By: Miriam Young / Source: Tiny Buddha

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ~E.E. Cummings

For a long time, I felt disconnected from my life. I’d spent most of it on autopilot, either regretting the past or dreaming about the future.

I regretted being too afraid to read an essay at the monthly open mic near me for all those years. I thought a lot about writing without actually writing.

I dreamed about a future me, totally transformed with much better hair, eagerly writing at a sunny cafe, the words flowing through my fingers easily, flawlessly.

My approach to finding purpose in my career has been to pause, pay attention, and appreciate the journey. It’s subtle, like changing the trajectory of a rocket—a small adjustment or a few shifts make an enormous difference in the end result.

Pause.

My dad used to urge me to find my “calling” and offer my gifts to the world. This always intimidated me. What was my calling?

To answer such a question, you have to relax and give yourself space, even if it’s just a breath. Before you decide to drop everything and make a drastic career move, pause.

Take time to explore what makes you tick. What activities motivate you and give you moments of flow? What tasks drain you?

Cut through the layers of caked on assumptions like: “I can’t consider taking a pay cut” or “A lateral move means I have failed.” Start your journey by stopping and letting go.

For me, I’ve always both known I loved writing and that I would obviously never be qualified enough to do it professionally.

I have been journaling since kindergarten, writing for as long as I’ve been able to. I have simultaneously been telling myself that under no circumstances should I dare to think of being an actual writer.

I’m not smart enough or well-read enough or disciplined enough to make such a claim. A nice side trick, sure, but not something I could ever pursue professionally.

Pay attention.

Once the dust settles, you can start building self-awareness. It’s hard to find our purpose because we don’t really know ourselves. We don’t know what we genuinely like to do or why we do what we do. We never question what influences us.

We end up in a career because our parents approved of it, because we thought it would be safe or because it was easy enough.

There are many ways to develop self-awareness. Along with meditation, I recommend checking out a variety of online tools, including Imperative’s Purpose Pattern.

Also, consider taking a look at StrengthsFinder, The Artist’s Way, The Enneagram Institute or Myers Briggs.

If you are immediately turned off at the thought of self-reflection exercises, just notice that and be curious about it. Resistance is a powerful teacher when we pay attention.

For me, I just started to notice that little naysayer voice. At first, I just heard it louder and louder. You are so not a writer. Nope, not a writer. Don’t even think that you ever could be.

Eventually, I noticed how repetitive and boring it was. You are so not a writer. Nope, not a writer. Ugh—you again?! Don’t believe everything that you think.

My friend sent me a job description for a “Communications Specialist.” I immediately laughed at her email. “I’m not qualified for that!” You are so not a writer. Nope, not a writer.

A few hours later, after recognizing this stale voice as the same one that had been annoying me for years, I applied anyway

Appreciate the journey.

Humans are much bigger than cubicle walls and far more expansive than the margins of resumes.

School, unfortunately, tends to instill a “ladder climbing” mentality—get good grades to get a good GPA to get a good job.

What were you taught a “successful” career looks like? High pay? Stability? Title? If we are constantly focused on getting enough points to get to the next level, we will miss out on everything.

I knew early on I wanted to work in the nonprofit sector as, what I assumed would be, a clear path to “make a difference” and “do good.” Of course, I immediately realized how fraught all those rosy intentions were, and how messy this business of “making things better” is.

Like me, you may still get trapped worrying about if you’re “making a difference” in an appropriately prestigious enough way. You may still get trapped longing for stability and a sense that you are important in some way.

Some research shows people are happier when they are present with their current experience, no matter what it is.

Appreciate the mental grappling you’re doing, appreciate the uncertainty you feel, appreciate the questions you have. It all means you are alive and growing!

Try to have compassion for those grappling with these questions too. He or she may be sitting in the cubicle next door.

For my dad, it was always critical that I figure out what gifts I had to offer the world and offer them. Your gifts do not belong to you; you have to share them with the world.

What he didn’t tell me is how much vulnerability and courage you need to actually do this. First, to acknowledge that yes, you have something unique to offer! (Terribly inconvenient.) Second, to actually offer it for people to accept or reject. (Terrifying.)

While this idea of sharing my gifts was terrifying, it has also become the central theme of my career.

I’ve now worked at several nonprofits helping people do just this by volunteering their talents to give back. And what an incredible way to give back!

To me, volunteerism is one of the most underestimated resources we have. It seems quaint and suspiciously simple when, in fact, it’s revolutionary.

Generosity sets things in motion. It creates a path where one wasn’t possible before. Unlike money, it doesn’t get used up—it renews itself. Magic. I guess this was what my dad was trying to tell me all along.

Finding your purpose is most likely not going to be a “lightning strikes” moment. My experience has been much more nuanced, not linear and more red-ruby-slipper-like.

Deep down, you already know what drives you; you just need to let it surface. (Hint: it might be the thing you are avoiding or too afraid to consider.) Nevertheless, the answer is waiting for you. Are you ready to find it?

By: Crystal Davis / Source: Awaken

Until a few years ago, honey and lemon drinks were something I bought in a packet from the chemist when in the death-throes of a full blown flu.

Naturally, those little packets didn’t help much, so I was skeptical when I started this whole crazy challenge.

Of course, drinking real lemon juice and proper honey in warm water is a totally different experience, and with all the hype around it I embarked on a 12 month quest to see if it really was as miraculous as the trend says.

I am pleased to report I am thoroughly converted, and here is why.

1. I have not had a cold, flu or gastro illness in the entire year.

Literally. On reflection, this actually blows my mind. All of my life I’ve been a serial tonsillitis-getter, and always seemed to pick up whatever was going around.

With a large family, including lots of little ones, there is always someone around who has the latest bug. I am happy to report I no longer catch them, even when it rips through the rest of the gang.

Confession: there were days I skipped totally, and though I have felt very early signs of sickness sometimes (too many sneezes in a day, run down, extra tired, suspicious tummy rumblings) nothing at all has materialised.

Sure I’ve had tired days and a few headaches, but nothing to write home about.

As soon as I got back on the regime these stopped happening, and I now absolutely swear by honey/lemon—to the point I‘ve become prematurely old-aged and carry them both in my bag when I stay at friend’s places or hotels.

(Should I be worried I’m also proud of this?)

2. I no longer need coffee and have become a {gasp} morning person.

The zing I get from lemon and honey first thing in the morning has become something I crave, and doesn’t leave me with headaches or the dreaded caffeine comedown. I also have more energy for longer and am quicker to smile in the a.m.

It used to take me at least an hour to open my second eye and stop grunting at people like a cavewoman, but I’m now annoying the people that love me in new and wonderful ways like throwing deep philosophical questions at them as I bound into the kitchen.

I’ll need to find a new challenge soon though if I am to keep them on their toes.

3. The people around me are becoming more healthy—the biggest reward.

So this has taken the longest: to convince my family that honey and lemon can help them prevent some of their man-flu incidents.

But after playing nurse and administering my magic potion to them when they are at their most desperate, they can finally see its benefits. “Whoa!

That helped straight away!” never gets old and reminds me to keep going every morning so I don’t suffer the indignities of needing to be three feet from a toilet at all times, or running through a box of tissues an hour.

It’s such a lovely feeling to know that I can help my loved ones feel more well through something so simple and available. I have become some kind of one-trick uber-nurse, and that’s awesome.

My Recipe:

I generally use the juice of half a fresh lemon, and a decent teaspoon of organic, raw unheated honey in a standard mug with freshly boiled water that has cooled a little (but still hot enough to melt the honey).

I then add a splash of cold so I can drink immediately in one go to rehydrate me as soon as I wake.

However, it does depend on the lemon and the honey, some lemons are juicier or more sour and some honeys more sweet, so experimenting is important! Also half a lemon may be too intense to start, my family uses a quarter.

Why does it work? Well, according to websites thehealthsite.com and Underground Health, there are at least nine major benefits to drinking warm honey lemon water every morning. But I’ll list my favourites here:

Keeps you regular and protects from UTIs

Because this mixture when taken first thing in the morning stimulates the digestive system, as well as hydrating the colon and more, honey lemon water keeps constipation at bay.

It also acts as a diuretic, cleansing the urinary tract and ensuring no urinary tract infections. I can certainly verify this one!

Improves digestion

Every part of this drink aids in the digestive process; lemons assist your liver in producing more bile so you can break down complex foods better and use the good stuff from your meals.

Honey is antibacterial which protects you from any infections you might have. It also helps with the production of mucus in the stomach, helping to flush out toxins. For this reason, it also assists with healthy weight balance.

Makes you glow with health and beauty

Lemon has many benefits for skin, but it also helps purify the blood as well as aiding in the production of new blood cells that act as cleaning agents.

The water and honey create a restorative, antibacterial and collagen boosting powerhouse for your skin too.

So there you have it, my verdict is overwhelming positive and I highly, thoroughly recommend it. Plus it’s freakin’ delicious.

Disclaimer: I have become incredibly fussy about which honey and which lemons I use, and can see that makes all the difference.

I am blessed to live in the pristine Tasmania, Australia where I source raw, unheated honey and organic lemons from the trees of my neighbours.

When I am desperate and resort to supermarket lemons and honey, the result is not the same (it just tastes like fake sugary lemony yumminess).

Proper honey and healthily grown lemons are the key.

As well as a big handbag to carry them everywhere.

Bonus: the right kind of honey.

Source: Spirit Science and Metaphysics

In a TV show called “Avatar: The Last Airbender” a character is trying to reach his spiritual potential, but can’t due to emotional and psychological blockages he has.

He is then guided through the emotions associated with the 7 energy centers of the body and is show how to open them up to achieve his highest state of being. This is great not only for children, but for anyone of any age.

It’s cool to see stuff like this taught in children’s shows!

By: Laurie Barraco / Source: Conscious Life News

The practice of writing down your thoughts, hopes, dreams and life experiences is one of the most valuable and important spiritual practices one can have. This practice is known as journaling or keeping a personal diary.

I can speak from my own first hand experience that the ritual of documenting your experiences, emotions, thoughts and insights can help you move through life’s challenges as well as help you find solutions on your own by simply putting your thoughts to paper.

7 Big Benefits of Journaling:

1. Connect with your higher self
2. Manifest specific desires
3. Become more psychic
4. Remember your dreams
5. Receive messages from your guides, crossed over loved ones, angels etc.
6. Allow your creative flow to get moving
7. Receive answers to some of the challenges you may be facing

These are just a few of the many benefits you may receive from a regular journal practice.Writing in your journal is an interesting process.

I have been “shown” by my guides the actual process of what is going on in the etheric realms when we sit down and allow thoughts and ideas to move through us from the etheric realm into the physical.

When you journal, an energy connection is created between the non-physical realms (etheric, non-physical you) and the physical realm (where we live). The act of journaling is another way of receiving light from source.

The information moves through you energetically as it makes the journey from your higher self to your personality and physical self. You receive a tune-up and your batteries are charged for the time being.

What if you really want to journal but don’t have anything to write about? I have a few of my suggestions.

Write down.

• Your blessings
• Questions that have been struggling with and not finding the answers to
• Your goals, intentions
• Qualities you would like to embody for yourself
• Prayers for yourself or others
• Some of the areas in your life that you would like some assistance
• What your best day ever would look like
• Your achievements that were at one time challenges

I do suggest writing in your journal as often as possible. It does not matter what time of the day you journal. How, when, or where you write your entries is up to each individual.

Journaling is and does look different for each and every one of us. There really is no wrong way to journal, the simple action of putting thoughts to paper and allowing a steady stream of consciousness to flow will be a blessing for you.

Hopefully, you now have a different view on journaling and will either continue to journal or will begin a journaling practice, the pros most certainly outweigh the cons – which are simply remaining stagnant.