I’ve been reading Jonathan Ellerby’s book, Inspiration Deficit Disorder, and am aware of the similarity between his message and that of Larry LeShan in Cancer as a Turning Point. They are also similar to Thomas Moore’s message in Care of the Soul.
Jonathan talks about the Essential Self or Essence the same way Thomas Moore talks about the Soul. Jonathan says our tendencies and passions come from this Essence. Once any aspect of your life has been cut off from your essence, then you have also lost your natural connection to energy and vitality in that part of your life. Your greatest joy and vitality lie in honoring what makes you unique. A life disconnected from the Essential Self is one doomed to stress, unhappiness, and poor health.
Larry LeShan, in his research with “terminal” cancer patients, found that when they rediscovered what made them excited to get up in the morning and lived from their passion, half of them went into long-term remission. In Jonathan’s words, they were honoring what made them unique and expressing what came from their Essence. In Thomas Moore’s words, they were nurturing their souls.
When I started Healing Journeys 18 years ago, it was partially to create meaningful work that would nurture my soul. It has definitely done that, and yet not all aspects of the work are satisfying to me. What feeds my soul are the connections with people as we are authentic with each other at the conferences. And all the communications in-between conferences as we share our stories and life experiences with each other.
I feel like I’ve been spending more and more time raising money and running a business, and thus not feeling as connected to my Essential Self. I’m paying attention to what feeds me and what doesn’t, and trying to put more of my time and focus on the activities that give me energy and vitality — like going on the retreat to Mexico; it’s not too late to join me.
As far as this tumor in my lung is concerned, I am planning to have a cryoablation. It is scheduled for November 16, after I return from my week in Mexico at the TAO Inspired Living Center with Jonathan Ellerby (assuming that I come back).
In the book Dying To Be Me she shares how often we sell out our passion and integrity to other things that take away our energy. Do what makes you happy and do what brings a smile to your face and your heart! If any of us are giving our lives away to something that doesn’t make our heart sing…we’re not living consistently with God’s plan.
Believe Larry LeShan’s message is sooooo true – zest, enthusiasm – the sunrise is what I get up every morning to see – post what I see on Facebook. Just came back from a spiritual journey to Ohio. Am looking into deepening my spirituality through materials by Richard P. Johnson, Ph.D. His materials are about becoming one’s authentic self – took a spiritual strengths test and am planning to do 7 week self-study course. I appreciated the info shared in South Carolina, 2012, and on-line research shared re: thesis about deepening one’s spirituality, following intuition etc. Staying tuned with what you are doing, presenting is helping me, as well as, reading others’ suggestions to you – it definitely helps build hope and there is always room for me to grow. Doing things that I only dreamed of doing is another way of building hope and living with enthusiasm and zest! Thank you for your posts and Healing Journeys etc. I hear what you are saying re: fund raising – hoping for the best for you!
Hi Jan,
I “know” in a mushy kind of vague way the cost of doing what is drudgery to serve something other than our essence, and, this line really brought it into focus for me:
“Once any aspect of your life has been cut off from your essence, then you have also lost your natural connection to energy and vitality in that part of your life.”
Thank you for helping bring that wisdom out of the fuzz for me.
That will help me track that very thing so much better.
I hope you have a marvelous time in Mexico and I bet you will!
Love,
Dee
Jan,
As always you inspire me. I know your trip to Mexico will revitalize you. Our organization Healthy Kids Concepts is putting on its first Fund Raising Event October 28th and the planning and activities sometimes is not only drudgery but frustrating as people do not follow through on their promises or commitments. The choice for me is always let go of attachment and know God is present and working for the best good.
Wishing you the best
Charlie Grix