spiritual refinement
Weaving The Tapestry Of Your Life’s Purpose
One of the most profound quests we undertake in this life is the fulfillment of our life’s purpose. It’s a mission that intertwines with the spiritual dimensions of our existence and leads us into the depths of self-discovery, self-actualization, and spiritual growth.
Fulfilling our purpose is not just about a career or business path or setting achievement goals. While these are important aspects of our lives, providing us with means to earn a living and contribute to society, they do not wholly define our purpose and the full scope of our potential fulfillment.
Purpose is about uncovering the essence of our being and aligning it with our greater spiritual existence.
The journey to a more spiritual understanding of our purpose begins with introspection and reflection. These moments of contemplation serve as portals to deeper soul insights, where we question our motives, desires, talents, and the very fabric of our existence.
Personally, I found myself grappling with these questions during a transitional period in my life. I had reached certain career milestones and achieved material success, yet I felt an unshakeable sense of emptiness gnawing at the edges of my being.
The Ancient Wisdom Of The Two Wolves
The story of the Two Wolves holds a special place among my childhood favorites. The moral of this Native American wisdom tale, thought to have originated with the Cherokee tribe, serves as a daily guiding light in my life.
I must confess, there is some sentimental bias on my part, as this story also brings back lovely memories of my remarkable grandfather, Sequoia, a former medicine man and chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Variations of the story exist in various Native American cultures, and it typically goes like this:
One evening, an old Cherokee is teaching his granddaughter about life and says, “My daughter, a fight is going on inside all of us each day. It is the battle between the two wolves.”
“One wolf is evil — anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other wolf is good — joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”
The granddaughter thinks about it for a minute and then asks her grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
My Spiritual Journey To Artistic Triumph
In the realm of creativity, the road to success often winds through valleys of doubt, self-questioning, and external skepticism. My artistic journey was no exception, marked by over 12 years of struggling with self-doubt about my talent.
Fortunately, the turning point in my career came from a profound spiritual transformation that not only dissolved my insecurities, but catapulted me into the radiant light of artistic recognition.
The Valley Of Doubt
Early in my artistic career, the art industrial art complex echoed with the voices of snooty gallery curators who, with dismissive gestures, suggested that my work lacked that elusive quality called “talent.
My artistic endeavors became a constant battle against self-doubt, a relentless inner saboteur that continually cast shadows over my creative efforts. Meanwhile, the rejection letters piled up, creating a formidable barrier between my aspirations and the artistic recognition I craved.
In the depths of artistic despair, I found solace and inspiration in the words of the iconic Audrey Hepburn: “I was born with an enormous need for affection and a terrible need to give it.” This resonated with my journey, where the rejection I faced became the catalyst for a personal reckoning. I decided to turn the tables on those who had once rejected my work. Every “no” I received was transformed into my own resounding “no” to doubt and limitation. Continue reading