“The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it's a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers -- of persistence, concentration, and insight -- to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems. make art, think deeply.”
Susan Cain
Audio narration by David Marlow
Definition.
illuminate (v.)
il·lu·mi·nat·e
to supply or brighten with light; light up, shine upon
to make lucid or clear, clarity as in spiritual or other awareness
From Latin illuminatus the verb means to light up or shine upon. As a noun from Late Latin illuminatio its meaning refers to spiritual enlightenment.
Risk
Without an illuminated purpose, you risk navigating through life without a clear sense of direction and meaning. The lack of clarity on your true path can lead to aimlessness, leaving you feeling lost and unfulfilled.
Without a deeper understanding of why you are here, you are more likely to miss opportunities. These missed chances for growth and fulfillment may hinder you from reaching your true potential.
The default life is front and center every day demanding our attention. It is easy to settle for the safe and mediocre, where your aspirations and dreams are overshadowed by the comfort of the ordinary.
Our true self, our Ikigai gets buried by disappointments, judgment, pain, and the demands of life. Without that illuminated purpose, it is easy to be emotionally disconnected from our authentic selves.
Not having your purpose illuminated can leave you with a nagging sense of regret and wondering about what could have been. The risk of not pursuing your true purpose may haunt you with "what-ifs" and a sense of unfulfilled potential.
Opportunity🌀
When we bring to light our purpose and connect with our true selves amazing things start to happen.
Each choice becomes intentional, guiding you toward a life that reflects your deepest desires and aspirations.
With clarity you have the opportunity to embrace each day with enthusiasm, knowing that your actions are in harmony with your core beliefs.
When your purpose is clear, challenges become opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. You have the resilience to face difficulties, as you understand that they are part of your journey towards achieving your purpose.
You form deep and meaningful connections with others who share similar values and aspirations.
A clear purpose provides the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and contribute positively to your friends, loved ones, community, and the world.
Story
📌 I Turned Down a VP Role and Big Bucks...Here's Why
A while back a former colleague of mine wanted me to join his company (he was the COO) as their VP of HR.
While I’m not looking for a return to corporate life the role and possibilities intrigued me because they wanted to bring ‘purpose’ to their employees and have the VP of HR lead it.
Thinking about whether to take the job I considered my Ikiverse.
💥Remember your 'Ikiverse' is a single-sentence description of your Ikigai.
"I encourage, empower and enable people to be all they were created to be."
Could I live out my purpose in this job?
✅ I ultimately turned down the role because what they said they wanted and how the role was constructed were dramatically different.
It was more a bureaucratic leader and not someone who could spend any time encouraging, empowering, or enabling the people of the company.
It was tough turning down the money and prestige such a role offered. Having my verse helped me understand that role wasn’t for me.
An additional win was I shared my Ikiverse with the leaders of that company and helped them see a purpose-focused leader wasn’t what they wanted after all.
Understanding my Ikigai shined a light, illuminating the right decision for me.
Understanding the language of purpose changes everything in our personal lives and in our careers.
Application.
Here are some ways to bring ‘light’ to your life and purpose.
Self-Reflection: Take time to explore your values, passions, and strengths. Illuminate your inner landscape, identifying the path that resonates with your heart.
Gratitude Journaling: Create a daily practice of gratitude to illuminate the blessings in your life. The radiance of appreciation fosters a positive mindset, guiding you toward what truly matters.
Seek Wisdom: Surround yourself with mentors and inspirational figures. Their wisdom and experiences can shine a light on your journey, offering guidance and encouragement.
Step Into the Unknown: Embrace the vulnerability of venturing into uncharted territory. Each step you take, even in uncertainty, adds brilliance to your journey and opens doors to new opportunities.
Illuminate Others: Share your light with the world by supporting and inspiring those around you. As you share your gifts your understanding of your own purpose is illuminated.
The more time and effort you put into growing your awareness of who you are and why you are here the brighter your light will shine in the world.
🌀Reflection.
Here are five questions to help you illuminate your purpose.
How would developing a deeper understanding of yourself and your desires impact your perspective on life and the choices you make?
Reflect on moments when heightened awareness or spiritual insight has guided you toward making meaningful decisions. What practices or experiences have contributed to those moments of clarity?
In what aspects of your life would you benefit from greater awareness and alignment with your values? How can you actively cultivate that awareness in those areas?
Consider how spiritual awareness or a sense of purpose has provided solace and strength during challenging times. How might you tap into that inner wisdom each day?
Envision a life where you are fully in tune with your awareness, living in harmony with your authentic self. What is one small thing you could take today to deepen your understanding and connection with your true purpose?
🌀 Remember: No matter what has come before, today is a fresh start. 🌱
Let’s make things a little bit better. 🌱
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Light in the physical realm is also often more invisible to us than visible, and needs to be experienced with faith that can only be conceived with a vision of our purpose.
There is so much wisdom there David to provide light in this commentary and it will take some time for many to go over and over again! Some things that also help are what is called> Lectio Divina (Diving Reading) whereby we not only extract the wisdom of the truth in life both physically and spiritually, but apply it daily to ones start, journey and finish of the day. Lectio (read), Meditatio (reflect), Oratio (respond), Contemplatio (remain) and Reactio (react or apply). Practices become habits as we apply them daily. Question for many is where the Light is emanating and how reflective we can be!