Who am I?
Have you ever asked yourself that question? What was your answer? Likely, it had something to do with one of the roles you play in your life. These roles might be in relation to others—mother, wife, sister, friend, and so on—or in relation to your religious affiliation, job title, ethnicity, gender, or political beliefs.
We all define ourselves in a multitude of ways. But are any of those descriptions the real us?
Spoiler alert—the answer is no.
So, if those major aspects of your life aren’t who you truly are… then who are you? And how do you find yourself?
If you want to create a life that’s in alignment with who you are, you need to start by discovering who that is. Listen to episode 93 to find out how to tap into your true self and create a life that feels purposeful and meaningful to you.
Now…onto the spiritual teaching that keeps showing up in my life and popped up again this week!
Everything Is Happening For You
Everything—and I mean EVERYTHING—is happening for you.
This was a spiritual teaching that took me a long time to lean into. Quite frankly, when I first heard it, I was angry. You know, the seething, indignant, righteous kind of anger.
That was me.
I was in the first few years of chronic migraine, and my life felt like it was spinning out of control. How could someone say something like that? Clearly, they didn’t understand my situation. Clearly, they had never faced anything so difficult.
I was trapped in my ego—wanting and clinging to an outcome I desired, and raging at the world, and God, for not giving it to me.
But what if our desire for a specific outcome closes our eyes to the possibilities that lie all around us?
What if this situation—no matter how challenging—has something to teach us?
What if it gives us the opportunity to grow, expand, and deepen into our true selves and the life we desire?
What if the thing we fear, the thing we hate, the thing we think we can’t live through… is the exact thing our soul needs to uncover the depths of who we are and why we came here?
I could give you countless examples of how this has happened in my life in deep and sacred ways. But today, I want to share a small, recent example—one that might help you see the magic that exists everywhere if we choose to lean into it.
My Mini Reminder
A few weeks ago, I was on my way to teach a yoga class when I got rear-ended.
Thankfully, no one was hurt. It was just an annoyance—filing a police report, being late for my class, dealing with insurance companies, body shops, and rental car logistics.
By all outward appearances, there was nothing good about it. I could have been angry, frustrated, and served myself up a heaping plate of self-pity.
But instead, I tried to practice what I call open receptivity—a state where the mind, heart, and senses are wide open and receptive to what’s possible in any given situation. Another way to put it? Staying in a state of wonder and curiosity.
Your experience of life changes dramatically when, instead of shutting down, you ask, What is this here to teach me?
On to the story…
When I went to rent a car, the employee told me that in my state, if you’re in an accident that’s not your fault, you can rent an equivalent car to your own at no cost.
He showed me two options: a Jeep Wrangler and an SUV similar to what I drive.
I looked at both and felt like I should take the SUV. It was practical. It had all the amenities I was used to. It was more appropriate for a “mom car.”
But even after all that rationalizing, something inside me said… go for the Jeep.
Even my husband pointed out the downsides of the Jeep, but I decided to listen to that inner voice.
And let me tell you—this Jeep has been so much fun.
I love the ride. I got ducked (way more thrilling than I expected 😂). And, it’s given me a sense of youth. (Ahem… I totally get why old guys buy sports cars now. 😉)
I am SO grateful I get to drive this Jeep for a few weeks because it’s bringing me a tremendous amount of joy.
And—bonus—it’s making me feel playful (which, fun fact, is my intention for the year). 🤔 Manifest much? 😜 (It never shows up in the way you expect it!)
By surrendering to what is, listening to my inner compass, and being curious about what could come from this situation, I made a powerful internal shift.
This small inconvenience turned into an opportunity for joy and gratitude. It deepened my understanding of who I am and what truly lights me up.
Now, I know this is a very minor situation in the grand scheme of things. But I’m using it to show that we can learn from everything that happens to us—both big and small—if we remain in open receptivity. If we stay in wonder and curiosity.
Let your life teach you.
Be curious about what’s happening to you, and see if you can shift your perspective to how it’s actually happening for you.
Do you have any examples from your own life—big or small? I want to hear!
Leave a comment and let me know!
Don’t hesitate to subscribe to my Substack to receive more insights!
