Wisdom. Truths. Finding Stillness.
Recently, I heard this example from one of my mentors that left me gutted + speechless.
She shared how the search and rescue dogs from Ground Zero began to lose hope as the days turned into weeks + weeks into months. With few survivors to find, their purpose dissolved + they became depressed, withdrawn + confused because their purpose was no longer met with reward.
Eventually, the cadaver handlers began staging mock rescues to reignite hope + remind the dogs of their purpose.
Before the shutdown, we were all moving at a pace that nothing short of the world stopping could interrupt. It certainly was true for me. I remember the exact moment I sat at the edge of my bed + felt, in every cell of my body, “The world will never be the same.” I cried deep, visceral tears for the uncertainty in that moment + I felt the magnitude of something unstoppable coming.
Fast-forward five years: so much had to fall apart to create space where I could finally unlearn what never belonged to me, so I could begin again with intention + not just momentum.
To pursue a meaningful purpose.
To understand the depth of stillness.
To experience the power of slowing down, especially when everything around you demands acceleration.
And any time I feel conflicted I come back to the truth:
Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should.
Because there are endless paths offered, appealing ones that fit the model of expectation.
And if we aren’t aware of the ability to pause + reflect on our own why, we find ourselves serving the dreams of someone else, slowly losing hope + the purpose of it all.
And even if you have lost your way, I believe there’s a place where everyone can find their purpose, again.
A place where they can slow down, pause + listen to the voice (once) silenced.
A place where desire melts into the soul + becomes undeniable.
A place where the waves wash away any fears + the warmth from the sun brings you back to life.
A place where you feel grounded amongst the ebb + flow of change + where uncertainty doesn’t threaten you, it steadies you.
A place where once the voice is heard, it can never be silenced.
Again.