7 Ways to Align With Purpose Right Now, Without the Overhaul

It is in our human nature to seek purpose in the things we do, in our outward actions and their results. We also tend to look for purpose, and a sense of belonging with the people around us, our kids, our lover, our friends and family. We believe that our sense of purpose comes in exchange for all the outwardly actions we do for them, and of how that makes them, and us feel as a result. We also believe purpose is in how well we do do at work, how much we achieve, how much we accomplish, how much money we make and in the accumulation of the stuff we collect. Of course a sense of purpose can be found in all of these things, but happens after you have it all? When happens when the Soul calls you in, and becomes too loud to ignore? What happens when the desire to know more about who YOU really are, why YOU are here, and what YOUR own life purpose is all about, becomes more important than the stuff, and other people?

I have myself have, and witnessed others close in my life experience this, where the call of Soul becomes so loud that they go all out extreme, ransacking their whole lives, taking part in this life overhaul, a controlled chaos of sorts, ditching everything and everyone that they have known and loved, in a bid to find the answer to the burning questions 'Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose?' Some people might feeling like doing this, yet without having a conscious awareness of call from the within. They just feel the questioning, burning unconsciously within, yet showing up consciously, and consistently as feelings of unfulfillment, dissatisfaction, confusion and even depression and illness. Not to mention the anxiety from the niggling questioning 'Could the grass really be greener on the other side of my life?', 'What else is there for me?' or Is this really it?'

Misalignment from purpose can also show up as a deep questioning sense of doubt about all you have come to know, who you are and how live in your life today. Feelings of unworthiness and dissatisfaction about where you are, who you are with, what you do for a living, and all that you have, or are yet to accomplish on your current course of life, are primarily based on conditions used to search for purpose outside of self.

Yoga teaches us that the path to enlightenment is within us, not outside of us. With that in mind it would make sense to say that no matter where we are in the world, who we are with, or what we are doing, unless we set off on that journey inward, no matter what we do, how much we earn, where we live, what we love, and who we leave behind, we will still be disengaged from true purpose and inner alignment no matter what. Things will stay that way until you have found it within yourself.

The good news about all this is that to find yourself, align with soul and realize your purpose you need not go anywhere. You don't have to leave your husband/wife/spouse/partner/whomever, NO! You don't have to leave your job, NO! You don't have to abandon your kids, NO! Never do that! Although in spite of not having to leave them all behind, of course you can, and should begin to change how you interact with these people for a time. Perhaps you could choose to take more time for you, and spend less time trying to please them, thinking if they are happy then you are happy. Do more for you and less for them BUT WITHOUT GUILT and wait and see what happens as a result.

Just as soon as you start focusing on yourself more with conviction and without guilt, you will soon feel freer as the bitterness, the resent, the sense of drudgery you have felt from always focusing on THEM first will be left behind. As soon as you put YOU first, you will feel a renewed sense of purpose within, and in the things you do for others will be from a place of love because you are giving from a full glass, instead of an empty vessel. You can turn that tired old energy around with a fresh sense of perspective of what you do, and how you do the things you do for the people around you, without feeling that they are holding you back from living on your own terms, and that your only purpose is to serve and please them.

When you turn your attention to you, and focus on your own passions, wants and desires more deeply, you begin connecting with, and filling yourself up with Soul energy, and your own stream of abundant consciousness that comes as a result of this connection. When you do this, you will have so much more to give back to others without feeling that you are losing, or missing out on anything. Everything you do for them from that perspective will be brimming with love, creativity and a sense of purpose. Everyone around you will soon change too as a result of the interaction with an energy like the one that you are now pouring forth upon them.

This is the perfect time to add that not everyone might accept the new you, and try to make it difficult for you in some ways. Please know that difficult people need not be obstacles to your growth, and fulfilment of purpose unless you continue to mentally and emotionally let them hold you back. It took me years to figure this out, and when I did I realised how liberated I could be, just by a change of perspective, with less pride and a large dose of humility to boot. This was how I was finally able to let go of making others responsible for my set backs. By letting go of blame, shame and not allowing myself to feel victimized by their actions anymore.

There is no Universal Law of Assertion, only Attraction. There is nothing anyone can assert on you unless you allow it. We live in an attraction based Universe, so with that in mind, ask yourself today 'What is it that I am allowing into my experience that I can change today? How can I free my mind and heart to focus more on myself right now? How can I invite alignment and fulfillment in my daily reality from where I stand?' And just like that, you have the ability to change your life by stepping into your power fully, all from because of a simple shift of mindset.

Life is simple, and the older I get the more I realise that everything we experience is the result of our beliefs, our projections and expectations. With that in mind, I have truly come to understand that to find true purpose and alignment with Soul, all that is often needed is a simple shift of perspective, teamed with new habits, behaviours and beliefs to get the ball rolling. Eventually you realise that your sense of purpose has been there all along. Life and Soul have been constantly offering signposts and nudges, guiding you toward it, yet with the constant attention outside of yourself, you were never truly able to line up with it.

You can be truly happy where you are. You can be happy with what you do, and happy with who you are with. You can still be happy, yet feeling a little stale. It is not the end of the world. Perhaps could use some new hobbies or interests? Maybe you want to feel challenged in some new and interesting ways? Maybe there's an inner nudge that is undeniable, knocking away at you, trying to tell you there could be more to you and your life? Quite often just a slight change of perspective is enough to ignite that inner spark of your soul's creativity, to get the magic happening in your life again. Remember purpose exists in the small day to day events of life, life is purpose, so live it. It is not just about some grand finale that you have been waiting for, making your way toward. Purpose is now.

Life can be beautiful no matter where you are, though again it depends on how you choose to look at it. Don't be hasty, take it easy, trust, and know that if you are meant to move you will be moved, and that nothing can stop you. The divine order of things will make sure of that. So for now, relax, take a deep breath in and enjoy the beauty of the life you already have around you.

Everything is always working out for you, no matter how tough it may seem. Life will move you according to your beliefs and desires, but in the end you have a choice to stay or move with it. All I am saying is that to experience a profound change in your inner life, need not be a result of a profound change in your outer life. You can do it now, right here, right now, where you are, and without the overhaul.

Here are my 7 ways to begin aligning with life purpose right now, without the overhaul:

1. Choose joy now. Turn your attention to something that makes you feel happy and joyful. Hold onto those feelings by remaining focused there as much as you can, and whenever you start to slip to feelings of doubt, fear, sadness or unhappiness through the day, turn your attention to that thing that makes you feel joy. A pet is a perfect example of a unconditionally joyful focus. Maybe there is an event coming up that you are excited about. Focus on that. Finding joyful focus is not complicated. In fact, it is the easiest way to begin tapping into, and harnessing the creative power of your mind. Keep looking for other things in your life that bring you joy, and keep your focus there. Soon you will realize just how many amazing things there are in your life that bring you joy when you decide to focus there first.

2. If you have a great deal of struggle, grief or negativity in your life right now, and you feel it is impossible for you to just turn on a happy feeling, then I recommend keeping it really simple. Instead of seeking out joy, simply look for satisfaction. Satisfaction can be easy to find as you go about your daily routine of eating, drinking, resting, even sleeping. Let yourself feel satisfied by your robust, and flavorful morning coffee, the delicious taste of your lunch, the comforting feeling of tea as you drink it in, the luxurious feeling of the fluffy pillows on your bed at night, or maybe a plant in your home that has been growing nicely. Satisfaction is easy to find in the simplicity of your day to day life. Finding it, and maintaining enough focus there will eventually gain momentum, then build up into feelings of joy and happiness about the life you are living today.

3. Look for things to appreciate, and bask in a feeling of appreciation. I do not mean gratitude here, I mean appreciation, for they are completely different states of being. Gratitude is a state of being that has emerged as a result of surviving some sort of hardship. Gratitude can be described as the feeling of relief from the struggle, and being thankful for that. The underlying vibe of gratitude is one of struggle if you really reflect on the undertone of what it means. Gratitude is not a feeling that is unconditionally aligned with flow because it has the energy of baggage behind it, whereas appreciation denotes unconditional thankfulness. I am not saying it is wrong to be grateful, what I am saying is that it simply is not as pure a state of being as appreciation is. Appreciation is a pure form of love, and when you feel appreciative you are vibing in a pure state of love, flow and recognition of the beauty, and the beingness of the thing, person or situation that your attention is focused upon. You appreciate it simply for the beauty of what IT IS. This is what it means to be in the now, focused in the present moment while holding an object or person in your attention just because you simply appreciate it/them for what it is, or they are. This is a state of being based in unconditional love that instantly connects your to your Soul flow. This is the flow that aligns instantly with feelings of purpose, and bliss as a result. So go forth now, and find the object of your appreciation right where you are, focus there and let the good times roll!

4. Discover your passions. What are you passionate about? Passion is the gateway to purpose, and you were born with that seed in you, something that you would feel into, nurture, grow and express outwardly. Your passion is something that lights your fire. It directs you toward knowing your gifts and your talents. It's your cause. It's something you truly believe in, and care about. Find it, trust it, then follow it.

5. Cultivate your creativity. Creativity is the conduit of the Soul, and once you have found your passion, and decided to follow it, the creative energy that exists in all things will be let loose and will set your Soul on fire. Let it go and as you let yourself move with it as it expresses through you, just see how much purpose, passion and life you will feel as a result. creativity is the essence of your beingness, and is the driving force behind the growth and expansion you will experience in your life.

6. See your struggles as assets. They are situations that will bring forth opportunities for the growth and evolution of character. Without struggle there would be no means to help you give birth to, and navigate new desires in your life. If you did not desire, then you would not want, and if you did not want then there would be no trigger to push a forward moving momentum of energy toward the things you long to create, be, do or have in your life. Without want you would not seek out new pathways toward the life giving experience that will bring forth the fruit of your desires. Without desire \you would be stale, stagnant and unevolving. You would truly be without purpose.

7. Look for the best in the people around you. The Universal Law of Attraction states that what you focus on expands. This applies to your experience with other people too. Look for the best in the people around you, even when it is hard. In fact, especially when it is hard. If there is someone in your life that you simply cannot abide, and you have to be around them for whatever reason, keep looking for the best in them. Even if it is a small thing, focus in on it and as soon as your mind starts to drift to feelings of dislike and irritation, focus right back in on that thing you like about them again. Your attention to that part of them will expand, drawing more if it into your experience. Law of attraction will grab hold of it, it will build momentum in your experience, then before you know it you will keep seeing more of what you are focusing on in that person. I have literally transformed my experience in relationships with those close to me just by doing this. It means letting go of blaming them, swallowing your pride, accepting humility, and then being willing to step into your own power as creator of your own reality. Even when someone is so bad that you simply cannot bear to be near them, ask yourself what is it I am learning from this person? Every situation is an opportunity to grow, and for you take take your power back. So go on, take it back right now by choosing to shift your focus to a perspective that empowers you, instead of one that drains you.

These are very simple, yet profound ways that you can take your power back, and gain a genuine sense of purpose in your life. It is possible to align with the purpose that is yours to live no matter what, where, or whom you are with, anytime anyplace, and anywhere. You truly are the creator of your own reality, and harnessing then directing this power begins with the choice to go inward, accepting responsibility for yourself, and letting go of blaming others around you for the state of your life.

Again, you are the creator of your own reality, this is your greatest power. There is no assertion, only attraction. You can do it! You have the power, and the minute you step back into that power, your life with shift into becoming one of joy, passion, creativity and purpose no matter what....Life is your to live, so why not live it the best way you can today, right here and now?....You can do it!

Until next time...

Don't forget to be realistic, and daydream often,

Ashleigh xo