mapquest for dharma
it pays to plan ahead.
it wasn't raining when noah built the ark.
we type b people love to say we just 'go with the flow' or 'whatever will be, will be' or my favorite, 'its all about the journey . . .' (my type a husband cringes when i repeat any of the above) but you know what? these can actually be great mantras . . . until they're not.
you see, sometimes i have to ask myself: how much of my life is lived out by pure mishap and happenstance, rather than by design.
and just think how much better it could be if i began living more with purpose - on purpose.
we all have one, you know. a purpose, that is. a reason for being here. a meaning for our existence.
«the beginning of my year began at a new year's retreat with the uber-inspirational kimberly wilson. during our time, she asked all of us well-intentioned participants to set some goals and then compose a letter to ourselves - that she would send out mid-year. this letter was to be written with the presumption that we would be half-way there towards our goal.
i'm not . . . and my letter has sat on my dresser, unopened, for the past 2 months.»
i happen to believe we are all born with a higherpurpose, a reason for being - already determined. as psychologist viktor frankle explained, it is a meaning not invented by ourselves, but rather detected.
in yoga, we call this dharma - what you were uniquely born to be. dharma is your personal compass, revealing your path and offering your life direction. and everyone has this lifetracking system.
and while i have a vague sense of what that is for me, my rather laissez-faire attitude keeps me stuck in a more conceptual lifestyle - rather than living a life with distinct direction.
there's something more to life than just living life willy-nilly, and it's entirely up to you to not only realize and assume your intended greatness, and that doesn't happen by just luck . . . or does it?
you see, sometimes i have to ask myself: how much of my life is lived out by pure mishap and happenstance, rather than by design.
and just think how much better it could be if i began living more with purpose - on purpose.
we all have one, you know. a purpose, that is. a reason for being here. a meaning for our existence.
«the beginning of my year began at a new year's retreat with the uber-inspirational kimberly wilson. during our time, she asked all of us well-intentioned participants to set some goals and then compose a letter to ourselves - that she would send out mid-year. this letter was to be written with the presumption that we would be half-way there towards our goal.
i'm not . . . and my letter has sat on my dresser, unopened, for the past 2 months.»
i happen to believe we are all born with a higherpurpose, a reason for being - already determined. as psychologist viktor frankle explained, it is a meaning not invented by ourselves, but rather detected.
in yoga, we call this dharma - what you were uniquely born to be. dharma is your personal compass, revealing your path and offering your life direction. and everyone has this lifetracking system.
and while i have a vague sense of what that is for me, my rather laissez-faire attitude keeps me stuck in a more conceptual lifestyle - rather than living a life with distinct direction.
there's something more to life than just living life willy-nilly, and it's entirely up to you to not only realize and assume your intended greatness, and that doesn't happen by just luck . . . or does it?
i've heard it said . . .
❝luck is the intersection where preparedness and opportunity come together.❞
well then, opportunity is what life throws our way - but the work to get us there is all up to us. and for that, we need a plan. so, right now - get out your journal. (you have one, right?) you're about to begin a journey . . .
- where do you want to go? (write it down)
- what route do you want to take to get there? (write down each avenue and street you must venture down)
- how long do you expect it to take? (be realistic)
wow, sorry to get all type a on you. but you know what? i've left for new places without a map before and ended up either lost, or arriving by chance - long after i was due.
is your dharma really something you want to leave to chance?
can you really afford to be late, or not show up at all?
because when you're living your dharma - your life's true purpose - your divine intention will radiate in brilliance. remember, your God-given talents are not optional gifts to share - they are a vital piece thats part of a plan bigger than you. your dharma is not only about you - its about us all.
my good friend - your life is NOT by accident.
p.s. opening my letter to me NOW.
Posted by peg mulqueen at 9/17/2009 6:49 AM 
Categories: yoga, dharma
Tags: yoga planning life goals dharma
Categories: yoga, dharma
Tags: yoga planning life goals dharma
dearest peg,
i like to think of living in a way that is strategically driven with a dash of going with the flow. organic growth. is it possible? i hope so! it's my daily intention.
yay for opening the letter and penning such a thought-provoking post.
xoxo
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organic growth . . . i like that! in fact, so much - i will WRITE IT DOWN! ♥
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Beautifully said. Since writing a vision story of how I want my life to be in 10 years (thanks to http://www.bigfishnation.com), a lot of what I want has shown up much sooner. A plan, even if not for today, provides benefits you may not even expect right now, and gives you the strength to take a baby step forward every day.
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hey - thanks for the link to big fish nation . . . i want to swim with the big fish too!
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Love this: 'opportunity is what life throws our way - but the work to get us there is all up to us.' It's also about having an open heart/mind to those opportunities. Maybe because it's almost Fall (even in Fall-less LA), but I am in total intention setting/finding my purpose mode. Your blog post is so appropos. btw...2 1/2 years ago I took Kimberly's fab New Years' workshop and got my letter in LA - after taking beginning level yoga teacher training, leaving AOL and Virginia. Talk about intention setting!
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oh i'm so glad to hear from you! we miss you here! like you, fall finds me longing to put things in order. i wander all summer, but come september, i'm ready to put roots down once more and grow with purpose. and part of that work meant opening that letter! ha! wasn't so bad . . . like asking for directions when you're lost. then, on my way once more. keep me updated, my sweet! xo
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