I just returned from a camping trip to Jervis Bay. Preceded by a month of travel through Japan and Korea, I feel a deep sense of total peace. Like I’ve “arrived” somewhere.
Though I believe we don’t ever really “arrive,” in life- my metaphorical pilgrimage back to my soul feels like it’s finally come to an end… or at least for the meantime.
I never thought I’d get to a place of total peace. I’d read about and imagine for myself that lifestyle of complete surrender, oneness with all, contentment within oneself- and as beautiful as it sounded… it seemed near impossible for me.
Me and my busy mind, frenetic energy, chaotic thoughts and constant striving, wanting, chasing and worrying.
Over the past 3 years I’ve been on a journey “searching.” Some might call it “soul-searching”, and for right reason- that’s really what we’re all here doing isn’t it?
I’ve had my ebbs and flow and many profound moments of realising my own truth in this time.
I’ve experienced the difference between the real me and the learned me, and little by little I began to shed those layers.
But there was something about this past month, where my conscious choice to get unplugged- off social media, hardly using any devices and travel caused the full integration to take place.
I not only found the final fragments of myself again- I also become her again.
My vision board “self” is the “most authentic me”
I look back at the years of striving, hustling, burning out and then re-building myself again. I think to myself, “all those years spent chasing something and trying to prove”… “all along I was just finding how to be myself again.”
The life I have now is a culmination of all that I have experienced, but the reality I choose to experience is one that highlights the moments, memories and qualities that feel the most true for me.
Though I’ve been taught to perform, please and pursue the praises of others- I now figuratively and literally dance to the beat of my own drum. The beating of my own heart.
And there is nothing more magical, profound, transformative or life giving than this.
Introducing the real me
So the Nicole you saw before is different to the Nicole you see now. And she will be different again tomorrow and the next day, and the next. I’ve come to accept that our nature is to evolve and change.
And that the goal of life is not to hoard or hustle to guarantee that it all stays the same.
I realise now that true success is how well you can flow with the motions of life. The constantly changing circumstances around you, the ever shifting constructs of your own self-concept and the fluid nature of relationships and dynamics… all of it is life itself.
And to succeed at life is really just to learn to live it well.
To experience all this constant change and the chaos it brings, as peace itself.
Living with passion is not about having more
It’s not about accumulating more stuff
Nor is it about status or wealth.
Passion is immeasurable- it’s being able to experience all your sensations to their fullest and knowing that this is true abundance
Passion is knowing what’s worth living for and feeling grateful for the way life happens for you
Like being in the midst of a chaotic new city or among the tallest trees in a forest- there is a subtle yet consistent life force that keeps it all thriving.
You may not see it, understand it or ever get to really touch it.
But it’s not there to be captured. It’s there to be experienced.
That’s the pulse of passion.
If you focus not on the seemingly haphazard nature of what’s on the surface, you miss it.
If you’re too fixated on the end goal or the prize, you lose passion and become driven by a need for the praise of others.
But if you attune to the ever present pulse, you experience what it really means to be alive.
… and that, is living with passion.
Passion is…
So you want to live a more fulfilling life.
Here’s what living with passion looks like:
Doing things just because you want to
Not waiting for someone else to go with you
Making choices because you feel at peace with it
Tuning out the voices of everybody else
Following your bliss
Becoming the childlike version of yourself again
Not silencing your voice
Not holding back because you’re afraid of what others will think
Feeling your sensations
Not being in a rush to get anywhere
Accepting nothing is really in your control
Letting go of who you thought you needed to be
Releasing expectations of yourself and of others
Being connected to yourself
Knowing what pleases you and displeases you
This is just what came to mind (but I could go on and on).
There are many ways you can measure “success” this year, but if you’re not clear about what is driving you… you’ll just keep chasing
And the exhaustion without purpose, is not worth it.
What is your passion?
What will drive you this year?
How will you keep fuelling your fire?
Remember: being your authentic self is the easiest thing you can do (wearing the mask of who you think you need to be, is much harder).
Sending you love,
Nicole x
P.S. Haven’t defined your vision for 2025 yet? Join me here on the virtual workshop experience. Full workbook & video workshop included.
Don’t let January end without taking the time to cast a clear vision of what you want for yourself this year. It’s the least you can do to create a fulfilling year.
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