Being hospitalized for depression in adolescence made it very clear to me that what I was doing wasn't working . . . but I had no idea what to do about it.
Through the years, my personal journey, my education in social work, my career in adult education, the writing of Living On Purpose: Life Beyond Mediocrity, and the subsequent Journal, have all been fueled by my love and fascination with who we really are (WWRA), the 'genius-ness' of each one of us, and that life is more about Maslow's 'peak experiences', and Joseph Campbell's 'following our bliss' than it is about the mediocrity.
What follows is a sharing of the learning, and the constant practicing, of me being Who I Really Am (WIRA). The Journal is an ever evolving understanding of what I've found works for me. This accumulation of information started off as a workshop, then it became a book and now it has become a 90 page question and answer journal. With every question I have, the more my experience of LOP continues to grow and evolve. I am lovin' this journey . . . join in if you are inspired.
Over the weeks to follow I'll post questions and ideas that are a part of us getting to know, believe in, trust and express our true selves. They have assisted me with staying in alignment with what really matters to me and I know there will be some nuggets of clarity for you too -- because these aren't my answers, they are yours. If you would like to spend some time clarifying who you really are (WYRA), what is most important to you, how you are a genius, and how to trust what is real for you, grab a journal and come on along.
Here is what the three parts of the LOP Journal focus on:
Part I -- Remembering WWRA. Each one of us is a unique individual with our own desires, perspectives, priorities, skills and talents. The more I have discovered, and owned, those 'unique-nesses' the better I have felt, the better life has become.
Part II -- Believing in WWRA. Clarifying the priorities and perspectives of WIRA in the first part is freeing, however, if I doubt them (meaning I believe other's opinions more than my own), I can end up feeling frustrated, angry, or full apprehension, which leads to being stuck in a very uncomfortable place. Believing in You allows you to be You, and everyone else to be who they are. A whole other level of freedom!
Part III -- Expressing WWRA. As I believe in WIRA, ideas and desires and opportunities begin to flow and my ability to trust and play in the momentum of them is what makes life fun and is what LOP defines as success. You being a LOP kind of success may end up looking different than what you are right now believing your success needs to be, but I promise you, it is going to be way more fun and exciting than what you are now imagining.
So, if you want to join in, you can start now. Grab some paper (writing things down can be a great focusing tool), and ponder the following questions. Remember: Be honest with yourself; be kind with yourself; and reach for the fun of WYRA.
1) Have you ever experienced a glimpse of WYRA? If yes, what happened? How did it feel? What did you know in that moment to be true for yourself?
2) Why would being more of WYRA be of interest to you? Honestly, at your core, what do you want?