Are there times when you have absolutely no idea what to do with your life?
Times when you don't understand why nothing seems to be going your way?
Times when you feel the world, the universe, or the Divine have abandoned you?
At one point or another, we've all felt adrift -- as if we just couldn't sync to the rhythm of our own heart. When you're feeling lost, distant, or disconnected, the most important thing you can do is come into harmony with yourself.
When we're in alignment with who we are at our deepest, most authentic core, we are able to unleash greater possibilities, creativity, and power than we ever thought imaginable. Acceptance of all the various aspects of who we are enables us to embrace fully the true magnificence life has in store and share our soul signature with the world.
It's okay to step away from what everyone else says you have to do to be successful or fulfilled. You can live your own expression, discover your purpose, and embrace your soul signature without judgment. No need to strive to become some unattainable fantasy of what your perfect self is supposed to be, rather than the perfect, authentic being you already are.
Do you know if you're living your truest expression? Have you discovered what resonates with the real you? Here are the telltale signs you're not in alignment with your authentic life.
You're Floundering
It's Monday morning, and you're dreading another workweek. The high-profile profession that once challenged and excited you has now become an instrument of misery. You try thinking your way back to loving your job again -- varying your routine, creating stimulating projects -- but nothing works. You've become crabby and critical. You're frustrated, sad, and nothing seems enjoyable, and the malaise has begun to suffocate other areas of your life. You want things to change, but you have no idea where to start. If you're flailing like a fish on dry land, the first step toward clarity is finding your way back to the water.
Your feelings of stagnation exist because, deep down, you're not being honest with yourself. Roll up your sleeves, take a deep breath, and search your heart. Meditate, journal, jog, do whatever you choose to give yourself the spaciousness to feel your emotions and listen to your inner voice. Swim in the stillness and ask yourself if you're ready to accept every aspect of you--your perceived flaws, errors, your past, everything that makes you who you are. When you finally let go of your story and your ideas of who you're supposed to be, the wellspring of inspiration and abundance will begin to flow again. Limitless possibilities are unleashed when you fully accept your authentic self.
Something's Out of Whack
Your house has been on the market for months and won't sell.
You argue with your spouse or partner constantly.
Your child is failing a class.
Your health is not what it should be.
There's never enough money.
It may not appear so, but these challenges, aggravations, and headaches are actually guideposts pointing you toward something greater that resides within you.
All things that exist outside you are happening because you are not resolved with what's going on inside you. Ask yourself: "Does dealing with money issues frighten me?" "Am I really spending quality time with my kids?" "Why am I so angry with my partner?" "Do I love myself enough to manage my health once and for all?" Bringing awareness to the darker places inside allows you to face your fears and anxieties while dissolving the walls that keep dissonance in place.
When you come into alignment with yourself, the rest of life becomes harmonious. Where there was formerly a low bank balance, savings begin to appear. Where there was once conflict or exasperation with your partner, moments of peace and understanding are restored. Crises are opportunities to uncover your strength, tenacity, and resourcefulness, come back to your true self, and begin accepting who you are in a greater, more loving way.
You Feel You're Being Punished
"I can't take care of what I have, so I'll never have what I want."
"Given my horrible track record, a healthy relationship just isn't in the cards for me."
"I developed this illness so God must really hate me."
When life's obstacles arise, you are not being punished. You're being awakened.
Life can be extremely difficult at times. We may feel we're being cheated or robbed of our happiness by the vibrational roadblocks thrown up in our path. When things seem darkest, we start to believe the world, the universe, God, or even our loved ones are out to sabotage the joy inside us. However, our trials in life come up not because we've done something terrible to deserve them, but to help us grow and expand our consciousness.
Crises and distress are teachings that invite new discoveries about life and who we are at our core. If you can't find a job, it's not because the universe is making a point. If an unconditionally loving relationship has eluded you, it's not because you broke someone's heart in the past. The Divine does not withhold our desires out of spite nor dole out life sentences for perceived failures or missteps. It is pure love and wants nothing more than to have you live at your highest potential and abundance.
There is no escape from the hardships of life -- catastrophes, trauma, heartbreak, or grief. And while they can cause great upheaval, they are also invaluable energetic wake-up calls. Challenges are opportunities to come back to our authentic selves -- the self who is always mighty, compassionate, dedicated, and brilliant. They bring us home to our true soul signature.
When life gets tough, remember the Divine is not taking or withholding anything from you.
It's saying, "You're ready for more."
________________
Contemporary thought leader and spiritual teacher Panache Desai shares a message of love and self-acceptance that has inspired people all over the world to relieve themselves of pain, suffering, sadness, and self-limiting beliefs. He has collaborated with internationally respected figures, including Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith, Elizabeth Lesser, Brian Weiss, MD, Ram Dass, Alan Cohen, James Redfield, and Neale Donald Walsch, and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Network's Emmy Award-winning show, Super Soul Sunday. Panache invites us to harness the power of our authentic selves through our unique soul signature--our spiritual DNA--and be guided by our true purpose. His first book, DISCOVERING YOUR SOUL SIGNATURE: A 33-Day Path to Purpose, Passion, & Joy, goes on sale on April 29 (Random House/Spiegel & Grau). To learn more, visit PanacheDesai.com