The reason for being here. Searching for the purpose of existence, as in Hector in pursuit of happiness. The why. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Surely, there has to be more to life than working from 9 – 5, day in and day out. Only living for the weekend. But even the weekends are for shopping, housework, and, if you're lucky, going out for a few hours. As a parent, you have even less time for yourself, extracurricular activities for the kids, from football practice to ballet lessons. And that is it? Is that the purpose of life? Cultivating awareness and starting to practice self-love, self-compassion, and self-worth. But. The guilt of “me” time. To be able just to be. Or write and read, anything that sings to the heart will do. Finding my purpose, my reason for being here. You may resonate with this all. The biggest question of all times? What is my purpose in this life? I have read many self-help books in search of my purpose. Learning many healing modalities. Daily meditation practice and still no dice. My purpose must be something life-altering, something big and amazing. Where is it hiding? What does it look like, feel like? Come on already – show yourself!! That's what you're searching for; you already are. What if the purpose of life was in plain view? What if that was true? The purpose of life is in the remembering of who I am, of who you are. The purpose of life is to be authentic, honest, kind, compassionate, forgiving, and in service to the Soul – and thereby to Grace. That unconditional love is our true nature. Conditioned out of us from an early age. That is the Karma, dogma passed down through the ancestral line – epigenetics. That all one needs to find purpose and meaning in life is to help each other. The teachings of Christ, Buddha, and many others all pointed to this. We must remember that living on Earth is a school for our Soul to grow and evolve, for Grace to experience all that there is. The inner call, the endless need to find the answer to the question 'Why Am I Here?' and the pursuit of purpose in life, is all about connecting to my soul and living a life that is in alignment. But how does that work in this 3D reality? Where bills need to be paid, food needs to be bought, and children need to be raised? Living my full-time purpose, how do you do that? Because we have such diverse life experiences, a single answer will not suit everyone. Our uniqueness sets us apart, and yet underneath, we are all the same. The one who converts power over others is often driven by fear; the need to control stems from fear, and sticking to the familiar path, whether conscious or subconscious, keeps things as they are. Growing out of that mindset and doing the inner work, the shadow work, inner child healing and ancestral lineage healing releases the false belief ingrained over generations. The liberation that followed can be mind-blowing. Personal development and spiritual growth does that. It will change you from the inside out. Transforming your life. It most certainly changed mine. I was everything to everyone, and in the process, I lost who I am. The midlife crises – empty nest syndrome, health crises, and emotional shock. All that was leading to wake up and start searching for the reason why I am here, and that can't be it! This grind of 9-5. Have I found my purpose? Indeed, I have. However, my journey is different to yours. I can tell you yet that would be wrong of me to do so. I can tell you how I did it, pointing the way, The first step is to be aware of the thoughts running our life. To question whether the thought or belief is true. Often, what we think is right is an opinion passed down from our parents. Question everything. Is this true? And how do I know that it is? Learning to observe the mind's endless chatter and learning to pay attention when something is shifting. When energy starts to move. For example, when you watch a movie and it has a sad moment, you feel miserable and tears come. This is energy. Every thought has an energy attached to it. With practice, you learn to sense when it rises and you allow it to be. Nothing to do, no label, no need to know the why. Just let it be. That is awareness of energy moving through the body. Sitting in stillness enables us to observe our mind, our body and the energy surrounding us. This practice becomes so ingrained that we can do this at all times. The moment I feel a change in energy, I take note. I observe. When I notice that I'm getting embroiled in the outside world, I stop and focus on my breath, bringing the energy back to myself. This is being present, being in the here and now. That is the purpose of life: to be present, open and living from an open heart. Well, that is my opinion. Yours could be very different. And that is okay. There is no right or wrong on the journey to your true nature – it just is. I hope that my letter has provided you with what you needed, and that you enjoyed reading it. Much love to you all Anja xx

The Journey of Self-Discovery This week's writing invitation revolves around the theme of movement—a concept that encapsulates our lives' physical and metaphysical aspects. Many of you may remember that I am a member of Beth Kempton’s Soulstack, which has proven to be the perfect community for my personal growth and exploration. Each Monday, we receive a word prompt that allows us to write freely, fostering a sense of liberation and creativity. Over the past three weeks, I have been immersed in the writing process, completing the manual for one of my courses, "Reiki & Crystals," and making substantial progress on another course, which is now a third complete. Structuring a course involves considerable effort: writing, taking photographs, creating engaging headlines, compiling indices, and numbering pages. Each task presents an opportunity to learn, especially as I prepare for the eventual writing of a book—indeed, lofty dreams and big aspirations. During this time, however, I diverted from writing by engaging in artistic endeavours and more profound inner work, which have become pivotal aspects of my current path. My journey is driven by an urgent need to seek the truth—yet this search has now turned inward. I find myself sitting in stillness, observing my mind, and recognising the thoughts and beliefs that operate on autopilot. In this context, movement signifies my progression towards my authentic self, as I strive to live and breathe my passions. I am gradually paying less heed to the opinions of others, for I have come to understand the profound significance of silence. In that stillness, much can be communicated; indeed, sometimes the absence of words conveys more than a hundred spoken. As I continue along my path toward wholeness, numerous distractions present themselves. Remaining steadfast and avoiding the meanderings into the chaos of life is essential. It is crucial to engage with life without becoming embroiled in it. I envision myself as an observer, like watching a television show, witnessing the characters’ trials and triumphs unfold. Oh, look—my laptop is experiencing a glitch! Will I remain calm, or will I succumb to frustration? Life frequently presents similar challenges, offering lessons in resilience and composure. Inner work facilitates the discovery of our true selves and helps us discern the nature of our beliefs. How often do we blindly accept what we are told without questioning its validity? Consider the narrative of Adam and Eve—does it hold truth for us? Or think back to your childhood encounters with the Tooth Fairy, exchanging a lost tooth for a shiny 50 pence piece. The beliefs we hold about ourselves can profoundly shape our lives. How frequently did you hear disparaging remarks as a child—whether you were labelled as stupid, overweight, or useless? When a child hears that they are destined for failure often enough, that belief may take root. As adults, disentangling ourselves from these long-held beliefs can be a formidable challenge. Despite the effort dedicated to achieving success, success remains elusive without a fundamental belief in oneself. This dichotomy is particularly pronounced for writers, poets, and artists. The struggle lies in writing for joy and creating for pleasure while endeavouring to monetise those passions. Can one make art that emanates from the soul while producing work that sells? Is writing for a broad audience while responding to a more profound calling possible? Perhaps it can be both. I possess the will, yet at times, I find myself lacking the necessary skills. The adage, "You cannot know what you do not know," rings true. Therefore, one must persist, maintain that connection to the chair and commit to daily writing. Regular writing accumulates momentum, moving energy and shifting our perceptions of our beliefs. As the German saying goes, "Es ist noch kein Meister vom Himmel gefallen," highlighting the necessity of dedicating time and effort to achieve mastery. Is all that is required an unwavering belief in my worth, gifts, and talents? Must I relinquish my need for control and show up daily, regardless of circumstances? Movement possesses multiple dimensions, but the most significant advancement occurred when I finally stepped aside and allowed grace to guide my journey. In this trust, I have discovered a sense of purpose and clarity. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed my little essay about movement. Who knew that this word was leading to 750 words spilled onto the page? Much love Anja xx