The Soul Room

“In helping others to succeed I shall find my own prosperity.  In the welfare of others, I shall find my own well-being“ - Paramahansa Yogananda

There seems to be a common longing among many of us today:

We long for more SATISFACTION and more FULFILLMENT in our lives.

We want to be content, happy and satisfied – with every aspect of it.

So what IS going to satisfy us and give us that feeling of fulfillment and contentment?

In my own quest for that sometimes elusive feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment, I’ve come to realize that we all need a cause.

Something to believe in, fight for, stand up for… something that we are absolutely passionate about and feel strongly about.

Maybe it’s women’s rights or world peace.  Maybe it’s helping the homeless, empowering teenagers, children or the disadvantaged… maybe it’s as simple as being kind, compassionate, or bringing laughter to the lives of others… a way of living and existing that you can share with others to help lift them out of their personal suffering…

To find your cause, recognise what you feel passionate and strongly about.  You may have a ‘fire’ in your heart that re-ignites itself whenever you have a conversation about a particular topic.

I’m passionate about many things and one of them is empowering women.  One aspect of my passion is raising the awareness of the toxic chemicals that companies put in skin care products.  Women today are used as guinea pigs with skin care products that are loaded with toxic chemicals, the effects of which, haven’t been tested for with long term use.  We’re sold these through anti-aging promises and the likes that manipulate us into believing a product is good for our skin.  I just don’t understand how an ingredient used as a car degreaser and garage floor cleaner could be good for our health & skin!

Now when I started typing those last sentences above I felt a hot fire rise up within me while thinking about the manipulation and deceit within this big industry – this is a clue to where your passions lie.  Your passion may even light a gentle fire of compassion or empathy… passions will release and express themselves in differing ways among all of us.  Getting in touch with your own fire, however it is burning, can fuel your passion.

I truely believe that there is something –  some cause, or a way of being or living that will ignite this fire within and from which you can gain great satisfaction in it’s expression.

When you watch the news, or read the paper, what sort of stories are you naturally drawn to?  Which stories trigger an emotional response within you?

Having a cause – something worth fighting for, a way of living, something to be involved in, expressing our desire to help others… is a way we can enhance our own experience of life, and also that of others.

No cause is too small.  Making a difference in the life of one of your friends can have a ripple effect that is totally unlimited and unstoppable… the effect of one kind, positive deed can be amazing. You only have to remind yourself of the movie Pay It Forward and see how people took that message on board, and still have to this day.  Many lives have been changed.  (If you haven’t seen this movie – hire it today!)

So….figure out the thing or things that you feel most passionate about and find a way to express your passions and incorporate them  into your life:

• Sign partitions for your cause
• Donate to an organisation representing your cause
• Start a blog for your cause – an awesome way to spread your message!
• Volunteer for your cause
• Commit to your cause within your closest circle eg. if you believe more kindness and compassion is needed in the world, then practice this on a daily basis with everyone you come in contact with
• Start a small group for your cause- advertise in the local paper, at local cafes etc to get likeminded people together
• Join a forum
• Start your own business – I started my own business selling organic products due to my passion for health & organics
• Comment on blogs related to your cause and become part of a community of likeminded people

These are just a few examples – there are so many different things you can do, big and small.  You may have grand plans to change the world! or maybe you can only commit to something on a smaller scale focusing on your own personal world…

With great certainty I can say that if you embrace a passion or a cause you will feel more satisfaction and you will definitely feel more fulfilled.

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose“ - Helen Keller