What do you want?
How many times have you – or has someone close to you – asked this question?
If you’re not sure of your answer, try this exercise; it can help you discover your soul’s desire.
Grab a piece of paper and at the top of it write: “Things I want.” Then, below it, list everything you can think of. A better job, a fitter body, a new car, whatever. When you’ve made your list, turn the page over and write “Things I yearn for.” Then, start filling out that list. You might find yourself listing things now that were not on your first list. That’s because, according to Martha Beck, the first list – your wants – is created entirely by your mind and the mind is conditioned to tell us what we think we want or need. Yearnings are whispered by the soul; our souls tell us what we really want and need. As you make your 2nd list, don’t worry about how the things on the list might come to be, just know that … if you pay attention to them, they will.
Example: If you want a new car you might really be yearning for …. freedom and if you want romance you might really be yearning for …. intimacy.
My own list looked like this:
– Want- -Yearn-
1. Less debt Freedom
2. Time with spouse Connections
3. Fitness/health Confidence, strength
4. Travel Adventure
5. Smaller house Freedom
I see a pattern emerging here; do you?
image from pinmarklet.com
When we take the time to really listen to ourselves, we find the soul is always the heart of the matter. Our soul yearnings resonate with truth and conviction. Wants feel … restless, demanding and impatient.
I’m choosing to explore my soul’s desires and leave the wants behind.
What do you want?
