The Drive of Desire
Since the Olympic Games began a few weeks ago, I have been fascinated by the question “What makes an Olympian?” What are the qualities that these Olympians possess that enable them to experience the level of greatness they achieve? As I asked these questions to friends and colleagues at dinner parties and in the gym, I heard answers such as dedication, focus, discipline, strength, and commitment. Although I agree with all of these responses, it just seemed to me that there had to be some other quality. There is no question in my mind that each of us posses all of the characteristics of these gold medal winners. Each of us has extraordinary potential. But what is the attribute that an Olympian has that would make them leap into the air on a snowboard and do twists and turns that they had never done before in order to walk away with a gold medal? As I went through my list of traits the one that I kept coming back to was one that no one had mentioned — desire!
Desire is the spark that ignites the flame of your soul and illuminates your innate creativity, passion, and vision. It is the impulse that gives you the ambition and the energy to share your unique talents with the world and the calling that has you go through whatever tests, training or development necessary to be all that you can be. Your soul’s desires are with you at birth like a hidden treasure chest of possibilities for you to discover as you grow and evolve into the person you were meant to be. Yet before you can harness this powerful force, just like the child Olympian-to-be who one day puts on a pair of skates and tells their parents that some day they will win an Olympic medal, you must give voice to what you long for in the deepest place in your heart.
Whether it is winning an athletic competition, pursuing a love interest, writing a best-selling novel, staring your own business, or moving to a destination of your dreams, you, like so many of us, may have heard the whispers of your soul’s calling yet have pushed it away. Maybe you have stopped letting yourself feel the ache of your own desires, either because you are ashamed that some of your desires are self-serving or because you’re afraid of the disappointment and hurt you might feel if you don’t get what you ask for. But unless you embrace the desires of your heart, you will be left empty, estranged from the passion of your soul.
To create a life you love, you must summon one of the most powerful agents of change in the universe: desire. In its purest form, desire drives you to let go of the safety of your status-quo. Desire makes you want something so badly that you are willing to uncover your negative thoughts and shadows, release your outdated behaviors and beliefs, and do whatever it takes in order to manifest it. Desire forces you to grow, evolve, and move closer to your highest expression.
Beneath the surface of your ego’s insatiable cravings, your authentic desires wait patiently for you to acknowledge and claim them. Gently but persistently, they are nudging you to go deeper, find greater meaning, leap into the air doing twists and turns, and step into a self you have never met before.
Desire is your most primal, inborn motivator to become fully expressed, inspired, and passionate and to fulfill your soul’s mission on earth. It is one of your most powerful friends and guides.
Today, just like the Olympians we all so admire, you have the opportunity to unearth the desires that may be covered over with years of fear and resignation. You have the opportunity to allow yourself to feel the potency of your desire to such a degree that you are willing to fight for their fulfillment and go for the gold! Desire is the most important catalyst for bringing about radical change. This is not a dress rehearsal; this is your life. Don’t wait another four years, your time is now.
Do not wait another day to become fully engaged in your life, and to live with greater purpose and meaning.
Transformational Action Steps
1. Make a list of all your desires — both those things that you want to achieve in the outer world and those that you long to feel inside. Do you want more self-confidence, more love, a clearer sense of purpose, greater peace of mind? If so, write it down. Do you desire more money, more friends, a soulmate, a child, or a new career? If so, write it down. This is the time to list all of your desires without censoring yourself. Be honest. Be bold.
2. Create a vision map — an outer picture of each of your desires — either by cutting pictures that you love or words that inspire you out of magazines and putting them together in an inspiring way or by adding some images to your screen saver on your computer. Look at your vision map throughout the day to remind yourself of what you truly desire. Commit to taking three minutes each morning to seal these words and images into your consciousness.
3. If you feel any fear or hear the voices inside your head telling you why you can not have what you vision, join us at The Shadow Process Workshop. I guarantee you it will change your life. Click here for the details on how you can join us in the San Francisco Bay Area from April 4th to April 6th to remove the thoughts and beliefs that stand between you and your soul’s desire!
With love,
Kelley
