Have you ever had the nagging feeling that there is more to life, more to why you’re here, more to working than making money so that you can retire?  Or perhaps you know someone who is going through the motions, not truly living a life that lights them up inside?

Not long ago I experienced the contrast of interactions between two individuals in my world: one who was fully tuned in to her purpose and another who was not. 

I’m fortunate to be a member of the Women Entrepreneurs Secrets of Success group here in Chicago and was attending one of our regular meetings. Every meeting features a speaker who shares her expertise, and I attended a meeting that caught my attention, that particular speaker was different. The woman had every person in the room captivated as she shared about money and money mindset. It wasn’t the topic, it was her obvious passion for the topic of money mindset that seeped from every word of her presentation. It inspired everyone in the room.

In contrast, when I returned home I stepped into the kitchen and noticed something out of place: dirt on the floor. See, while I was at that meeting, my cleaning person was at my house working, but the house was still dirty. Unfortunately it isn’t the first time this has happened, despite the fact that she works quite diligently. I thought to myself “how is it that she can be showing up and working, but somehow the job isn’t getting done?”

And I did what I always encourage you to do, I paused. I sat with it, and it led me to a place that I think is powerful.

The Pause

I realized it wasn’t about either of those women that morning.Life was handing me an opportunity. Several questions began to emerge:

• Where in my life am I showing up with confidence and purpose? 
• Where in my life am I just going through the motions? 
• And how can I be gracious with myself about shifting that?

Just like you, I want to live a life of meaning. I also desire to be surrounded by other people who are following their heart’s calling, that are living for their personal why and making choices based around that why. 

Time after time, Spirit/God/Universe has shown me that when I step into my personal why – the most amazing and magical things happen, not only for me but for those around me. 

A great example of this is when I was called suddenly to Florida to help my mom and her husband and it turned into a three week adventure. First off, who has three weeks where they can drop everything and go? I did. That was not me pulling strings. That was the Universe at her finest. Four years ago I made a commitment to be all in. I committed to stop playing small and 100% show up to ‘why’ I was on the planet – whatever it took.

That meant partnering with life, learning to be in the conversation and surrendering control (ohhh, yeah – that’s a big one!). The result is that my life changed drastically, which is a story for another time, and I found myself in a position to be able to go help my family for 3 weeks.

If I hadn’t been available, the ripple effect would have been crazy – my mom, her husband, his kids and their grandkids as well and friends and other relatives all would have been negatively impacted. Instead, I got magic, connection and adventure.

I got to share time with my mom, take care of myself and do all the work that needed to get done (for my business, myself and my family). I got to visit friends I’ve not seen in years (in the most stunning home, OMG), swim my laps in an olympic sized, outdoor pool, swim in the ocean in Florida and in Georgia, stay on Tybee Island for a day, attend a 4 day online Goddess conference, drive across the country, meet new (and supremely interesting) people and spend a day and night on Amherst Island in Canada.

Amazing and magical things happened that I could not have planned if I tried. I committed to living my meaning and life has provided for me – again, and again, and again.

The Question

So, my question to you is are you living a life of meaning? Or are you going through the motions of life? You are likely somewhere in between and may be ready to lean further into your meaning. I hope this moves you in that direction.

Whatever your answer may be, remember to have grace with yourself. It’s a process, not a destination. Self-awareness is the power that allows you the opportunity to evolve. And here’s a tip, you can evolve from an abundant, compassionate state of mind, instead of the old ‘I have to fix it’ mindset. Try this on for size: embrace the thought “It’s a journey and I’m on my way” instead of “I should have gotten there already.” 

We are ever evolving beings. 
If you’d like support on your journey, contact me.