Life Mandala Writing Journey: Week Four
The Who, What, Where, Why, When and How of your story.
Each week on this writing journey, we’ve been clarifying the deeper asking of our heart. It’s a little bit like an archaeological dig to uncover a collection of parts and pieces that lay the ground work for a greater calling. Not just lofty wishes we sometimes create fantasies around, but the earthy substance of our soul goals.
Goals, resolutions, and intentions have an immense impact on moving us in the direction of what we want. But before we set something in motion, we need a clear understanding of why we want it and who we want it for. Setting a goal at only face value makes for a hollow intention. We fuel inspiration when we connect to our rooted purpose.
Intro Video: Life Mandala Why is this important ?
If you are just diving into the process, you can always go back to week one , two or three to watch the replay. There’s still time! Subscribers can join the Life Mandala Workshop on Thursday, May 1 at 6:30 pm. We will bring it all together - together. For now, take it a day at a time or make some tea for a longer sit and follow your inspiration through each writing prompt to clarify these five questions:
Where are you coming from now? (replay and prompts)
Who are you becoming? (replay and prompts)
What are you seeking? (replay and prompts)
Why is this important?
When is the right time?
How do you feel?
There are Pdfs of all of these writing prompts at the bottom of the post. Grab a pen, journal, or the printable pdfs and cozy up for a few minutes…
Why is this important?
Read through on your own or be guided through each prompt with this video.
There’s a series of litmus tests that every goal needs to go through before it generates enough substance for true transformation. Real illumination is needed. Every flame first needs a spark. We have to strip a goal down to see its motivating forces. When you get to the soul of the goal, what is your “why”?
We have been hearing the same voices in our heads for so long that it’s sometimes hard to discern what is truly ours.
Is your list of goals tainted with ideas of “woulds” and “shoulds”?
Is it made up of things you think other people wish you would do?
Is there some false sense of self that keeps you moving down a misguided path, feeling like you ought to be able to follow through on something?
There are some potent buzz words floating around these days - like autonomy, sovereignty, and agency. For me, they are like one word mantras that remind me to stand strong in my own prowess. They guide me back to the power of my choice and strength of will. They drown out the voices of “shoulds” and “woulds,” so I can hear my internal calling.
When you have a goal in mind, take it through this process to gain a little more clarity around it’s motivating force. We often set goals too vague to point the arrow toward the bullseye. Narrow it down and get specific so that you can see what you’re aiming for.
Start with the goal and then answer the question “what will this give you ?” From that answer ask again “and what will this give you?” Keep going until you hit on an answer that feels complete. You’ll know.
In order for your goals to have a pulse, review and re-evaluate what is fitting at this point in your life. Let it evolve as you evolve. Question if what you wanted then is really what you want now. As we age and grow, so do our needs and desires. If something from 3 years ago doesn’t resonate with who you are now is it really relevant?
It’s pivotal to let go of ideas and beliefs that are just occupying valuable creative real estate and draining your inner resources. If your beautiful beating heart doesn’t surge with excitement, it’s no longer compatible with who you are becoming. Carve away the excess until the only things left light you on fire.
What is the outcome? What does this give you?
Envisioning the end result of a particular goal gives it meaning. Seeing the details of how you feel once the goal is achieved makes it all the more tangible. When you visualize the outcome, each potential becomes more concrete. Describe it all as you will experience it through the senses. These sensual details breath it to life.
Another source of motivation comes from connecting to your contribution. Highlighting who and what the goal is for fuels its ultimate purpose. For most of us, the reason behind a sequence of “whys” is in service of someone or something else. There is a greater good behind its success.
Describe in vivid detail what success looks like once this goal is achieved. What is the outcome? Spend a few minutes really visualizing how it will look and feel.
Answer these questions to guide you through every delicate detail. Paint a picture with your imagination. See it, feel it, know it.
Imagine yourself in that moment of success—what are you feeling, seeing, and hearing?
Write about how your day-to-day life will change when this goal becomes your reality. What’s changed?
Reflect on who in your life will be affected by your success.
What new possibilities or freedoms will open up for you after reaching this goal?
Imagine the morning after accomplishing your goal. What’s the first thing you notice or feel when you wake up?
Which of your superpowers will come through as you achieve this outcome? Let creativity rein.
When we see ourselves at the center of an accomplishment our creative juices surge in that direction. As we visualize the details of something, we lend our own creative pathway to the outcome. The goal, dream, outcome is animated through your innate vision. The result doesn’t come from us, it comes through us.
When we get a snap shot of where we are coming from and a sharper understanding of who we are becoming, we can steadily claim our sovereignty. In it, we can stand both feet planted in an assured stance and say, voice strong, self unwavering - this is what I want - this is why I’m here. It goes beyond attainment of a goal, it’s instead a hearted fulfillment. There is something in us that feels complete. Both resolved and invested, we move fully toward what we want.
The steps taken along the way sometimes seem in synchronicity. It’s a sense of magnetized manifestation. That’s not to say obstacles don’t arise and that everything always falls easily into place. It’s to say that as they do, we posses strengths that let us move forward. We hold the values and virtues that let us see losses as learnings. We can more easily tap into our creativity as we flow from who and where we are. Our actions come as a being in motion, not from an incessant drive to strive.