In the midst of life’s chaos, there exists a profound truth: the significance of living in harmony with your deepest values. It’s a philosophy beautifully encapsulated by Howard Thurman’s words, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Living our values helps us to come alive, to live our life with purpose and to follow our own path.
The Essence of Following Your Path
In essence, following your own path is not just a choice; it’s a commitment to being true to yourself, to your values, and to your innermost desires. It’s about more than individuality; it’s about embracing your authentic self and navigating a journey that aligns with your innate gifts and ways you can be of service in the world. It’s stepping into a realm where life feels effortless, balanced, and harmonious—a place where you are free to be truly, unapologetically, yourself.
The Challenge and Beauty of the Path Less Travelled
Embarking on your own path is not always a walk in the park. Joseph Campbell’s iconic concept of ‘The Heroes Journey’ illuminates the challenges we face when forging our unique way in the world. It’s a journey that demands self-reflection and courage, one that necessitates unravelling the layers of conditioning that have shaped us. Often, the beliefs we hold are not our own but those imparted by caregivers and society. To follow our own path, we must peel back these layers and rediscover our authentic selves.
The Keys to Following Your Own Path
To embark on this profound journey, a few key elements are vital:
- Inner Connection
- Practices like Sophrology and meditation help us access that part of us that is seemingly bigger and holds everything together – our consciousness, the truest essence of our self. This inner connection becomes our anchor, offering safety, stability, and a sense of purpose.
- Safety
- Feeling safe within ourselves is crucial. For some, trauma can complicate this feeling, taking time and sometimes necessitating therapy to rebuild internal safety. Sophrology techniques can be used as a complement or alternative to therapy, working to generate a feeling of safety in the body, not just the mind. When we feel secure internally, we can bravely navigate the external world, living our values authentically.
- Purpose and Meaning
- Discovering our purpose might take time, but it’s essential. Exploring activities that bring joy, understanding our values, and recognising our strengths can guide us. Sophrology can serve as a tool to explore our potential, fostering trust and self-belief.
- Trust and Intuition
- Trust and self-belief grow as we take steps along our path. Embracing intuition, that subtle inner guide, allows us to make decisions aligned with our true selves. Embodied awareness, cultivated through practices like Sophrology, enhances intuition, helping us make authentic choices.
- Balance and Self-Regulation
- When we feel more balanced, life can take on a greater sense of ease, we avoid overwhelm, anxiety and burn-out. To create or restore balance requires both the awareness of when we’re out of balance and the ability or freedom to make new choices. We gain mastery over our default modes and unhelpful patterns of behaviour so we don’t overdo certain things. This self-regulation, rooted in mindful living, fosters sound judgment and helps us make choices that align with our path.
Staying on Track
There will be bumps in the road, we may get stuck from time to time, or simply not want to go any further. There is usually some or other fear behind our resistance to continuing along the path. Fear is natural but not insurmountable. Acknowledging fear and moving forward regardless, as Susan Jeffers advises, empowers us. It’s also an opportunity to test the assumptions behind our fears and seeking support from others can provide strength and resilience.
Commitment fuels progress. Embracing the inevitability of change, coupled with a willingness to adapt, is essential. Even missteps offer valuable lessons, guiding us back to our path.
Embrace Your Path, Embrace Well-Being:
Following your own path is not just a route to self-discovery; it’s a gateway to happiness, contentment, and a fulfilling life. It’s a journey that leads to well-being, connecting you with your innermost desires and allowing you to live a life deeply rooted in your values. As Oprah Winfrey beautifully puts it, “There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honour your calling. It’s why you were born and how you become most truly alive.”
So, wherever you are in your journey, remember this: life is an ever-changing adventure. Embrace your calling, follow your path, and watch as the magic of living in alignment with your values transforms your existence into a meaningful, purpose-driven adventure. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wisely said, “Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” Your path to well-being awaits.
Carla Forth, Sophrologist at The Stress Solution Sophrology
World Values Day 2023 is on the 19th of October. Join a free online sophrology practice on World Values Day to make a conscious connection with a personal value and discover how it can be more present in your daily life. Register here