis to foget what feeds your soul and fall back into insecurity, I found looking back at these “10 things” has helped me refocus and get back to what is important for my own well being. 

Why not start your own journey of self discovery today? Find what feeds your soul by asking yourself the questions  above (this injects the meaning into your life) and making your own “10 Things” list (this helps keep you on track). You are worth it, you deserve it and you will be so much better for all of the people in your life.  Living from your heart and your authentic self not only brings you joy and happiness but also attracts all the right people and events into your life.   Live in communion with your destiny. . . .the journey begins today!