The Art of Living Your Soul's Journey

Let's be honest: life doesn't always deal us a “fair” hand. We can work hard, make all the right choices, and still come up short of the things we desire most. Health issues,  relationship problems, career setbacks - misfortune can throw us off course despite our best efforts. 

We get to choose to how we use these “mis-fortunes” and how it will impact our future. How do we craft circumstances to get more of what we want from this one precious life we've been given? 

Compiling information gives us a place to start and then choose where we can begin our journey. Though the path ahead is uncertain, we have the power within ourselves to  influence where it leads. Small shifts in mindset, habits, and behaviors can stack the odds for - or against - us. Are you surrounding yourself with supportive people who challenge you? Carving out time for meaningful work aligned with your values? Taking care of your physical and mental health every day? If not, you may be unconsciously sabotaging your own success. 

Take time to deeply reflect and assess what one or two things are most important to you in life. Conduct an honest personal inventory to identify your top priorities. Where are you falling short in looking after yourself or crafting the life you want? Don't dwell on self blame, instead acknowledge where you can create positive change. Remember that you  have the power to make different choices at any time. It's never too late to delete toxic  relationships from your contacts, sign up for that class, get your dream side hustle off the  ground or hire a coach. Momentum builds on itself and you are exactly where you are  supposed to be right now. 

Next, get clear on the one or two things that really matter. If you are not exactly where you want to be, continuing down the same path is pointless. Sit down and define exactly what you want to achieve in the major areas of life - your career, relationships, health, personal growth. Dream big, but also get specific on measurable markers of success. Maybe it's to land your dream job at a certain company, to get engaged, run a marathon by age 40, or to publish a book. Whatever it is, jot it down and revisit it often, stay on track. 

With your journey defined, it’s time to compile information and analyze what it will  realistically take to get there. These will be concrete actions within your control that compound over time.  

While many things in life are beyond our control, this is precisely why you should start your journey now. Get very clear on what you truly want and stop compromising your own values and principles. Begin taking steps today toward what matters most. Life will always happen, such as, Illness, accidents, economic shifts and, everyday life. Life always has challenges to throw us off track, we can allow this to happen to us or we can utilize it for  good. Accepting this reality while still striving to shape your trajectory is key. When the  unexpected derails you, take time to process the emotions. 

But then quickly shift back to a growth mindset focused on what you can control. How can you adapt to redirect your path forward, even if it looks different than you envisioned? 

When it comes to mindset, an essential step for success in the souls’ journey is recognizing  that you have a stake in the outcome. What you desire and say you want does matter. Journal your daily thoughts, words and actions, your actions write the story. When you live  reactively, you let circumstances dictate your direction. But when you remember you're the author - flaws, failures and all - you reclaim your journey. Draft the narrative you want. Edit and revise chapters that aren't serving you. Surround yourself with people who inspire new dimensions to your character. 

This isn't about manipulating in unethical ways. It's about learning to work within life's  constraints to become the best version of yourself possible. Making intentional choices based off information you have compiled, applying frameworks, strategizing, and taking  action. Saying no to distractions that don't align with your purpose. Being consistent with habits that move you forward incrementally each day. Identifying where you can make the smallest possible move to get most desirable results. Know yourself, be willing to take the journey and adjust where and when it is needed. 

Progress won't happen overnight. There will be setbacks that tempt you to give up. In those moments, recall how far you've come already. Hold your vision in mind, trust the process, and keep taking those small steps every day. One foot in front of the other. 

Ultimately, we cannot force life to hand us the exact existence we envision. However, we can use the tools we've gathered, the support system around us, our own abilities and  uniqueness to chart our own fulfilling journey. Though we cannot control every detail, we  can utilize what we have, to design a life by our own rules that we can enjoy and find  meaning in. This is the art of not just reacting to what comes your way, but of proactively  building the life you want! 

Life is neither out to get you, nor rooting for your success. The universe is neutral,  operating on a complex interplay of chance and chain reactions. Yet within that  randomness, pockets of opportunity exist if you have the vision and perseverance to find them. Master the skill of confronting what is outside your comfort zone with grace, while harnessing the power you have to write your story and embrace your souls’ journey. Pay attention, tend your relationships, take care of yourself. Live each day as if it is your purpose.