Thank you for this practice. I noticed this post exactly when I needed it most. Becoming aware of all that I was holding illuminated the choices I have around that. I am also seeing new facets of my role in Earth. Feels like an answer to a request for help finding wellness for my body. Still more gratitude for your generosity and labor.
Yes! I love this invitation to focus on human being instead of striving for human doing. I wonder what happens when we tune into our hearts and bodies and listen to our purpose and genius emerging, coming it out like the butterfly when it's ready, rather than striving to finding it, and judging ourselves and comparing with others, along the way... Attuning and aligning is such a different energy. Thank you for this Kelsey!
I was literally talking about this just a couple of days ago with Tyler. How I have never felt I've had a "purpose" in the conventional sense of the word. We talked about how, while neither one of us believes we have a clear purpose, we do feel we can engage in things that feel profoundly meaningful. Thank you for this timely validation of not needing to succumb to the pressure of finding a "purpose", which has always felt synonymous with having to prove my existence. Your wisdom so often shows up in my life in the most serendipitous of ways! <3
You know, I was reading the book you recommended by David Whyte this morning. He says, "Any life, and any life's work, is a hidden journey, a secret code, deciphered in fits and starts. The details only given truth by the whole, and the whole dependent on the detail." I really like this. There's something about softening this pressure to be oriented by the whole (which I think is the pressure of capitalism) and instead let ourselves be in the details and trust that this is what life truly is. I agree, big P Purpose is not a requirement for a meaningful life. Thank you for the book recommend BTW. <3
This reminds me of an interview I recently heard with Maria Popova. She talked about the trend to regard meditation as a means to wellbeing and stress-reduction. She chafed at the transactional nature of this idea. Can't we just meditate to meditate? Just because we're doing it?
This seems unrelated but I don't think it is. When we think life has to have a purpose, we're being transactional. As you point out, if we can just be, just feel everything--from the purposeful to the mundane, then we truly are present in our lives. We don't expect anything; we don't monetize it; we just experience it.
I love the image and idea of being like nature-beautiful and strange. Lovely piece. Thank you for your writing and somatic support!
You are so welcome Nancy. Yes! We are nature too. <3
Thank you for this practice. I noticed this post exactly when I needed it most. Becoming aware of all that I was holding illuminated the choices I have around that. I am also seeing new facets of my role in Earth. Feels like an answer to a request for help finding wellness for my body. Still more gratitude for your generosity and labor.
So glad this found you at the right time JB. Thank you for being here. <3
Yes! I love this invitation to focus on human being instead of striving for human doing. I wonder what happens when we tune into our hearts and bodies and listen to our purpose and genius emerging, coming it out like the butterfly when it's ready, rather than striving to finding it, and judging ourselves and comparing with others, along the way... Attuning and aligning is such a different energy. Thank you for this Kelsey!
Beautiful Shilpa! And I would add, normalizing not knowing or idealizing some point at which we'll "arrive." <3
Yes! Definitely no pressure or "dead"lines! :)
This is such a welcome message to my seeker-soul. Thank you so much, KB.
You are so welcome K. ! I'm glad this landed for you.
Thank you for these medicinal images!!!
✨🌱🙏🏽 You are so welcome.
“Our purpose is to feel and be.” I love this sentiment. Thank you!
I find that settling as well. <3
I was literally talking about this just a couple of days ago with Tyler. How I have never felt I've had a "purpose" in the conventional sense of the word. We talked about how, while neither one of us believes we have a clear purpose, we do feel we can engage in things that feel profoundly meaningful. Thank you for this timely validation of not needing to succumb to the pressure of finding a "purpose", which has always felt synonymous with having to prove my existence. Your wisdom so often shows up in my life in the most serendipitous of ways! <3
You know, I was reading the book you recommended by David Whyte this morning. He says, "Any life, and any life's work, is a hidden journey, a secret code, deciphered in fits and starts. The details only given truth by the whole, and the whole dependent on the detail." I really like this. There's something about softening this pressure to be oriented by the whole (which I think is the pressure of capitalism) and instead let ourselves be in the details and trust that this is what life truly is. I agree, big P Purpose is not a requirement for a meaningful life. Thank you for the book recommend BTW. <3
Yes, yes, yes! You are inspiring me to re-read it!
And thank you again, Kelsey! Is the book you're referring to The Heart Aroused, by any chance?
Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity. I really like it.
"Having to prove my existence." How often I feel this! Thanks for your comment, Dina.
I'm so glad you wrote this! Thank you.
This reminds me of an interview I recently heard with Maria Popova. She talked about the trend to regard meditation as a means to wellbeing and stress-reduction. She chafed at the transactional nature of this idea. Can't we just meditate to meditate? Just because we're doing it?
This seems unrelated but I don't think it is. When we think life has to have a purpose, we're being transactional. As you point out, if we can just be, just feel everything--from the purposeful to the mundane, then we truly are present in our lives. We don't expect anything; we don't monetize it; we just experience it.
This is very timely for me. Thank you.