Picture this: a bright-eyed college freshman sitting in a fluorescent-lit classroom. She opens her Intro to Psych text. When she beholds the contents on the page… well, let’s just say if this was a scene from her memoir-turned-Netflix-docuseries (#goals), you could basically substitute the following clip from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Arc to capture the expression and feeling tone exactly.
That college student? That was me. Indiana Joanna, if you will. And I know you will.
Except Indiana Joanna is allergic to khakis. Imagine instead: on-trend bootcut jeans, thrift-store tee and ponytail.
And in the place of that golden idol, picture a late-90’s graphic of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – beveled edges and all.
When I read the words self-actualization at the top of that rainbow, stacked pyramid it was as if I had looked upon the eye of providence for the first time – and it was staring back at me, winking even.
In case you need a refresher, here’s a definition:
SELF-ACTUALIZATION:
noun // self-ac·tu·al·i·za·tion
the realization of one’s full potential or of one’s true self.
Yeah, that. I want that. How do I get that?
Nevermind all that stuff toward the bottom of the pyramid about safety and love and belonging and blah… blah… blah…
Also, nevermind that Buddha and Einstein are on the short list of self-actualized humans. And there’s only a short list.
I knew in my heart, this was the arena I was meant to work in: human potentiality. The capacity for someone to be most fully the person they were born to be. This was totally going to be my thing.
Fast forward nearly two decades later, I realize now it’s always been my thing. That whole magical Eye of Providence moment was just one of many bread crumbs on the path leading to my soul’s purpose. It was just one of many in a string of events deeply tied the roots of who I’ve always been.
Helping women form a deep, meaningful connection to self and learn to embody their potential and align with their purpose is at the heart of everything I do. This is the wildish nature.
Paying attention to what piques your curiosity – a core wildish practice – is a simple, yet powerful way to cultivate a deep, felt connection to who you in your roots.
It’s your turn. What little curiosities – over the past weeks, months, or even a lifetime – have captured your attention, or put a little extra twinkle in your eye? What do you think these little “soul crumbs” are trying to tell you about yourself? I’d love to hear in the comments!
In Love & Wildness,
The “bread crumbs” that come to mind for me are: 1) a love for books. I always had a certain energy come over me when I went inside a library or bookstore. I wanted to take them all home!
2) a pull toward natural health. A feeling of serenity. (For a brief period of time I wanted to quit dental hygiene school and go to school for massage therapy, but my mom talked me out of it)
3) I’ve never really seemed to “fit in”, and I can’t say I’ve ever had a strong desire to. I enjoy my solitude.
4) There’s a desire to write buried within me. (Since I was a child I enjoyed writing, in high school I thought about studying journalism, but was led to believe it wasn’t a solid career from a financial point of view.).
5) I have such an admiration for teachers of natural health, forward thinkers leaders who (like you) and helping people better their lives and are sources of inspiration.
Deb, this is so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. Oh, how I also share a love for books. The library was my favorite place to be as child – I still remember the layout perfectly and how I felt walking in. It was like the whole place was alive. And, oh, the smell! I also wanted to take all the books home! There was a 25 book checkout limit for children’s books and I maxed out or went over every single time! It sounds like you have a strong connection to your intuition, sensing which way the innate Self wants to pull you. I cannot wait to see what unfolds for you in Wildish!