Gurus - The Journey Magazine

Soul Food
Soul Food is dedicated to all my readers as an offering
to share my metaphysical musings and the lessons
that I have encountered throughout my journey here in
this classroom we call Planet Earth. I encourage your
questions and quandaries as we grow together toward
solution and enlightenment.
Dear Eva:
I’ve asked myself a question for years and unfortunately
still haven’t found an answer. How does one go about
finding their purpose? I’ve taken seminars, read books and
done meditations to no avail. It seems to be so easy for
people like Mother Teresa, Bill Gates, even Elvis Presley.
But what about the rest of us, living ordinary lives with no
obvious talents? How do we find that thing that makes us
jump for joy, that thing we would do even if we weren’t
getting paid? I won’t stop looking until I find it.
Purposeless in Carmel Valley, CA
Pa g e 32
You’d be surprised the gifts
other people see in us that we
fail to see in ourselves.
Dear Purposeless:
You are not alone my friend. I did the same thing, even
took seminars on “finding your purpose” and I still didn’t
feel like I knew what my purpose was. It wasn’t until I got
back from taking the Louise Hay course in San Diego 10
years ago and brought the work to Cleveland and started
teaching, speaking and writing that I knew.
In hindsight here’s what I’ve noticed, now that I know
what I love to do. As a child of five girls I was the only
one that would read at night (after we were supposed to
be in bed) with a flashlight under the covers. I grew up on
a farm and when my family couldn’t find me, I would be
way down in the woods, sitting under an apple tree reading.
As I got older and was able to go places on my own
I’d always walk to a library, I’d spend hours there. I didn’t
realize until just recently that it was there all the time. I’ve
always loved books. No wonder I’m a writer.
Besides reflecting on what you loved as a child, (there
are some big clues there), what do you love now? Don’t
even hesitate; what’s the first thing that jumps out at you.
Another process I find helpful is making a list of what you
don’t want to do. Eliminating the things you absolutely
don’t want to do helps clarify what you do want.
Enlist the help of friends and family. Seriously talk with
them and ask them, “What do you feel I do well?” You’d
be surprised the gifts other people see in us that we fail to
see in ourselves. Take note of what you do throughout a
Ja n u a r y • Fe b r u a r y 2012
By Eva Starr
day, a week, a month and
pay attention to whatever
it is that you noticed really
made you feel alive. I bet you’ll find there are moments that
elicit the passion in you that you’re not even aware of.
Go around your neighborhood and stop to talk to the
people who seem to really love what they’re doing and ask
them. Yeah, simple things like this open you to a whole
new thought process. Get yourself a journal and just start
writing “I wish…” and let the pen do the work. Spend time
alone in the silence every day (not just a meditation here
and there) and really get to know you. God put your gift
inside of you, and it’s just waiting to be opened. Be gentle
with yourself my child; nurture that cocoon and then let
that butterfly spread its wings and show the world you
have arrived.
Dear Eva:
My husband and I have been trying to be parents for
several years. Our efforts were futile so we turned toward
adoption. Even with that we are encountering obstacles. Is
the universe trying to tell us something? When do you quit
banging your head against the wall v. continuing to try?
Babyless in Chagrin Falls, OH
If you’re paddling upstream
against the current and not
getting anywhere I’d drop the
oars and let nature take its
course. The boat will eventually
turn itself around and flow
downstream with the current.
Dear Babyless:
I’m sure you’ve heard about people who quit trying and
then, voila, they’re with child. I like Stuart Wilde’s approach
in his book Life Was Never Meant to Be A Struggle: plain
and simple go with the flow. If you’re paddling upstream
against the current and not getting anywhere I’d drop the
oars and let nature take its course. The boat will eventually
turn itself around and flow downstream with the current.
Is the universe trying to tell you something? Well
only you can answer that; same with dreams – you are
the final interpreter. You may want to ask yourself some
t h e Jo u r n e y