BUY THIS AND YOU WILL BE BETTER
We have established that Western/Westernised society is not set up for nourishment. We are told that we are lacking, often in multiple (or all!) aspects of ourselves, and we are sold that an outlay of money or energy will remedy that. *Cue the marching band of capitalism- clothes, pills, potions, fitness regimes, self-help courses, shiny things, books, apps, music*
Sometimes we are perfectly fine as we are, maybe good, maybe great, maybe perfect. Other times, perhaps, there is something in our life holding us back from thriving. The devil is, of course, in the details: how are we to make OUR OWN decisions and think for OURSELVES as to what we actually need? Well, one approach is to think about one’s life purpose, or what Simon Sinek calls “the why”.
Now before you zone out 0_o, this is much simpler than it sounds. What keeps you going through life? (No, not caffeine- I mean yes, it helps, if that’s your jam) What inspires you? What’s your purpose?
For me, Cheryl, my purpose is: To help relieve suffering of people and animals.
That’s it. It is so simple and that is what purpose is. This colours every decision I make. It is my ultimate intrinsic motivation.
Author/activist/poet Sonya Renee Taylor shared hers in a podcast (which I heard and feverishly typed out): To help people live their highest most self-determined lives based off of their belief of what that is.
Your life purpose may be very clear from reflecting on the decisions and life choices you have made, or from reflecting on the most significant challenges you face. Consider this your official invitation to discover or ratify what your ultimate life purpose is. You can ruminate or meditate on it, draw, vision board using paper or Pinterest or other online tool you like, journal, dance or flow with, or chat with someone who knows you well and honours you.
Here are some resources for further exploration of your life purpose:
Simon Sinek’s TED talk (an oldie but a goodie) on the science of why. This is business focussed but relevant. His books Find Your Why and Start With Why- (remember to check your local library which also has ebooks). His website is https://simonsinek.com/
Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck shares an article on life purpose with his brand of no-nonsense tough love.
This University of Minnesota article by Barb Leonard and Mary Jo Kreitzer.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali for the yogic perspective.
Several passages in The Bible including this one: “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16). More on a Christian perspective here.
Every religion speaks to the importance of life purpose, and often it is to Honour God/Goddess/Goddexx/Spirit/Nature. That is a mighty purpose.
Studying your Soul Card in the Tarot. Add up the individual numbers in your birthdate, and reduce it to a single number of 21 or less. E..g, if you were born 1st January 1998, then 1 + 1 + 1 +9 + 9 + 8= 39. Since 39 is higher than 21, we reduce it by 3+ 9= 12. So the Soul card is Major Arcana card 12, The Hanged One. If you have questions, you can drop a comment below, or head over to our Instagram page and add a comment or send us a message. You can learn more about tarot and individual cards on this excellent podcast. The Major Arcana were discussed by Sarah Faith Gottesdiener and Amanda Yates Garcia. I want to honour and acknowledge the fact that these two folks no longer collaborate.
Looking to your Natal (Birth) Astrology Chart. I have found this tool immensely helpful. When I read people’s charts, I focus on placements and aspects of Chiron, 10th house, 6th house, and the North and South Nodes. Free birth charts are available on the internet. Here is one tool from one of my favourite astrologers, Jessica Lanyadoo. Also this link for Cafe Astrology. I regularly use the iPhone iPhemeris app, and TimePassages app. I offer Life Path Oracle Readings, which I do charge for. Please contact me at thatnourish@gmail.com if you would like to learn more.
Do you have any sources of wisdom you have found helpful? If so, please drop a comment below.