Viktor Emil Frankl, M.D., Ph.D. (26 March 1905 – 2 September 1997) was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist as well as a Holocaust survivor. He is know to have said that: "He who has a WHY can bear any HOW" (http://andreaskluth.org/2009/09/15/frankl-he-who-has-a-why-can-bear-any-how/)
Knowing your values- what you value that will help you stay in alignment and in your truth - is a first step to discovering your WHY in life. The First Way of the 8 Ways is about walking strongly in your truth (Ahu Ahu) - but that is only really possible when you know what that truth is - the 8th Way (Kuke Ana Wai) reminds you to connect with your WHY - to know what makes any pain and suffering worth the journey.
Discovering the WHY in life can take time, and you may find it changes over time. Often you will discover your WHY through great suffering, even life threatening conditions. Victor Frankl says you can make up your mind to "act freely as a responsible being....in spite of the suffering" and that 'despair' is when we suffer without meaning - when we can't find meaning in our experience (the link to the video where he talks about this is below).
I remember thinking , in 2001 when I travelled to Paris, that I had to create some new "WHYS" for the next stage of my life. My youngest son had just come through a major operation that promised to assist him to live and was showing all the signs that that would happen, after years of doubt around that possibility. Keeping my son well and my family safe had driven me to do all I could possibly do during that time. And when things became easier in time, I took some time out for myself to celebrate by finally travelling to Europe, a long-time dream of mine.
I was walking back on a busy Paris street back to the hotel late one evening with some friends and it suddenly hit me that all my dreams had come true. I frightened my friends somewhat by suddenly calling out a huge "Thank you" to the Universe for fulfilling the last of my dreams - to visit Paris. I can still remembering the feeling of my heart filling up so much I thought it would burst. Almost, in that same moment, a fleeting thought crossed my mind.
"Where to from here?"
For some time, I couldn't think of any new dreams - anything else to fully motivate me to be the best person I could be and to keep a brave and trusting heart despite the many hicups in life. There were many times when I couldn't find 'meaning' for my suffering, for the trauma and loss in my life. While I was still taking responsibility and caring for my family and building my business, there was room for more understanding of 'WHY' my soul had chosen such a difficult pathway.
Soon after my return form Paris, I began 'dreaming' in the next stage of my life. I took time to create a Vision Board - long before Vision Boards became fashionable, and soon my new "WHY"S" began to emerge. When I looked back and could see what I had learned from my past experiences, I could see how they were now giving me the strength to dare to dream the Big Dreams I had on my board.
Recently my life took a radical new direction as I left all that I was familiar with and moved interstate. Just over a week ago, after arriving in Sydney to live, work and play, I knew it was time to fully 'dream' in my purpose for being here - to find my drivers - the 'WHYS' that will assist me to manage the unknown - to break through the fear - to have the courage to follow the signs that I knew would come, the moment I took the time to settle and listen.
One sign, one opportunity, and one person after the other has come to assist me each day. I still hold Grand Dreams yet to be filled in my heart, and I know and trust that my being in Sydney is step for these to unfold. The pathway to those great dreams is becoming clearer.
Beneath all of my dreaming - conscious and unconscious - is an underlying WHY that has been clear to me for some time. It is simple really - I do what I do because my Soul, guided by the Eagle, calls me to be the best person I can be - to fully and freely use the gifts given to me by our Creator, to use these gifts to serve and lead, to honour and respect the land and creatures of our beautiful planet. And I do all of this because if feels good - it feels true and fills my heart.
So - what is your WHY- or what are your WHYs?
I would love to hear what you think and feel about this.
Love to all
Heather
http://www.shamanicpathandpractice.com/the-8-ways.html