I recently read Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book “Big Magic,” and not only did I find it magnificently inspiring, I found it to be exactly what I needed to hear. The book is about living a creative life in whatever capacity aligns with you, whether that is singing, painting, writing, collecting or even figure skating. Big Magic is all about finding and then feeding that creativity, and through that process, hopefully discovering the buried treasures that reside deep within all of us.
As I was reading the book, I kept hearing the same message out in the world. And that message was saying, “feed your soul.” I heard it in different ways and from different sources. I heard “feed yourself what you need” at a women’s entrepreneurial meeting and then at a yoga class I heard the teacher speak about how women tend to put others first and if we could just feed ourselves what we need, how magical our world could be. I love how the universe conspires in sending us messages if we are willing to tune in and receive them.
I tuned in and I heard: FEED YOUR SOUL!
The next obvious question is what does that mean to me? How can I feed my soul? Can I feed my soul and still honor my obligations, work, children and spouse. And if I feed my soul, how will this make me a kinder person?
Feeding my soul is not simply about doing what makes me happy, it’s deeper than that, it is what I am meant to be doing, it is what I have to do, it is what aligns with me. Feeding my soul comes down to two simple things: writing and water. Let me explain. I need to write like I need oxygen, and I need to swim and be in water like I need food. I may not be the best writer, well, I’m not, but I just have to write. I must write, whether people enjoy it, judge, ignore it; it does not matter, I must write. Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic” gave me permission to go head first with all I have, to simply put it out there with no fear, and yet, no guarantee. That is perfectly acceptable to me. Thank you Elizabeth Gilbert!
Now to the water. I must swim, because again, it is necessary. I do not know why it is necessary, but I dare not question it. I try to understand it, but not question it. Swimming is like a moving meditation, a place where my thoughts can roam free with no attachment where my body feels correct, like a beautiful sea creature at home in the water. It is meditation, it is healing, it is freedom and it is where I must be a few times per week. It makes me happy and it feeds my soul. I suppose that is the point of this post. A part of me is a little embarrassed to share the two things that feed my soul and spirit, because it feels vulnerable, but then I think what if we all fed our souls, our spirit, our passion with no fear and no apologies. If we all fed our souls just think of the kind world we could live in.
What feeds your soul, your passion, your creativity, your happiness? Whatever it is, just do it. Feed your soul and your spirit will soar.
What could be more kind than to give yourself exactly what you need?
Jennifer Palazzo
4 Acts of Kindness 