Hi,
I'm Rod Jans,
A trained spiritual director,
Retreat leader,
And coach.
Today I want to invite you to consider doing what you love and aligning with your true self.
If you've lost your love for life,
I hope this reflection and meditation offer you a reset helping you rediscover joy,
Peace,
And a deeper connection to love.
Many of us get stuck in routines,
Putting work,
Distractions,
And daily obligations ahead of what truly brings us joy.
We convince ourselves that passion and responsibility don't belong together,
That fulfillment is something extra rather than essential.
But when we keep pushing aside what we love,
We start to feel disconnected from ourselves,
From life-giving energy,
And from what makes life meaningful.
Making space for what we love,
Even in small ways,
Has the power to transform us.
It rekindles joy,
Deepens our sense of purpose,
And allows us to contribute to the world in a way that feels meaningful to us and expansive.
Whether it's writing music,
Quality time with family,
Playing your favorite sport,
Volunteering – there's so many things that people love – or simply being present in nature,
Engaging with what we love reconnects us to our most authentic self.
This isn't about dropping all your responsibilities or chasing passion without considering real-life needs.
There will always be hard or uncomfortable things that we have to do.
But even in the midst of that,
We can make space for what fills us up.
Finding harmony and alignment and gently incorporating what we love into our daily lives in a way that feels natural and sustainable is the key.
We often move through life without fully loving it.
But as we make room for what we love,
We create a life worth living.
Here's a mindfulness meditation to help you be open and to consider the things that give you life.
Find a comfortable seat.
Relax your shoulders.
Relax your chest,
And particularly the area surrounding your heart.
Let your breath flow naturally.
And if it feels right,
Close your eyes.
Now take a slow,
Deep breath in through your nose and hold it for a moment.
And exhale gently through your mouth.
Again,
Breathe in deeply,
Filling your lungs,
Expanding the belly.
Hold it.
And then exhale and release any tension that you're feeling.
One more time.
Inhale fully.
Hold it.
And exhale completely.
Now just allow your breath to settle into a natural rhythm,
Gentle and effortless.
As you breathe,
Silently ask yourself,
What activities or pursuits make you feel most alive?
Allow any images,
Memories,
Or sensations to arise.
If nothing comes,
That's okay.
Just sit with the question,
What activities or pursuits make me feel most alive?
Fear is one of the prisons that inhibits us from living authentic,
Full,
And abundant lives.
Roxy Nafusi said,
Fear and doubt disguise themselves as protectors,
But actively block access to the universe's abundance.
Releasing fear unlocks limitless possibilities.
Now I invite you to ask yourself,
What fears or limiting beliefs prevent me from fully embracing and doing what I love?
Observe any doubts,
Worries,
Or resistance.
There's no need to judge them.
Just notice.
What fears or limiting beliefs prevent me from fully embracing and doing what I love?
And now,
One more question.
Let's listen for an invitation.
How can I use my passions as a means of service,
Connection,
And transformation?
Let this question settle into your heart and let the answer come from your heart.
Perhaps a small action,
A tiny step,
Comes to mind.
Or maybe just a feeling,
A pull towards something that matters and definitely comes from your heart.
How can I use my passions as a means of service,
Connection,
And transformation?
I believe that if you ask the question and set the intention to find an answer,
It'll come eventually,
And possibly in unexpected ways.
Just listen for an invitation toward what you love.
Now just take a deep breath in,
And then a long,
Gentle breath out.
Leave your expectations.
Let go of your desires.
Just be.
Bring your awareness back to your body.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.
If your eyes are closed,
Gently open them and return to the space that you're in.
Carry the awareness of doing what you love into your day.
Make space for what you love,
Even in the smallest ways.
Thanks for joining me,
And take good care.
