Feeding the Soul
“The soul is the truth of who we are.” — Marianne Williamson
Who am I? The voice within echoes in the corridors of my mind once again. Who am I? The truth is, I often do not know. I have repeatedly fallen victim to being imprisoned in the gap between my conditioned mind and my feeling heart.
My mind becomes desperate and confused, embarrassed even, because of the answer which eludes me. There is a part of me that craves and yearns to accomplish something truly extraordinary, and finally to extinguish the hurtful feelings of dissatisfaction, disappointment, and discouragement. The tyrannical ego thus sends my spirit into hiding.
The voices inside my head that spur me on to achieve bigger and better goals. My thoughts and beliefs that I will never be good enough, because others have achieved so much more. Ideas and dreams that never grow into fruition. Reflections of my past that plague me with feelings of sadness, anxiety, self-doubt, and shame. Those roots grow deep inside my heart while the vines intertwine, slowly squeezing the life from me.
Is it wrong to dream big, reach high, and crave more? I don’t think so. A sense of purpose and self-worth is critical for well-being and is definitely a part of human nature. I believe we can still be dedicated and committed to working hard to achieve our greatest dreams and live our best lives without feeling imprisoned by our identities.
Is it wrong to envy? I have certainly fallen victim to that toxic emotion. I don’t believe it is wrong, as envy is a valid human emotion, and we are human, after all. The problem for me begins when the process becomes so toxic to my heart, mind, and soul that I lose myself to false identity, unrealistic expectations, and self-torture. It is precisely then that soul work becomes critical for me to maintain balance and well-being.
Feeding my soul is not always easy to do when the ever-increasing pace of life summons me to dream bigger, reach higher, and accomplish more. As I witness those around me achieving the unimaginable, I can become ever more swept up by the raging storm that carries me all the further from the shores of sweet bliss, which nourish and feed my spirit, lovingly leading it to personal freedom. The voices inside my mind become so loud and in sync with the tumultuous, ear-piercing thunderbolts, and the waves that swallow me whole, making it impossible to breathe. It is in striking a balance between the two that I can begin to illuminate the path home.
Forgiveness and acceptance often begin the journey hand in hand. The world around us can easily tempt us into focusing our energy on negativity, causing worry and fear. Falling victim to life’s conditioning about the idea of success can begin even at the tenderest age. So, I think forgiveness, acceptance, and self-compassion are instrumental in calming the waters. It is easy to forget that, just as we feed our dreams, our hearts require love, commitment, and recognition. Our bodies, minds, and souls are the grateful recipients of this precious practice; when all align, we feel and shine brighter and brighter.
In this busy world, it is easy to lose sight of the importance of coming home to yourself, and yet, we are divine beings, so deserving of this graceful ritual. We are not our thoughts. Making the choice to reconnect to our essence by leaving all the external noise behind allows us to rise towards self-love. This involves peeling back the layers of armor we’ve built around our hearts, which are weighing us down.
Suddenly, like falling stars, we can allow ourselves to surrender and fall into the brilliant light of divinity that shines so deeply within us. We can let go of anger, frustration, and envy, whose entangled tentacles pull us down into the depths of desperation and despair. Instead, like the tiny hummingbird drawn to a blossoming garden, we can return home to our hearts and our spirits for sweet nourishment. This is exactly when we summon our highest self.
I invite you to close your eyes now and just breathe deeply. Feel the breath travel all the way down to your belly. Feel your chest rise and fall softly. Begin to relax your muscles one by one, allowing any tension to just melt away. As you relax even more, begin to bring your awareness to the stillness and silent space you are creating all around you.
Inhale and exhale, while your mind becomes free of thoughts and expectations. Let all the worries and anxieties you came here with just fade away. Truly become one with the breath, and create a vast open space, like a wide open country field filled with colorful flowers. Allow yourself to come home to your truth, to stretch and to grow. Observe your thoughts like seeds in the breeze. Watch without engaging. They come, and they go.
As you become more grounded and more centered, allow this radiant landscape to become a playground in which your soul can thrive, rejoice, and simply play. Create space for your soul to come out of hiding. There is no judgment here. There is no criticism here, only love, life, and true presence. There is only this moment here and now, which belongs only to you.
There is safety here. There is protection here. Here and now, all is well. You are safe. Love blooms without conditions. Through exploration and discovery, you can begin to listen, feel, and feed your soul. Allow your journey to awaken who you really are and who you're meant to be, leading you to purpose, peace, and truth.
You are exactly who you’re supposed to be, as opposed to who you believe you are supposed to be to appease others. It is here, while you gently feed your soul that you heal, grow, and evolve. Let go of any resistance, continue to feed your soul, and let your light SHINE BRIGHT!
