Forgetting and remembering along the journey to purpose in your writing and work
Have you ever felt so clear about something—about how you express yourself through your writing or your work in the world—only to feel utterly foggy again only a short time later?
If so, you’re not alone.
Once, a long time ago, I remember reading a passage in Carolyn Myss’ Sacred Contracts, that said our souls make spiritual agreements with the divine before birth, outlining our life purpose, key relationships, and major life lessons.
I dropped back into my chair, stunned, and closed the book.
The felt truth of this opened a well of knowing deep inside. My shoulders dropped in relief. I don’t have to figure it all out on my own.
In that moment, I saw I’d been frantically reading and searching, looking, and longing. Each passing day feeling the increasing weight of my own mortality as I tried to “figure out” what I was here to do.
In reading those words, I suddenly realized (remembered) that I wasn’t on my own. And, although I wouldn’t have used these words then, I could feel the arms of the divine, the great, gentle hands of universe holding me.
It was such a relief.
Of course, I’ve forgotten this all many, many times since then. In fact, just a week or so ago, I had a conversation with myself.
Maybe you’re supposed to be writing full-time? Why don’t you forget about facilitating writing groups or even helping people express themselves through their writing or their businesses? Well, why would I do that? I can’t write full-time. Besides, I like these other things I’m doing… But maybe you’re just doing what you think you’re supposed to be doing here. What if you’re supposed to be doing this other thing….Are you sure?
I am, I mean. Maybe? Uh, gah!!
Your True Calling
I remind myself of this all the time. Your purpose is something that is meant to be discovered.
And it’s something that is unique to you. No one else in the world has your specific history, lived experience, talents, gifts, or genius; and the way you are called to express yourself in this world is singular.
It’s not as simple as a preconceived job title: writer, marketer, entrepreneur, moviemaker… Something that powerful and important can’t be contained by a business card.
You can get in your own way by letting fear or doubt keep you from leaning into your calling, or by getting stuck in logic, trying to overly analyze how doing this one step will lead you to XYZ result. All of that is a form of resistance, and at a deeper level, it doesn’t feel good.
Safe, perhaps. Comfortable, often. But not good.
We often think we have to have the whole picture before we can act. The truth is sometimes we are gifted with glimpses of a bigger picture, of how saying yes to one thing fits into a larger whole.
But more often than not, we don’t get that. Instead, we’re meant to just feel into each next thing on our journey, one step at a time. Asking our wiser selves: Does this feel like a deep yes? Or does something feel not quite right about it?
So today I remind myself, and you too, of that knowing I discovered all those years ago. I don’t have to do this all by myself. I’m being divinely supported every step of the way.
When have you had a knowing that you’re being supported on your journey?