On Purpose
Hi, there and I hope you're warm wherever you are! It's definitely sweater, scarf, gloves and cozy socks weather in Boston!
The Seed this week is a quote from Caroline Myss. I have been reading and listening to Caroline for some time. She is an author, speaker, and practiced as a medical intuitive for a while. She can be considered pretty woo-woo, which means she's unconventional and she leans toward spirituality, mysticism, and alternative medicine. She's my kind of gal. Even if we don't totally agree with someone, there is often something to which we can relate if we pay attention, for a moment, with an open mind.
The circles in which I often travel can sometimes get hung up on figuring out our purpose in life. I love Caroline's simple take on that:
"If you have life, you have purpose." Oh, what a relief! I don't have to find a cure for COVID or cancer or any other illness. The pressure is off for figuring out how to create world peace... so what can I do? The idea of having a life purpose feels weighty and implies that we must all have huge accomplishments or our lives will have been in vain. Just as I wrote that sentence I was reminded of The Starfish Story. A young man was walking along the ocean and saw a beach on which thousands and thousands of starfish had washed ashore. Further along he saw an old man walking slowly and stooping often, picking up one starfish after the other and tossing each one
gently into the ocean.
"Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" he asked. "Because the sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don't throw them further in, they will die." "But, old man, don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach
and starfish all along it?! You can't possibly save them all. You can't even save one-tenth of them. In fact, even if you work all day, your efforts won't make any difference at all." The old man listened calmly and then bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the sea. "It made a difference to that one." While you might invent or discover something amazing, all any of us has to do is:
Check in on a regular basis. Come into the present moment, take a few deep breaths, and be still.
Be aware. Who might need you to listen? What action can you take? Where are you needed?
Answer your callings. You'll know them when you hear them. They'll light you up or give you a zing -- they'll get your attention. Heed their call even if, at first, you're not sure how to answer. Take the first small baby step and the rest will follow.
Remember, your purpose does not need a capital "P" to be important. It might be as simple as a hug and a little hard-earned wisdom. Be on the look-out and it will find you -- this is what I wish for you.
Sparkles and Love,
