Which things make you feel good?
How do we find our purpose in life?
What if the purpose is to live authentically?
What if it’s simply learning how to function at our best?
To flourish for who we are and flow?
We have told ourselves many times that if we learn to know ourselves and realise our full potential, then we can truly flourish and be happy in a lasting way.
Each of us has our own qualities, our own talents, our own resources…. yes you too!
As long as they are not clear to you, as long as you do not learn to cultivate them, how can you expect to be yourself and live a full and happy life?
Being well is a process, not a state that once achieved is forever. It is a lifelong process.
Finding pleasure in the small everyday things is really my speciality, I have already written a couple of articles, which you can find here and here.
We explored the topic extensively during a webinar, which I will definitely repeat in September.
Now I’m going to give you some food for thought, so that you can take some time to really explore what you like, what makes you feel good. Take your notebook, your colours and spend some time on this activity. It may feel like a waste of time, but believe me, this is the basis for living an authentic life: recognising and nurturing your passions.
I’ll talk more about this in the next episode of the podcast, but in the meantime have a good listen to the last episode.
Now I’m going to do an exercise, and before we start I’m going to ask you to get yourself some water, some tea, some coffee, a glass of wine, a beer: choose what you like best.
Move around a bit before you start, take a few steps or a few jumps. Do you know why? Because to do this exercise well you need your body and emotions as well as your head!
Breathe, listen to yourself, don’t do everything automatically, it won’t help.
What are your favourite books? Why do you like them?
What are your favourite films or series? Why do you like them?
Write down your answers and then underline the words that seem most important to you, underline them in a colour that you like!
Now let’s take a trip into the past.
What did you like to do in kindergarten, do you remember? Why did you like it?
What did you like to do in primary school? Why did you like it?
And in junior high? Why did you like it?
From 15 to 20 years old, what did you like?
And so on until today.
What emotions do you feel when you are confronted with these memories?
What are your body sensations?
Now re-read your notes and see if there are any recurring themes.
Observe the underlined words: are there themes that were important then and are they still important today?
Keep your list, your keywords, in good sight for a few weeks.
Don’t take anything for granted.
Every choice, however small, involves a decision. If you are clear about what you like and what you don’t like, you can start to direct your choices, give your life a direction, your direction, the one that makes the most sense for you.
When we feel good, we can contribute to making the world a better place, that is, offering the world our qualities.
With this simple exercise we bring to light what makes us feel good, and you will see that the next step is to identify your passions.
In the coming weeks we will bring out your resources, your qualities, your strengths.
In my work as a counsellor I meet many people who are not clear about what activities or things give them pleasure. We often do things to satisfy the needs of others. If you want to find your own way, if you want to be happy, start with you.
Take it as a creative journey within yourself, get to know yourself.
It is possible that over the years our priorities will change.
Don’t judge yourself, there is no right or wrong.
Observe yourself and get to know yourself.
There are people who have specific and very vertical passions, like some passionate doctors. Passion, mission, vocation and profession match.
Other people have more interests. There’s a very interesting Ted Talk about multipod. If you work in an office and you don’t feel a great passion for what you do, maybe you love travelling, photography, you like playing music, you like the mountains.
Each of us is unique, so try to work with sincerity and authenticity.
There is no point in trying to be something you are not, it would just be a waste of time.
Much better to use this space to bring out the best in YOU!
I look forward to seeing you next week, with an extra bit of authenticity!
