Before I started exploring and learning about Holistic healing, I was wandering about enjoying my day to day life. I had a good corporate job with awesome coworkers, had lots of spare time to hang out and travel with friends, had a rewarding journey being a scouter with my Scout group. That was my peaceful life in the vibrant Vancouver. But there's a crucial element that was missing, which was my purpose in life. I always wondered about it since I was young; and because it wasn't found, my experiences through life lacked certain depth.
Like a boat sailing the ocean without a destination, it just stays close to the shore leisurely enjoys the scenery day by day. Sunshine and still water? Great. Storm and mad waves? That's fine too.
But when I found what I wanted to be and do with my life, things shifted so fast. I was able to combine my interest in spirituality, wellness, and arts with my motivation in community building and sustainability. The Sagittarius me came out and inhaled lots of readings and teachings everyday. I remember completing 15 books, in the first 3-4 months, on different topics - Buddhism, mindfulness, meditation, past life regression hypnotherapy, UFO, feng shui, energy healing, Eastern medicine, etc. Seems random but one thing just guided the next thing, and I went with it. As I started putting the theories into practice, I saw aspects of me with more clarity - the subtle patterns and habituation, the pet peeves, the triggers, the strength, the passion, .. all allowed me to see life with such depth that never been experienced before. I observed life happening beyond the plane of forms, beyond the hustle and bustle. A lot of unlearning but somehow felt so at home..
During this time (about 3 years), having a reason to be, I completed the training with Yoga and Reiki, embarked on a few meditation retreats, and became committed to Buddhist study (I grew up with Buddhism but it was just a part of the daily life, like we know something exists but not really curious to know how it exists)
It's quite shocking seeing this eager Alex, because I always saw myself as not good with studying (if you see my GPA you'll be sad fr). Having the purpose in life navigating me, I gained a lot of trust in myself through gathering the related knowledge and practice. I decided to make a big shift: to move away from the concrete jungle called Vancouver, and to be a full-time Holistic healing practitioner. I literally didn't think much and jumped in with both feet. The move was interesting, none of my coworkers or friends believed I'd move to the island by myself, knowing nothing about the place or the people. Then I landed in Nanaimo, and figured out life from a fresh start. The learning curve was, and still is, super sharp so let's not romanticize this and just say Alex didn't think much. Haha. But I feel so alive ever since, loving all the small accomplishments and struggles.
It's so fortunate to have the support from my company, friends and family, and amazing peeps I get to connect with in Nanaimo. Without everyone's kindness, I can't imagine where I could be now..
You see, when the boat has a destination, it can part with the shore to head out with motivations and dreams. The waves are rough, the sea is more unforgiving, and those sea creatures.. oooofff.. but the experiences are more rewarding everytime.
I'd like to share one practice that planted the shift for me, and gave me clarity on life purpose, a reason to be, la raison d'être. It's called IKIGAI:
You might have heard of this already!
I knew of Ikigai when I was in uni already, but it was just a theory. When I reconnected with it and did a simple practice on a paper (see below), however, all the stars aligned ✨ After a few year, that piece of paper still hangs on the wall in front of my desk as a reminder.
Friends, if you are on the quest for your life purpose, if you are looking to live life with more depth and clarity, I invite you to give this practice a try. It doesn't take much time, just probably 1 hour of dedicated concentration
STEP 1: create 4 columns on a piece of paper or your digital device
STEP 2: list out the keywords for each column. The keywords of one column don't need to be related to the other columns' and not restrictive to careers/jobs, so definitely take into account your hobbies and interests, and make the columns diverse and vibrant
STEP 3 (where magic happens): create bridges start from column 4 back to 1. The bridges connect keywords that potentially can be related and work well together. Essentially, you are looking for something that the world needs, and can be a career opportunity, and you are good at delivering it as well as enjoy doing it!
This practice can help us see the big picture of our path, and the reasons why we continue walking this path. The reasons would be the most important element, because it's the core vision that resonate with our inner values. Start everything we do (the WHAT) with the WHY, and you'll have a sustainable momentum with less distractions.
Right now if you read this journal entry from the start again, it might make more sense ;>
Row row row your boat.
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream
When you embark on a spiritual journey - a journey that is close to your spirit/your inner home, you are encouraged to see life with different aspects and planes of consciousness. Like a dream, the true nature of how this world operates can't be easily understood. Your perspective creates your reality and world view, as such it's not the absolute reality, just relative. In that sense, the moment your perspective changes, the world around you changes.
I invite you to find your path, and walk your path with trust and ease so that your voyage flows merrily with the currents.
🌊
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