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What Is Living Soulfully?
What is living soulfully? First, it is about investing in and having faith
in yourself. It
isn’t about commercialism, theology, peer pressure, the supernatural, or
politics. It
often involves rolling up your sleeves, and being willing to apply real
effort into
everything that you do. It means that you’re honest, have vision, keep an
open
mind, and that you’re willing to work on being a better person. The support
of
others, professional help, books, tapes, lectures, and the tools mentioned
here can
help you to be focused and dedicated to living soulfully. Soulful living
will permeate
your life, although it doesn’t take it over. Those who are living soulfully
might not
be perfect, but they have learned from past experiences, have acceptance and
work
toward persistent stability in their lives. As your life becomes more
soulful,
you will draw others to you who want to lead healthy, purposeful and
balanced lives.
Living soulfully is more easily explained by answering a question that I’m
often
asked: "Why do I believe in Numerology?" My answer is: “It helps to
illustrate who I
am, and what I can become.” Discovering who you are and working to develop
into
the person that you aspire to be is living soulfully. Studying Numerology,
for me, is
entwined within living soulfully. I believe in its power to provide general
guidance
and personality maps. You may like other tools or techniques that you’re
comfortable
with. Psychology and Numerology, as well as the Enneagram, Feng Shui,
Astrology,
Tarot, or the Runes can bring insightful guidance into your life. You can
use this
guidance to discover more about yourself, make life-affirming choices,
connect with
others and to develop opportunities.
Living soulfully means that you are ready to pursue your opportunities. It
means
that you are willing to explore the corridors of your soul. This means that
as
you are becoming the person that you aspire to be, you may have to accept
some
difficult memories, or unpleasant personality traits brought up by your
work.
You may even have obstacles to overcome. However, you know that a little
persistence and optimism will pay off. Inspiration may come from seemingly
unlikely
sources, such as the writings of controversial author Jose Saramago. He
says, “I
realize we are all blind. We never truly see each other or ourselves.” Living soulfully
means that you have opened your eyes and realize that it can be possible to
know
yourself! It can be possible to chase your dreams!
Living soulfully means that you have found ways to be empowered and keep
hope
alive, as this should be a life worth living. Your tool choice can help you
to pursue
your dreams, by focusing on your strengths, weaknesses and challenges. Also,
it can
help you to navigate around blind spots and problems. But, living soulfully
means
that you’re willing to work on your issues and you acknowledge limitations,
yet
you are not hiding or burying your head in the sand. Instead, you are trying
to be
the best that you can be. You recognize that although no tool is perfect,
they can be
used to help you to move past difficulties and help you to unearth long
forgotten
talents, abilities and dreams that can now be acted on.
Living soulfully means that you’re looking for ways to grow and achieve.
Indeed,
growth and the continuing struggle to endure play a strong role within
soulful living.
New growth can be accomplished by learning to listen and act on your dreams
and
personal calls from your heart. We are often encouraged to mature, because
of a life
altering experience or a call from deep within ourselves. When we listen to
our
personal call, we honor ourselves and work toward becoming the person we
want to
be. This can mean that you try out for the Devil Rays at 35, like Jim Morris
did. It can
mean that you overcome almost impossible odds, and achieve great success
after
conquering illness, like Lance Armstrong. It can mean that you learn to play
an
instrument, give up a habit, move to a better community, or go back to
school.
Living soulfully incorporates the principles mentioned above and allows for
balance
between your various personal needs. These include emotional,
intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual needs. Each has a place in
balanced soulful
living. Maintaining balance between your needs allows you to be whole. You
can
begin to balance your needs in basic ways. I like to relax by watching my
aquarium,
which fulfills some of my emotional needs. Some ways in which you can
fulfill your
emotional needs, include listening to music, enjoying an occasional cigar on
your
front porch, watching your children play, hiking, and relaxing with friends.
The hard
part may be in not focusing too much on any one need. Keeping a journal may
also
be a way to develop peace and an understanding of your needs.
Living soulfully means responsibility. It means being willing to learn more
about
yourself and taking the steps that you need to take to lead a balanced life.
Living
soulfully means that you are expressing who you are. Hopefully, you are also
having
fun, as you are working on ways to develop, grow and improve. Also, you will
be
sharing your life with others, and helping them to achieve their dreams as
you
achieve yours. All of this is what living soulfully means to me. Ultimately,
living
soulfully means that as we become better people, we are helping to build
better
communities and helping to shape a bright future for the world at large. It
all starts
with you.
Have you become the person that you aspire to be?
Copyright © 2003 Rob Ragozzine. All
Rights Reserved.
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