Living on Purpose: Contemplation & Journaling Practice

It can feel daunting when we feel we are on a hamster wheel, just going through motions and are beginning to crave more, but are not sure what "more" is.

Do you feel overwhelmed when people ask you what your purpose is? Or,

do you feel as if life threw you several curveballs and brought you off course with your goals?

Have you been feeling divided or stuck in your work or life in general?

Before beginning this contemplation and journaling practice it is important to point out the 3 ideas below that can help us get more clear.

1. Most of us have a deep aversion to living with uncertainty, but the key to living on purpose is to embrace uncertainty and living on the verge of chaos. Everything new brings with it several unknown elements, but the moment you begin living your life incorporating what you value/honor most we begin living life feeling less restricted/stuck/trapped. In Elizabeth Gilbert's terms, you begin to create "big magic" when you embrace what brings you joy.

2. It can feel challenging to stop over analyzing every potential outcome and think of all of the "what ifs," but like Ram Dass says, "the quieter you become, the more you can hear." Albert Einstein used to always say that his biggest moments of insight were when he was not doing anything at all.

3. As much as we can visualize and imagine the desired outcome we would like for our life, we have to be willing to let go and detach ourselves from rigidly holding on to these outcomes. We don't want to close ourselves off to all of the other potential outcomes that might actually suit us better.

Image by @persikadesignco

Part 1 - cultivate observing/mindful awareness

Take 12 intentionally deeper breaths felt through the abdomen and ribs.

Release each thought that arises and choose to bring attention back to the rhythm of breathing.

Part 2 - (at least 5 minutes) journal

“what are my values?

What do I honor most in life?

The first time you ask yourself these questions, typically the answers that surface first are conditioned by the way we have been brought up and the culture we live in.

As a contemplation practice you can write these questions out and let yourself write as many things as come up for you over a few minutes.

VERY IMPORTANT.

Write anything and everything that comes up. Just because you put it on paper does not make it a concrete fact.

This practice peels back the layers upon layers of our conditioned views of our life.

Once you have poured what you believe to be your values onto a paper, you begin noticing which things truly resonate with you and which ones felt more automated by the lens which you’ve been living your life by.

Part 3 - (1 minutes) contemplation

Am I incorporating what I value most in my life on a regular basis?

Life can get so busy and throw us off our tracks, this reflection is not meant to create shame or judgement!! We are still practicing mindfulness where we can simply observe and let go of analysis.

Part 4 - (5 minutes) contemplation & journaling

Where do I see myself going?

Does where I see myself going reflect my values, what I honor most in life?

What are small ways of incorporating what I value most into my daily life? Journal.

Visualize it, feel the vision in your body as if it is already happening. Invite this to flood your awareness.

Breathe life/vital energy/chi/prana into it with deeper inhales and exhales.

Part 5 - IMPORTANT contemplation (1 minute)

Release attachments to any desired outcomes!!!

What is most important is our intention to live life on purpose, aligned with our values.

Part 6 - (3 minutes) Journaling or contemplation

What moments in your life are you grateful for? What did you feel like in those moments?

Who are you most grateful for in your life? Are there any unexpected friendships made that spark inspiration?

Is there a tree, mountain, ocean view, flower that took your breath away?

Finish by recalling anything/anyone you are grateful for. Invite it to saturate your awareness.

Once we begin to do this practice regularly, it also helps us strengthen our willpower for what is most important to us - those small or big things that don't have an immediate result, but we know are good for us.

If you want more guidance I also have a recorded guided Intentional Living meditation below that can support you in living more proactively and aligning yourself with your values.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/h0wpo3st6nj89gt/3.17%20Intentional%20Living%20Meditation.m4a?dl=0

Leave me any comments below if you have additional questions or if you'd like to share your experience with this practice!