Sometimes the signposts that re-direct our lives come in unexpected ways. We always have a choice – to acknowledge and follow those signs, or to ignore them because they don’t fit in with our “plan.” Especially when it comes to discovering our ultimate purpose in life, it’s never too early to pay attention and change the game plan.
Why wait until you’ve spent 30 years in the wrong job to discover what the universe has been trying to tell you?
I truly believe that we’re constantly being sent messages to guide us on our path, and we just have to look for them to know what our path is.
Sometimes these signs come in disguised packages.
One of the things I’m most grateful for in my life is that I discovered Ayurveda when I was 22 years old. Though I had planned to do community development work in South Africa, my life took a turn when I became introduced to Ayurveda through The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. Vasant Lad.
Here’s the juicy story:
I went back to the book store to get a second Ayurveda book and there was a flyer up that Dr. Lad would be in town the following week to talk about Ayurveda.
I went to the lecture and almost immediately knew that this is what I would end up doing with my life. It was just a feeling. But it wasn’t for sure – yet.
Since Ayurveda school was such a drastic shift in plans, in my family’s expectations, and in my perception of myself, I ruminated on this for a long time.
Then I heard in our weekly small-town newspaper that David Carson, author of The Medicine Cards, would be in town doing Native American shamanic readings. I had never done anything like that before, but I knew I needed some guidance, so I signed up.
I sat down for the reading not knowing what to expect. At first glance, David is one of the most unlikely shamans you’ll ever meet. He just didn’t fit my preconception of what a Native American medicine man would look like!
He instructed me to ask a question as he laid out the cards.
“Should I move to Albuquerque?” was all I asked.
He explained the positions and the meanings of the cards and he drummed while I journeyed inward, but I didn’t really get what it was all about.
I thought I was just too left-brain to get it.
After the reading, David said, “So by the way, why are you thinking of moving to Albuquerque?”
“To study medicine from India with a doctor there.” I replied.
“Oh, at the Ayurvedic Institute with Dr. Lad?” he asked.
“Uh, yeah. How do you know about it?” I said, totally shocked.
“Because I live in Albuquerque, and my daughter is starting school there. You should come and you can stay with her and you two will be great friends!” David stated.
I started crying. I was overwhelmed by grace and synchronicity.
The answer I was looking for wasn’t in the cards, it was in the meeting.
Needless to say, that was the clincher. I moved to Albuquerque, his daughter became my dear friend to this day, and my life with Ayurveda began.
I guess the point of telling this story is that when you’re on your true path, everything falls into place to propel you in that direction.
But if your eyes and mind are closed because you’re attached to things being a certain way, you will miss out on your greatest gift.
It’s hard for me to admit that I see my own father in his “golden years” without ever having lived his dream because he never even considered that his passion also could be his career.
He never heard it was an option.
Because of my experience as a child growing up in a home where my Dad disliked his work every day, I was determined to make a career out of what I loved.
The way Ayurveda came to me actually left me little choice!
What signs led you to your path?
Did you have to change your preconceived game plan to align with your ultimate purpose?
Share your story in the comments below and you’ll inspire others to follow their passion!