By Dr. Mark Pitstick
“How can I know what my soul’s missions are?” is a very important question since a vast and varied amount of evidence clearly shows we are spiritual beings.
“Margaret,” an older female in North Carolina, told my workshop group that she didn’t know what her mission was. “I’ve tried and tried to figure it out,” she stated, “and I can’t come up with anything.” In an attempt to help clarify her life purpose, I asked how she spent her time. “Over the last seven years, I’ve helped eight friends and family members who were very ill and stayed with them until they passed on. I’ve been so busy that I don’t have time to figure out my soul’s missions.”
If only all questions were so easy to solve.
Realizing your nature as an infinite soul bestows many gifts including trusting yourself enough to follow your greatest joys. What clearer way could Creator reveal your unique path than by what you are excited and passionate about? As Joseph Campbell said: “If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there the whole while, waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living.”
Follow your heart, do what you feel called to do. Trust your intuition, that wise inner voice that guides you about every aspect of your life. The pieces of life’s puzzle will fall in place as more and more people—starting with you—pursue their bliss. It’s like the old hide the button game: when you’re enthusiastic, you’re getting hotter.
Your soul, in alignment with Divine order, chose missions before you came to earth. Clues to those missions are revealed by your greatest dreams and desires. You and everyone else have life visions and special talents to share. Universe totally supports those who assist God’s plan to bring peace, joy, love, and light on earth.
This is not just lofty, impractical spiritual advice; it’s useful information that can increase the quality and quantity of life. For example, the most common time for heart attacks is early Monday morning. Day after day, year after year of following a path with no heart or soul literally compromises one’s anatomical heart.
I’ve counseled a number of persons who hated their work but were afraid to follow their bliss. “After I retire, then I’ll start that little business I’ve always dreamed of,” they say. When I ask about their life’s dream, they invariably pause for a moment. Then their eyes light up as they describe what they would do “if only…” The truth is, each person can follow his or her calling. Doing so, at least part-time, is a key to experiencing Heaven on earth.
Attending to the soul’s mission is usually a multi-dimensional process. We each have numerous roles in life—family member, significant other, friend, worker, church member, community participant, and individual. Following your bliss doesn’t mean forsaking all other roles and just focusing on one aspect. On the contrary, being totally successful and achieving our soul’s mission means meeting all our roles impeccably.
Fulfilling your various roles can be challenging, but it’s possible. Making a commitment to identify and pursue your dreams is a first step. Some people have the circumstances and chutzpah to make abrupt changes and follow their bliss full time. Others may choose to make a more gradual transition over time. Whichever path you choose, start now!
Let your self dream for a moment using your fullest imagination, then answer this question: “If you knew you could not fail, how would you live?” Let the images flow and feel the excitement as, perhaps for the first time, you become aware of your soul’s callings. Following them will put you in touch with the joy and purpose that is your birthright.
At the same time, be wise about it. A Middle Eastern saying about this is: “Trust Allah, but tie up your camel.” Daily living requires a certain income to survive; don’t rush off and quit your day job prematurely. Stay with your current work and expand your services until you naturally grow into your higher calling.
To begin identifying your soul’s purpose, close your eyes, let yourself become relaxed, and ask for assistance from God and the Heavenly host. Give thanks for guidance and assistance in realizing your soul’s missions. Then listen quietly for that still small voice within. Note any clues that arise spontaneously, such as words, pictures, feelings, colors, people and places. Now answer the following questions by noting the very first response that spontaneously arises:
♦ What are you naturally good at?
♦ What would you do if money were no object?
♦ What would you do if you had only one year to live?
♦ What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?
♦ What would you do without pay because you enjoy it?
♦ What do you read and talk about in your spare time?
♦ What chokes you up, gives you goose bumps, cold chills, and tears in your eyes or pressure over your chest?
♦ How do you feel called to assist global transformation?
Some people think they’re a failure if they don’t single-handedly change the world, but the old church hymn, “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” provides a vital clue. Do the best you can within your sphere of influence and that’s enough. Let your compassionate heart show you who needs help and how. And don’t forget to put yourself on your list of priorities.
Finally, the more you realize you are an integral part of Source Energy, the more your list of goals will expand. You can’t get it all done in this incarnation so don’t drive yourself crazy trying to do so. Remember to work hard, but also play hard and enjoy the journey. Australian aborigines considered it a good life if they helped just one person. Be sure to celebrate what you have accomplished versus judging yourself about what you haven’t done yet. Eternity is a very, very long time—it’s beyond time—so there will eventually be opportunities to get it all done.
Someday you will fly away from this demanding, but wonderfully instructive classroom. Until then, your task is to learn, love, serve, enjoy, and leave this planet a better place than when you arrived. Why not do it with style—an awakened human who remembers your magnificent soul nature and lives accordingly.
Mark Pitstick, MA, DC is an author, radio show host, frequent media guest, chiropractic physician, clinical psychologist, and workshop leader who helps others know and show their magnificence in body, mind, and spirit. In January-March, 2015, he will facilitate classes at Florida churches and holistically/spiritually oriented stores. To schedule an event or find ones in your area, contact him at: mark@soulproof.com 740-775-2189 or online at www.soulproof.com.
