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Intention matters. A lot.
Seventeen years ago, I had a girlfriend who proclaimed that she was going to open her own spa.
Sixteen years ago this month, we opened our doors.
She said it was going to be awesome . . . and it was (and is) awesome.
In the first year, I could never have imagined what it would later become. I thought we’d have a handful of massage therapists and aestheticians, we’d give good treatments, and that would be the extent of it.
But we did a lot of “intentioning.” We dreamed, we clarified our purpose, we performed simple rituals to get aligned with our mission – and most of it wasn’t specifically about massage or skin care. We were very, very clear that we’re in service to humanity and want to help people – lots of people – access peace and healing.
Consequently, things started happening.
If someone had said to us at the beginning, “How would you like to start a company with multiple spa locations, your own line of herbal supplements and natural body care products, online courses, books, a hundred employees, a life coach training program, and a charity to support women in difficult transitions?” I probably would have said, “No, thanks. That sounds like too much.”
But as we grew, the scope of our work grew.
I saw myself first as a doctor of Asian medicine, and as long as I was attached to (and limited to) that identity, there wasn’t much space to expand into the full potential of my purpose, which is more broadly to help the world heal, reconnect, and awaken. But as I loosened up and began to see myself as a bringer of light, open to whatever form that might take, the opportunities to go beyond “doctor” appeared. Actually, the opportunities have stretched me beyond any particular identity – man, father, “good person,” etc.
So, I thank you for being with us through these 16 years of growth. The thousands of people we’ve had the honor to interact with have made it truly magical. And I want to encourage you to do two things:
- Broaden your purpose and know it clearly. Be able to state it in your sleep. It’s fine to have a more specific purpose within a certain context (e.g., “My purpose is to help children grow and express themselves through music”), but try out a more universal purpose for your life as a whole. How will you serve the Great Wonder that gives you life and consciousness? What role will you have in the awesome awesomeness in which you’re an alert and powerful player? How can you embody enthusiastic and trusting participant and co-creator?
- Be willing to let it take you beyond whatever forms you may have imagined.
Love,
Peter
Peter,
This is just what I needed to hear today. I am passionate about my purpose, but I can see how I have made it too narrow.
Thank You.
Jill
You’re welcome, Jill!
Such a great reminder about so many things. Very inspiring. Thank you !
Love this! When ever I go narrow with my purpose, I fail. I lose faith in myself, and I become bored of the idea of those goals. They have nothing to do with my purpose at all. They are just tasks. Tasks are fleeting, and a lot of work. Purpose is invaluable, and encompasses and motivates my entire spirit and being. Best of all, purpose is an unshakeable force, and cannot be accomplished or failed. It simply is. I need to tap into it more. Thank you for the reminder. 🙂
Great, Caitlin! I love the way you put this. Thanks for sharing.
I love this and it’s so true when you truly care about people and help them things fall into place. 19 years ago I married my best friend and supported our vision of his musicianship and light & loving being he is – his dream (now mine too) of opening a music, movement and art facility is set in motion. As I get stuck in the “what if’s” I will try and keep the intension of helping to transform the dream into motion and it doesn’t have to be all or nothing…it will be what it needs to if I can BE WILLING…Love to you Peter & Brianna – Thank you for your lightness and wisdom.
Thanks for sharing, Heidi. That sounds like a wonderful place you’re creating!
This is the most perfect piece of raw and authentic writing I’ve had the pleasure of reading in quite a while. Thank you. You’ve inspired me. I accept your encouragement and pledge to do these two things. Bravo! ❤️
Thanks for your kind words, Beven. I’m happy to have kindled inspiration!
I love this, and I’m very happy to have found The Dragontree. I’d love to participate in some of the courses, but they’re just out of my budget right now. I know I have a purpose, and I know those classes would help me to conquer my fears. Saving, a nickel at a time!
This theme, is coming up a lot right now. Giving over our small desires, and expanding, and allowing as you call it, The Great Wonder (I love that) to orchestrate more than we might imagine and allow that to happen with ease and grace. It is also amazing to me that, in my writing of my first online course material today, the Wise Woman within brought up the word Enthusiasm as a primarily important aspect of having what I call a simply enchanted Life. Enthusiasm is letting the wonder lead the way, and sometimes even those of us who are evolved, get caught in the games the ego plays.. thank you and it feels so good to know that I am part of an emerging culture of creative individuals such as you and your beloved. I am encouraged by the consciousness of so many younger people ( I am over 60 now!) blessed be dear Peter.
Thanks, Rhianne. I agree – I think you can’t fake enthusiasm. And in order to be genuinely enthusiastic, you must trust. Enthusiasm usually involves some recognition of your power – at least in your power to choose your perspective.
I’m reminded of a reiki attunement I did on a friend over 20 years ago. At the time, I saw orange light all around him. I had another friend, an older woman with special powers of perception, and I asked her what that orange light meant. She said, “In this case, that orange light was ENTHUSIASM!” Indeed, that friend was and still is one of the most enthusiastic players in life I’ve ever met, whether it’s, “I’m gonna go get my first ever colonoscopy!” or, “I’m going to have ice cream!” What an empowered way to live.
As a woman going through a sometimes painful transition, your words were exactly what I needed to hear. My intention has been too specific, as well as my expectations. I need to broaden the scope of both in order to fully embrace my life’s purpose.
Thanks, Barbara. I’m glad it was helpful. And I hope that shift brings about a recognition of endless opportunities and a great sense of freedom.
Hi, I honestly don’t believe that I came to this site today just to check out your apothecary shop for essential oils & such. I have been here for almost a full 12 hours reading your articles one after another I have now realized how & where I have gone wrong or blew it so many different ways & times in my 62 years of life that “Mother Earth” has helped me survive through so far ( I have out lived 2 different kinds of cancer with herbs, I have lived through 2 major car crashes, I still have the ability to ” Forsee & Heal some with stones but I need to finish that training still. I have up on my self 😭 a long time ago because of people, places, & circumstances beyond my control to make a long story short I think after today. I will have to get my “SHIT BACK TOGETHER & ALL IN ONE BASKET” !!? THANK YOU for reopening my eyes & mind so that maybe I can refund myself I will be back tomorrow……