You’re also not your house, your car, the school you went to or the city you live in. And where you are, figuratively speaking and at this stage in life, is not who you are either.

You’re more than just a son or a daughter, a sister or brother, or even a mother or a father.

You’re more than just a friend or family member to those around you.

You’re more than just another citizen, employee, social security number, and human that occupies space and shares the air with others on this planet.

And what you do for a living is certainly not who you are.

You came into this world for a reason. And from whence you came you also brought with you a reason for being, and a gift to give to this world.

You brought with you an intention.

And what that intention is, only you yourself know.

And, you know, the funny thing is is that we spend a good portion of our developmental (childhood) years re-membering what that reason is…only to have adults and those “closest” to us tell us that what we really desire isn’t attainable, reasonable, feasible or even practical—that we should just put that idea out of our mind so as not to become disappointed. Because, god forbid, we should have to face a bit of hardship and disappointment from pursuing our dream!

Where’s the sense in this?

There’s more frustration and tragedy in having forgone or never even having pursued your life’s dream in lieu of just making a living then there ever was in “going for broke” and pursuing the call within you that tells you that you have what it takes. The problem is that there’s another voice— that of conditioning, fear, reason and mediocrity—that denies you your rightful inheritance of greatness, your reason for being.

And so we trudge through life having been told that we should forgo our natural, child-like fascination with certain things in favor of the pragmatic and socially acceptable pursuits that will get us things like entrance to college, employment, security, a mortgage, social status and much approval from our well-meaning parents and peers.

I recall in A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink where he makes a legitimate case against our society’s tendency to stifle our youth’s natural exuberance, creativity and artistic inclination as they progress through grade school. As Pink pointed out, when he went into a kindergarten classroom and asked how may artists there were in the room just about every hand shot enthusiastically up in the air. Pink also noticed that the hands were multitudinous in each succeeding grade though steadily decreased through the end of grammar school. Then at the intermediate level the number of self-proclaimed artists dropped sharply and by high school they were indeed a minority. Pink makes a very strong argument that the conditioning we receive is an imposition and leads us away from creative and imaginative right-brain activities while siphoning us into the single trajectory for left-brain aptitudes necessary for “today’s career world.”

It is not impractical or even fanciful what Pink is suggesting. He makes reference to Asia, Abundance and Automation as the deciding factors as to what skills will be deemed desirable in our immediate future.

Pink proclaims that while “abundance has brought beautiful things to our lives, [those] material goods have not necessarily made us much happier….That’s why more people—liberated by prosperity but not fulfilled by it—are resolving the paradox by searching for meaning.”

Now, here’s the eye-opener. Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert William Fogel claims that abundance “has freed literally hundreds of millions of people from the struggle for survival and made it possible to extend the quest for self-realization from a minute fraction of the population to almost the whole of it.” (exclamation!)

Ok, so you may be thinking, “So, what’s the alternative? We can’t just run around like bright-eyed kids all our lives pursuing aimless creative endeavors, can we??”

No, that’s not what I’m saying. But if you recall as a kid, life was fun! And being a grown-up in a very conservative adult world seems to suck the fun right out of life when we play by “their” rules.

If you’re an adult and still believe that the purpose of life is to have fun (which, incidentally, means being creative and joyful) then you are waaaaay ahead of your colleagues. Think about how much happier we’d all be— how much more accomplished, pleasant, satisfied, and content—if we all pursued our heart’s desire and explored the calling inside us. Or if we all applied ourselves meaningfully to a pursuit that utilized our natural talents, allowed us creative expression, and, most importantly, enabled us to give our gift to the world by being of service to others.

Imagine that world.

Less strife, right? Probably fewer wars. More understanding. More innovation and contribution. Surely fewer aggravated, upset people discontented with life and generally miserable to be around. We’re experiencing different times—and these times call for new measures. And these times call for those of this generation to employ new measures, to embrace new paradigms, to innovate, create and transcend.

This transcendence that I speak of is not and should not be esoteric in any way. We are at a critical juncture in our world’s history. We’re in a Conceptual Age that calls upon a new type of thinking; in fact, a new type of being. A Whole New Mind is in agreement that “from the mainstream embrace of once-exotic practices such as yoga and meditation to the rise of spirituality…the pursuit of purpose and meaning has become an integral part of our lives.”

There are so many clues alerting us to our natural inclinations, talents and interests if we would only tune in. Children reveal this to us all the time. They naturally gravitate toward that which ‘calls’ to them and lay aside the things that don’t pique their interest in the slightest. And you know, that’s what we should be doing in our search for our purpose.

If you read my last blog I mentioned the concentric circle analogy offered by David Deida. It really is almost like working from the outside in, layer by layer, to discover the core of your being. Yes, you should “try on” different jobs, projects, life paths, friends, and even ways of being (i.e. personalities) until you find one that fits!

That’s what makes life fun. Variety!

Reinventing yourself until you arrive at the person you want to be, the life you want to have, and doing what you know yourself to love and enjoy.

I recently saw the film Up in the Air directed and written by Jason Reitman.

There is a scene in that movie that really hit home with me.

It’s what inspired me to write this blog. I find myself recounting this scene to anyone who will listen and telling it passionately and then pausing for dramatic effect and to take note of the listener’s reaction. Almost everyone I’ve told it to stops for a second, gets a glint in their eye, and leaves with an inspired but unsettling feeling.

It was profound enough to want to share this with you here today.

George Clooney perfectly delivers his lines in the scene I’m about to describe. Go out a rent this movie over the weekend. It’s very relevant to the times we’re living in and highly entertaining.

In his role Clooney plays a professional axe-man. That is to say, he works for a company hired by corporations to act as their layoff liaison. He facilitates the letting-go of employees so that the companies doing the firing avoid the conflict and unpleasantness that ensues which, in effect, makes the process impartial and efficient, even if absurdly impersonal. It is very appropriate to our times, however, which is why it’s so laughable.

Clooney’s character, “Ryan Bingham,” is seated in front of a gentleman clearly his senior. The man in question is presented as a “lifer” of this particular company. Nevertheless, it’s Ryan’s job to alleviate this man of his tenured position, his salary and thereby his livelihood—the very thing that gives this man his identity and which enables him to provide for his family, “make a living,” and feel like he’s doing something with his life.

Bingham delivers the news to “Bob” in a very detached manner, almost carelessly. Being the professional that he is, Ryan is ready to handle the reaction that follows.

Bob, clearly irate and feeling dejected, reacts at first with rage.
Ryan seems to exacerbate the situation by asking seemingly belittling comments like, “Your children’s admiration important to you?”

Bob answers, “Yeah, it was.”

Ryan replies, “Well, I doubt they ever admired you, Bob.”

Ryan proceeds, in his composed manner, to rectify the situation although his subject is seething. Ryan calms him down by scanning his resume dating back to Bob’s younger days.

Ryan flatly states, “Your resume says here you minored in French Culinary Arts….then you got out of college and started working here.”

Ryan looks up at Bob and says,

“How much did they pay you to give up on your dream?”

Bob states flatly, “Twenty-seven thousand a year.”

(Pause for dramatic effect)

Ryan responds,

“At what point were you going to stop and go back to what made you happy?”

Bob just shrugs.

(It’s important to note that the whole tone of the scene changes as Clooney’s character has just disarmed a viable threat and outburst by simply revealing to “Bob” that all was not lost, because his identity was more than a job, his dreams could be resurrected, and that this palpable job loss could in fact be a blessing—a chance to finally explore his life’s dream, his passion, his purpose—which was certainly not being a “company man” for his entire adult life.)

*****************************************

I think the moral of the blog is self-evident.

I’m appealing, I presume, to my peers in their twenties and early thirties.
We’ve been through years of schooling, we’ve had varied and possibly contrasting life experiences, and very likely have had or have jobs now that do not “do it” for us.

In fact, sometimes it doesn’t feel like a life at all.

I’ve been there. I’ve done it. And I happily walked away from it.

If you’re not living the life you imagined for yourself; if you took a job right out of school and don’t find yourself content doing with what you’re doing, not contributing in a meaningful way; or if you simply feel stuck in something that isn’t fulfilling and find yourself helping build another man’s dream, then I just have one question for you:

How much did they pay you to give up on your dream??

And…

At what point were you going to go back to what made you happy?

Here’s a hint: follow your heart.

It won’t betray you.

Peace

“Because of the absence of direction, [one] is left to wander without a purpose— and aimlessly wandering, [one] accepts everything.” -John McDonald

Again, let me begin by apologizing for the length of time it’s taken me to write a follow-up blog to my previous one. This is the last time I’ll make this sort of reconciliation because from here on out I vow to make regular blog entries— at least three times per week. It’s not that I consciously neglected this work, it’s just that I had to make sure that I’d reached a point in my life where the message flowed from a place of love and genuine interest in helping others. The ego has an incessant way of rearing its head and injecting its superficial desires into an otherwise pure vision of doing the greatest good that I’m capable of. I’ve become conscious of the ego, its lusts, and of course the societal approval it always looks for before embarking upon anything. Ironically, even if my higher self’s desires are noble and good and has the interests of others in mind I find the ego questioning the legitimacy of these plans, demanding to know “what’s in it for me?” That’s how you’ll always come to know your ego: it’s relentless pursuit of self-interested ideas and gratification of base desires. It’s never interested in the good of others. It’s defining characteristic is a sense of separateness. And it’s this separateness, incidentally, that is responsible for pretty much every negative emotion we are burdened with including: worry, anxiety, fear, thoughts of lack, despair, hate, and frustration.

In addition, this sense of separateness that is created by ego (yes, the ego you believe to be the real you) is also what keeps you from feeling cut off from the infinite power or source energy, otherwise known as God. A Course in Miracles aptly states that, “A sense of separation from God is the only lack you really need correct.” This is the first thing you need to come to understand before we continue. You’re lacking nothing. You’re not deficient in any areas. The information, the guidance you need, it’s all within you. The objective of my work is to get it out of you.

Henry David Thoreau once said that, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” I want you to dwell for a few moments on what that means to you.

I’ll tell you what it means to me. ‘A life of quiet desperation’ means a person who hasn’t taken the initiative to explore his hidden potential and settles for less in all areas, outwardly pleasant in their current life role but inwardly defeated and spiritually destitute. A person that gave up prematurely, that didn’t mine the depths of their soul, who didn’t realize the greatness that was born with them, rather became convinced through conditioning that they weren’t meant to be outstanding or successful but that just fitting in and getting by constituted a life worth living. ‘Go[ing] to the grave with the song still in them’ means to me someone who’s forgotten their reason for being altogether, someone who’s relinquished that all-powerful expressive and creative drive we all share in lieu of security and obscurity—an average existence where you settle before life can get too challenging, uncomfortable, or unsafe—and taking yourself out of the equation before you’ve contributed the gift you have to give unto the world.

It became evident to me over the last month traveling and living in Peru that ours is a generation filled with curiosity and ambition and creativity—and, for the most part, not a clue how to channel that ambition into a greater good. I’ve been a life-long traveler and find myself easily able to relate to other travelers from mostly all walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds. It’s simple…we’ve all got one thing in common—we’re searching for something! We may not know what or where to find it but we’re out on the trail actively looking for meaning, for purpose—trying to live extraordinary lives even if not completely sure how or where to start. We can all agree on one thing however: our own country was not conducive to this inner exploration. For whatever reason staying bound to one country, city, town or point of view stifled our desire for expression and need to grow personally, spiritually, or emotionally.

I’ve heard it so many times it’s become cliché: “I went traveling to find myself.”

I used to say that too. A lot. To anyone who would listen.

And do you know what I heard in response that would really irk me? I would hear: “What you’re looking for is within you and not out there in the world someplace.”

Well, it only took a few people telling me this to fuel the internal fire that would, in essence, just increase my intensity, further my cause, and keep me steadfast in the search for meaning, passion, and purpose. I was a stubborn one, intent upon finding the way for myself. And it’s a good thing, too, because the alternative is that dreaded word ‘settle.’ I would remind myself that those that were giving me this friendly advice really hadn’t done what I was doing, they hadn’t severed ties with tradition and cast off into the unknown, and therefore could not accurately presume to guide my life. Right?

On one hand, yes, they did not venture to live in the same courageous (or foolish, depends on how you look at it) way that I chose for myself and therefore were not authorities in this unknown arena of spiritual fulfillment and exploration of self. We’ve all heard the term ‘arm-chair enthusiast’ and believe me they’re everywhere and they’re never short on doling out advice.

On the other hand, no, guidance sometimes comes in the most unexpected ways. I’ve found that being open to all sources of advice and information is the best way of going about problem-solving. Consider all information from all sources and once you differentiate between your higher self’s interests and your ego’s interests, you stand to be a more prudent decision maker by using your instincts, or how you feel about the information and choices you’ve been given— tempered by your reasoning, though not solely reliant on it.

‘Instincts, huh?’ Yes, instincts…those things they tell us that only animals have. We, being humans, have only reasoning they tell us. And that is what makes us human. Well, as true as that may be remember that your ego is bent upon creating separateness between you and all other individuals and between you and your Creator. In essence, this illusion of separateness takes away the inherent system of inner communication and guidance that you were born with. Your higher self, your spirit, your soul. It’s there inside you, isn’t it? I don’t think anyone can argue that point. Now, whether we tune into it or the nagging, incessant, and almost always negative chatter of the ego is, actually, our decision. I think arriving at this information and making a conscious choice is the first step toward empowerment. And quieting this inner chatter is a subject that has been explored in countless books, tapes, seminars, etc. Again, the first step is to get conscious of it!

“Lifting and broadening your own consciousness through knowledge is enlightenment. It is not spiritual rituals. It is understanding.” -Ramtha

Remember how easy it was as child to follow your inner guidance system? Did you just sometimes inherently know to do something, go somewhere, call someone, say the right thing at the right time, or get away from a bad situation just before it happened?

This “instinct” that I’m sure you’ve experienced defies “reason,” doesn’t it? However most can’t deny that at times in their lives when they’ve gone with the gut it never fails. I’ve found that if I second-guess my gut’s decision I almost always live to regret it. It was right! It just knows. It doesn’t need to hear all the facts and weigh the pros and cons; it doesn’t need to get a group consensus or consult an expert on the subject. It is the expert. That is to say you are the expert of your own life. Nobody knows better than you.

You’ve heard this before, right?

Yeah, and it’s frustrating to hear again, isn’t it?

That’s because few venture to supply a method or methods by which you can come to know these answers, communicate your higher self, receive the knowledge you’re after.

It’s purpose we’re after, yes?

Our reason for being. Our life’s mission. With purpose you could stop spinning your wheels, putting off your heart’s desires. You could do, have and be more, right?

Well, yes. The answer is an emphatic YES!

Knowing our purpose unlocks the mystery of this moving vehicle we call life. It puts our existence into perspective. It creates freedom to be all that we’re capable of being. Maslow called this self-actualization, which follows in natural succession after other four levels of basic human needs. We can reach higher, go further, discover our gift and reason for being. 

Self-actualization, the realization of our higher purpose, is where we should all be heading, and not in the direction that the mainstream tells us is the way to go which leads down a well-trodden path of conventionalism and unchallenged safety. We know what that life looks like. We have dozens of examples of friends, family members and acquaintances that lead, as Thoreau put it, “quiet lives of desperation.” We know the looks on their faces as they recount a life’s dream that went unattained and unexplored. We’ve seen the regret as they longingly tell their tale, punctuated with sighs, of what might have been. And we can assume that ‘what might have been’ was contingent upon that person ditching convention and exploring their unique talents, gifts, and heart’s desire.

How different a story we’d be hearing if that person did take the road less traveled, found their life’s purpose, pursued it and gave their gift to humanity.

How may times have we heard this tale of triumph? Very few, right?

David Deida, author of The Way of the Superior Man, suggests that “Without a conscious life-purpose a man is totally lost, drifting, adapting to events rather than creating events. Without his life-purpose a man lives a weakened, impotent existence.”

Now just to offer a bit of solace to the reader who may feel that last quote is a bit harsh to those who do not know at this very moment what they are on this earth to do. We must go through times of darkness, times when we feel lost, times when we are free to explore any and all areas that arise on our path paying no mind to an end destination. There is no 

Deida follows the previous thought with this one: “[A man] must be capable of not knowing what to do with his life, entering a period of unknowingness and waiting for a vision or a new form of purpose to emerge.”

I agree wholeheartedly with this idea.

We may not always have the answer and we may not always know where we’re headed but if we’re following our bliss, our intuition— if we’re listening to our inner guidance and acting on the signs it gives us— then we are, in fact, moving toward something. That may be hard for someone to grasp who thinks they’re drifting. One must understand the need for contrast, for resistance, to understand why this is necessary in your life. You can’t know true happiness and elation unless you’ve known suffering and desperation. How will you know what you’ve found unless you’ve been lost for a time? How will you know inner peace until you’ve experienced its inverse? Contrast is necessary. So is acceptance of this fact. It’s the law of the universe.

Lastly, Deida offers a very astute analogy to help put the idea of locating one’s purpose into perspective:

“It is as if your deepest purpose is at the center of your being, and it is surrounded by layers of concentric circles, each circle being a lesser purpose. Your life consists of penetrating each circle, from the outside toward the center.”

So, the idea for today is to get comfortable with yourself and where you are right now. Chances are extremely high that you are exactly where you need to be at this point—you’re learning things and gaining skills in your life necessary on your journey and you are, in fact, headed in the right direction. You may not “see” it yet but you’ve created the present circumstances in your life and will continue to do so. The key is to be conscious of what you’re creating so you can begin to start fashioning the life you really want and to remember that life is a journey and there is no end destination. All we can do is live, learn, and, most importantly, love one another.

A friend recently asked me, “What can I do to just be a good guy?”

My answer to him was, “Find a way to be of service to others.”

And that is the message here today.

Your ego will dream up and create illusions of grandeur. Your job is not to stop dreaming big but to ask yourself, ‘How may I do the greatest good for the greatest number of people?’ You will find that your attention will shift off of you and the spoils of your success and into a service-minded mentality that considers the good of all others. We live in reciprocal universe. What you give you will get in return.

I will keep expanding on these ideas in the blogs that follow. I’m glad to be back writing and I’m very grateful to have you as a reader. I welcome your comments and, in fact, encourage them. I want to make this as interactive a forum as possible. I’m here to be of service in any way I can to help expand your consciousness, increase your powerful thoughts about what’s possible, and to inspire action in your own life through the healing of old wounds, or just to help you realize that you are complete and whole right now.

Look forward to seeing a Free Report come out shortly in which I will offer some useful techniques and practices to freeing yourself of the emotional burden and hindrances that are standing between you, your PURPOSE and fulfilling your heart’s desires. Please go to my home page and sign up for the newsletter as the link to the report will be going straight to the subscriber’s inbox. 

Thank you and God bless.

-Peter Druck

My apologies for not having written an entry in some time. Truth be told, with great haste I got my site and subsequent blog up and running—however, there was still much work to be done on myself before I was “operational.” The progress I’ve made, personally, has been astounding.

The path to enlightenment has exposed many untruths to me. Mostly, what it revealed to me was my own inability to progress by having considered myself a victim in life—and, what’s worse—a victim of circumstance at that. I had forgone, or put off, happiness until I had reached a point in my life where all would be well! And not being in control, or relinquishing any power I held over my destiny, I was also powerless to effect change. You see the problem?

“All progress comes from those who do not take the accepted view, nor accept the world as it is.”

-Neville

I’ve always been passionate about purpose to the point of defensiveness to protect my cherished idealism. I’ve always inwardly known but outwardly suspected that while our greatness may lie within, so few actually know how to locate it. When I hear peers, parents, and social influencers offer advice to a young adult, in terms of career or life path, and suggest that staunch competitiveness—in both school, work, and the social arena—will get you where you want to go in life I cringe.

I didn’t  always know what the inverse path looked like or the result if I abandoned their ideals and beliefs but I remained audacious enough to always question authority and only take advice from people whose lives I wanted to emulate.  It is so easy to discern whether one is content with his lot, harbors regrets in life, has undiscovered passions, or a misspent adulthood, altogether. You can see it one’s face the moment you speak to him or her whether they live life fearlessly or have been defeated—the latter most likely early on in their experience, and has resulted in a permanent resignation of those cherished ideals of their youth.

I got into a conversation on the subject of my college-aged brother’s future with my dad and his wife many weeks ago. They insisted that—although my younger brother hadn’t clearly defined his purpose or career goals—he ought to make great haste to apply for continuing education after his undergraduate studies conclude. ‘It’s soooo competitive these days,’ they would say. ‘In this economy one has to compete for fewer jobs so he must get more (over-priced and school-bought) education to make himself more attractive to employers.’ So, this is to say, without having identified his direction, his passion in life, he should delve into more ambiguous studies at an even steeper cost to somehow stumble upon this career path? This argument assumes that the individual must tailor himself for the job rather than earnestly look at how he may create for himself the work that is his calling—his passion, his reason for being.

It’s been said time and time again that, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work another day in your life.” Well, how many of us really believe this? And if we are audacious enough to believe it, are we practicing it or just keeping this cherished ideal close to our hearts, or worse, on a shelf not being used?

I believe the American society is plagued with an abhorring dilemma: our youth is directed on a prescribed path towards certain goals within certain boundaries—and this so-called direction they receive ignores the individuality of the person, fails to see his unique composition and innermost passion, and to identify his particular and impressive set of skills that will help [him or her] to find purpose. Any guidance we do receive may be “all-purpose” wisdom for the masses. It will “guide” you, in general, towards the adult path of work, responsibility, and familial life. But, did anyone in your upbringing stop to really help you discover that uniqueness inside you? Do you maintain a credulity that your early influences were there to serve you to find freedom in life or to usher you into more of the same old, same old from the bearer of advice and his experience. More of the same is exactly what you’ll get if you heed someone else’s cure-all advice.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

-Steve Jobs; Co-founder of Apple

These types of conversations used to infuriate me. They filled me up with anger—partly, because I thought that that was awful advice for a young person but mostly—because I hadn’t found my life’s purpose—I felt a deep yearning stir inside me, and when it surfaced it came out as rage. I had trouble controlling and tempering my passions, and unfortunately, they reared their head as a negative reaction when participating in discussions such as this one. Outbursts were the norm; incredulity was the tone.

“Many around you want to point out ‘reality’ to you. They say, ‘Face the facts. Look at what is.’ And we say to you, if you are able to see only what is—then, by the Law of Attraction, you will create only more of what is…You must be able to put your thoughts beyond what-is in order to attract something different or something more.”

-The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham

Whatever point in life you find yourself right now—it’s not outlandish in the least to begin to pursue or, at least, discover, your true passion in life—your reason for being here. I firmly believe, and I can only speak for men, that we simply are not complete, satisfied, or able to truly settle until we’ve ferreted out the weaker desires, blasted through many undertakings that may prove unsuccessful, worn many hats, and continue still to find and employ our deepest desires.

“The core of your life is your purpose…Successfully completing a lesser purpose doesn’t feel very good for very long, because it’s simply preparation for advancing toward a greater embodiment of your deepest purpose…The priority of the masculine, is the mission which leads to freedom.”

-The Way of the Superior Man, David Deida

If you’re reading along right now and agreeing with many points being said here in this blog then chances are you are in touch with your higher self—your spirit, your calling. Chances are even greater that if you heed much of these ideas you will also seek out with great fervor your mission in life and won’t stop or be satisfied until you’ve found it.

“A man must have a battle to fight, a great mission to his life that involves and yet transcends even home and family. He must have a cause to which he is devoted even unto death, for this is written into the fabric of his being.”

-Wild at Heart, John Eldredge

It’s very tempting to stop somewhere along our path and settle. I think you know what I mean by “settle.” That’s when you commiserate with others in your age group, your peers, friends, or family and proclaim, with an exasperated and inadequate feeling, “it was just that time to ________ (fill in the blank). This could include: getting married—possibly to someone who is not your ideal mate—but, then you settled, remember?; buying a house, having kids, settling for a job that is not your dream job, settling for a life that is not your dream life.

But, hey, it was about that time, right?

So, are you satisfied then?

I didn’t think so. Expunge the world “settle” from your vocabulary. Its consequences are treacherous and unworthy of you.

“A man needs a much bigger orbit than a woman. He needs a mission, a life purpose, and he needs to know his name. Only then is he fit for a woman, for only then does he have something to invite her into.”

-Wild at Heart, John Eldredge

You’re hungry. You’ve got a burning desire in your belly. There’s something in you that won’t let you rest. Sure it’ll let you lounge, be occasionally lazy, even shirk some of your responsibility. It’ll also produce some stellar experiences and incite exceptional performances from you in many areas. You will taste your greatness on occasion but it remains fleeting, ethereal. You know there is more to life; there’s more you can be and do and experience. Your destiny awaits. Your purpose calls you.

Now, if you could only find purpose!

It’s inside you. I guarantee it. It’s inside all of us, yearning to be released. Your gift should be shared with the world, not held captive. It may lie dormant. It may be budding into fruition and has been for some time.

Whatever the case, and wherever you find yourself…continue on this journey and discover, explore, and rejoice in self.

Find your passion, your purpose, and, ultimately, prosperity in all areas of your life.

Thanks for reading and remember, “Whatever you do, do well, and may success attend your every effort.“

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“Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose, the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success, and this will form a new starting point for future power and triumph.”

-James Allen; As a Man Thinketh

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I didn’t just start out on the path to repair all that was wrong with me. And, for what it’s worth, there was never anything wrong with me. Frustration set in when I hit walls in my development or when the bottom fell out on plans or schemes I attached myself to. I’m a hard charger, usually going full force in the direction of my dreams. However, without definite dreams―that is to say, without wholeheartedly knowing my purpose and having a clear image of what it was I was after―my ambitions, ventures, projects, and pursuits quickly imploded. It must have looked like I’d mastered the art of failing to any onlooker. Lord knows my friends and family looked on with concern, and sometimes―to my chagrin―pity, which was the worst because it gave the impression that I was  “lost” and without hope. This, however, was not the case. Far from it, I assure you. Being what people called lost, and all the while, actively and rabidly searching for my calling, just didn’t equate. What they couldn’t see I secretly knew.

My journey began over a decade ago when my teenage self was audacious enough to dream big and refuse to settle―fighting off any and all hindrance on his path toward dream attainment. Rest assured, I was stifled more times than I care to admit, and saw an equal amount of failure in my dealings. Nevertheless, I remained steadfast in my pursuit of knowledge, teachers, and undertakings that would allow me to grow and learn new skills. I changed places and countries of residence as often as you would change the oil in your car. As far as I can remember I’ve had an insatiable appetite for new and different surroundings and believe, still, that a well-rounded education and exposure to diverse stimuli can be beneficial to more efficiently target one’s aptitudes. The soul rejoices when a passion is uncovered―when a new component is added to the sculpture that is you―tirelessly adding to the mosaic that is your individuality, or that which we call personality. These are but triggers alerting you to your soul’s deepest desires in this life experience.

I made a conscious decision at eighteen that I would walk through life with a feverish curiosity and a sincere desire to unearth universal knowledge that has aided in the development of man since the beginning of time. I inwardly knew that a small percentage of people in the world employed secrets of the universe to aid in the attainment of anything from riches, to fame, to achieving feats deemed to be genius by the logical and traditionally-minded. I became a Student of Life as a result of my deep-seated longing to know more and to be more. No matter what absolutely profound breakthroughs I’ve had recently, I’m still just like you―on the path towards a harmonious and spirited life. I’ve developed my mental capacities, passed the spiritual rights of passage, and am ready to receive the abundance that my mind has joyously created for me. I have built my castle in my mind’s eye and before long will dwell in it. The interesting part is that you, the journeyer, get to witness how my long quest will, finally, come to fruition. And while I’ve come to learn a whole spectrum of ideas, as it pertains to the laws of the universe, and tailor them to suit me individually―I will reveal simply and easily the secrets, or knowledge of the universe, as I have come to understand them. There are universal laws, but, you my dear friend, are an individual and so we must assess what approach works best for you, and, where you find yourself on the journey. Although my path began, perhaps, before yours―it doesn’t matter where in time and space you’ve decided to join the journey―what matters is that you suspect that there’s more out there and are willing to seek it out. Welcome aboard.

Before I tell you about me, let me tell you how my existence came to pass. My father was born in New Mexico― in the small, modest town of Truth or Consequences in 1948― to Merced and Esther Montoya. Although New Mexico plays a big role in his childhood, and also where our family continues to have strong ties, Arizona was where my grandparents would finally settle their family. My father was raised, then, primarily in Scottsdale, Arizona and attended Arizona State University, as did his twin sons. Since my dad told me few stories growing up I would piece together an impression of my dad’s character from the rousing anecdotes that his siblings and my grandparents would tell me.

Nevertheless, it’s always hard to discern “who” my father was as a youth, adolescent, or young man― what his dreams were?, what motivated him?, and what he passionately cared about? Children only know their father as the male figure, the strong presence, the worker, the provider, the disciplinarian. We see the real sides of our parents shine through when they forget momentarily that they are constantly being observed, perhaps imitated, or when they’re just playing and engaging their kids in fun activities. We look to our parents not just to meet our physiological needs but to shape us from a young age―to mold our character and impress upon us an identity, a personality, which is very readily influenced by these two prominent figures.

As children, we seem to get so attached to the role of ‘Dad’ and ‘Mom’ that we sometimes forget that our parents have first names, and past histories, and behave differently around other adults, and even have lives at work we know nothing of!

As it came to pass, my brothers and I were born American and raised in a middle class family of six people, altogether. Just after a 5-year assignment ended in London, England we returned to the states and settled in a suburb of Washington, D.C., where my brothers and I would adjust to an American life we knew nothing of, while my dad transitioned into his new position with the federal government. My upbringing was, in all respects, safe and secure. My needs were met; education, housing, and nourishment were never issues. Before the age of seven I had known 5 countries, including my birth country. That I had a passport at 2-years of age comes as no surprise to me. My adventure, as it were, began shortly after my arrival into this world and has continued to present day. As a child I would have such good fortune as to visit Mallorca, one of the Balearic islands, off the coast of the Iberian peninsula; climb the Zugspitze in Garmisch, Germany; explore Corfu, Greece on foot and by boat, and swim in the Ionian sea at the entrance of the Adriatic. I would have the fortune to ascend the turrets of Scottish and Irish castles, accompany my parents on shopping trips to Picadilly Circus, and ride on double-decker buses through the heart of London. Truly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. This laid the foundation for who I would become. In fact, seeing what I was so privileged to see as a child would, in fact, lay the foundation for the dreams that I would conjure and hold in expectation for my adult self. These experiences were instrumental in my formation, and dream creation. My father was the perfect choice to give me these experiences.

What I’ve come to understand is that each of us selects our lot in life. James Hillman (The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling), respected psychologist and pioneer in his work on the subject of soul and purpose, suggests that “the soul descends in four modes― via the body, the parents, place, and circumstances.” Hillman suggests that our soul actually chooses it’s―now get this―‘ideal’ life. When I came across Hillman’s book it was only confirming the inevitable. I knew, deep-down, that my soul had purpose― and, if it had purpose and chose my lot in life then I was predestined to succeed. It had to be true as we are made in the image and likeness of God. If finding purpose was the path to contentment and harmonious success then it would be priority number one to locate and employ it.

My soul’s greatest desire, and its attainment, I believe, was predetermined to reach fruition by choosing my parents, country of birth, and even the circumstances in which I would grow up. If you’re of the belief that you get one life and one life only and your soul appears and vanishes with no trace of your existence, then I think you should stop here and resume the manner in which you live. However, if this intrigues you―please, read on.

I came across another mention from noted author, thinker, and metaphysician―Mike Dooley―of The Secret fame. Mike agrees that our soul guides us to find that which it desires, and being a soulful creature we create our reality. Things don’t happen to us. We chose to come into the world the way we are, and our circumstances were prearranged for our success in this physical world of time and space. Mike’s book Infinite Possibilities is, without a doubt, the most love-filled piece of literature I’ve ever read―and I’ve read many, many books from all kinds of spiritual people, teachers, entrepreneurs, and success coaches; none compare to the message that reaches inside you, awakens your spirit, and makes you tingle all over with excitement and possibility. Mike has so many eloquently and intelligently phrased thoughts in his book I could, plausibly, quote the whole book. Here’s an idea from Mike about getting what we want in life:

“You don’t necessarily need more education, more connections, or more lucky breaks. You just need to understand the principles and concepts that every prophet and mystic has shared since the beginning of time…which has everything to do with WHO we really are, why we’re here, and the magic at our disposal….your dreams are not yours by accident….there is nothing you can’t do, have, or be. You are guided, you do have the power, and the Universe is actually conspiring on your behalf.”

It took only one teacher to present this concept of soul purpose to my conscious mind before it could permeate the embedded realm of unconscious thought and begin to stir up these deep-seated hunches, or beliefs, as it were. These ideas reinforce what I suspected and believed to be true from a young age, and only the ego, and conscious mind, would contest this reasoning.  Unless you are connected to your innermost thoughts―your higher self―then your ego will argue adamantly that this line of thinking is blasphemous, outrageous, untrue! ‘How could it be true?,’ you ask. ‘We are but physical creatures in a physical universe,’ you remedy.

Well, how could it not be? Unless you want to admit you are nothing more than a physical shell with noTHING behind it. You would have to argue that we are empty human bodies controlled by nothing more than a pulsating heart and active brain that commands our movements. Were we not born with free will? If that is so, would God not delight in seeing us exercise that free will to create the life that He imagines for us, with the divine power to create bestowed upon us? Why must the general consensus be that we are weak, disease and circumstance prone; limited beings in a stingy world ridden with economical woes and tragedy among humanity. Those―if we’re talking about choosing―are pretty miserable thoughts. And yet, many are inclined to accept this logic!

“You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.”

-Marianne Williamson

So, if we are spiritual, soulful beings then what is it that the soul came here to do?  Much of the confusion surrounding our lives happens at those critical junctures in our lives like the transition between childhood and adulthood, high school to college, and college graduation to the work world. Can many say that they weren’t shuffled through these rites of passage so hastily that they lost track of what they yearned for, perhaps as they did as a child, and what they find themselves concerned with now?

It’s mind-boggling how many choices there are, how many paths available; how many towns, cities, and situations we could plausibly end up in. I like to think we have a choice in the matter. In fact, I believe we are the presiding judge and jury―the captain of our own ship, the director of operations, el jefe. I believe―after much study, contemplation, meditation, and life experience―that I can, in fact, choose how I live my life and not be subject to my conditions.

As Dr. Susan Corso very aptly puts it, “The true task of humankind is to choose what we want. Choose, let go, let the results come, and evaluate. Then, choose again. Get your feelings behind your choices―because all real choices are about what we want to feel.” Also, if you’ve been paying attention to any modern day teacher of dream attainment they are in agreement. Joe Vitale, also of The Secret fame, states on the DVD itself that, “this is a feeling universe.” You must feel your way through life―this will aid in personal discovery, understanding your fellow man, connecting and relating to source energy (God), which, in turn, allows one to attract and manifest what it is one desires to bring into one’s experience (aka reality).  Dr. Corso goes on to say, “You are an individualized expression of God Itself. Made in that image and likeness, you too are a creator. Get creating.” Great advice.

If you, too, choose to go on this journey you’ll, perhaps, see the aforementioned quote written similarly by many teachers on this path who have the same profound understanding of the universe in which we live. Should you choose to dispel this sort of thinking, then by all means, continue the life you presently lead―oh, and, by the way, you’ll just need to forget about your deepest desires, the excitement that accompanies creating your dream life, the joy that comes from getting in touch with your inner-self, thereby accessing the source of our power resulting in an exaltation and peaceful feeling that no drug can give you. Oh, and feel free to do it all by yourself. With no help. Just you and your resolve to stubbornly force your ambitiousness upon people in your path. By all means, try that― I did.  For years I tried imposing my will upon others, manipulating my surroundings, employing forceful energy to brings thing to fruition. The results were always temporary (read: fleeting) and disastrous. I would end up losing face, severing friendships, alienating other acquaintances, and, in general, frustrating myself into submission― and by submission I mean quitting. I felt like I was trying to roll a snowball uphill.

Mike Dooley would tell you that, “thoughts turning into things is how time and space operates…taking that initial leap from the known into the unknown invokes the secret behind all creation.”

I agree wholeheartedly. My experiences can attest to it being true. You’re probably thinking, ‘well, yeah, if I could do that I’d be all set. But, really, how do I do that? Again, referring to Mike’s wise words, in the preface of his book, he tells us, “What I discovered…is that remembering my true place in life― understanding my role in its creation and demonstrating such understandings through thought, word, and deed― is always enough to change everything.”

With that said, I will continue to tell you how I came into creation. Before my soul chose to return to the physical world for yet another lifetime, I have come to understand that this lifetime was meant to be different from others. I am inclined to believe that my soul selected―as it always has― my place of birth, my country of citizenship, the upbringing and the class into which I was born; my physical appearance and race; to be born a twin and have brothers; and to be the son of Carl and Judith Montoya. Being born to this family, at this time, would create the perfect conditions for my being to prosper. I would have all the elements aligned in my favor to realize my soul purpose. The only caveat is that I would need to accept that this was my doing and not challenge these circumstances or plead with God that I was dealt an unfair hand. Being content with my lot― truly grateful for every moment my situation has brought into my experience― to live and prosper as we, all humans, were meant to.

“Know ye not that ye are gods?” Psalms 82:6, John 10:34

Once I realized this concept I was freed. Emotionally. Spiritually. Free and unencumbered. This idea takes some working with. You may have to do some investigating on this as it pertains to you. It requires banishing all Sunday school teachings and finding reasonable doubt in the Adam and Eve myth―‘c’mon, really? One man and one woman gave birth to humankind as we know it? It’s a nice idea, but then so is Santa Claus.

What troubles me is that religion has the audacity to suggest that an innocent child, brought into the world on his day of birth, is tainted, and believed to have been born with “original sin,” due to the mistakes made by you know who. If this offends you then you can stop reading right now; however, please know that it offends me that religion, and men on earth, would perpetuate this lie, thereby stifling and thwarting any forward progress that that soul individual had desired for his lifetime. To condemn a newborn with original sin is about as reasonable as condemning a shark for his vicious nature and voracious appetite.

The content of this site will never waiver or turn to accommodate the shortcomings of the old-fashioned thinker, who may be stymied by a fear-based existence. I’ve lived in each man’s world―both the pragmatic, realist vs. the metaphysical dreamer, who creates his life on earth through communion with a higher power and feeds off of love-based energy. So, can you guess which one I chose? You got it. You have a choice, too. Don’t ever forget that. Question anyone who tells you differently. Question anyone who perceives a man’s fortune to come only by the sheer force of will, fierce competition, unsavory deal-making and the like. University studies are not frowned upon, however, once you find your soul’s purpose, the harmonious nature of the universe will speedily arrange all aspects, seen and unseen, to accommodate your desire. If what you wish is to be highly educated (as taught by traditional institutions)―which fits your purpose for being here―then by all means, pursue that. If you find yourself going deeply into debt for high-priced continuing education, usually society-urged, without a definite idea of what you’re aiming for and if its really for you, then I would say begin where you stand to explore self not career; strive to know your inner workings not the inner workings of a classroom. The world is your classroom. Life is your teacher―become a student.

My friends, what I have come to know requires you to get really honest with yourself, and that you earnestly ask yourself why you’re here? If your curiosity still urges you forward then I believe you’re ready for this journey.