Last week I was swimming in Coffs Creek against the outgoing current with my googles on, my head down and my bum up. I looked over to the bank where Ranger (my dog) was getting out and just as I turned back I happened to see a syringe floating past me. I grabbed it and was horrified to see an intact needle.

I immediately got out, carried the syringe in one hand and my gear in the other and walked along the dog beach to the carpark at North Wall. I put the syringe in the bin and drove straight to the Coffs pool to finish my swim. Ranger begrudgingly sat in the car with a water bowl and the windows down. (Thought I best mention that in case you were wondering what happened to the dog!)

Last Saturday when I read the local paper (the above pic was from the paper), I was completely disgusted to find out that I had been swimming in the creek on the very day that it had been polluted by a burst sewerage pipe! Yuk!

The burst sewerage pipe was scary, but I was more disturbed by the syringe because I assumed that someone had been using it to take drugs. When I imagined the user and the life they were living I was not angry at them for discarding their needle irresponsibly (how can we expect a drug user to love and respect nature when they are unable to love and respect them self!) instead, I was sad for them. Sad that they were unlikely to make the difference on Earth they were born to make.

I believe that life is purposeful. I believe that every single human being is here on Earth for a unique reason that only we can fulfil. No one else can take our place or do what we are here to do in the exact same way. The drug user is not doing their thing which means the rest of us miss out on the benefits of their gift and they miss out on the joy and contentment of sharing their purpose. What if their unique life purpose was to clean up the waterways?

It’s not only drug users who are not doing their thing though is it? It’s you and me as well! I know my thing (teaching Sparky and Shady) but I also know I’ve been holding back. So why aren’t we all making the difference on Earth we were born to make?

Answer is – we are scared of our potential!

Deep in our hearts we all know we are way more incredible and have way more to give then we can possibly comprehend. It’s exactly what Marianne Williamson is talking about in her poem…

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
‘A Return To Love’ (1992) by Marianne Williamson

But that’s where the conundrum lies… we innately know we are great, we innately know we are here for a reason but how the bloody hell do we go about ‘being great’ and finding our unique way to shine?

Most of us try, we definitely have a go, but failure, rejection, judgement, ridicule and or financial hardship pull us back into ‘reality’. Then Shady says, ‘You had a go, it didn’t work be grateful for what you’ve got!’

Sorry Shady, it’s not that easy.

Human beings are designed for greatness, we collectively have the potential to live harmoniously with each other and the planet and to bliss out in the process! If I give up, if I settle for less than I am then everyone loses the benefit of my gift and I will never be truly fulfilled, peaceful and content.

That’s alright for me to say because I know my thing. What about you? Do you know what your thing is? If ‘yes’ great! If ‘no’ then how do you find it?

I’ve recently read Joseph Murphy’s ‘The Power of Your Subconscious Mind’ again and was reminded of the importance of communicating with Sparky (he calls it “the glory of God that is within you”). If you don’t know what your thing is, then ask!

Joseph Murphy suggests saying, “The infinite intelligence of my subconscious mind reveals to me my true place in life.” Then he goes on to say, “Repeat this prayer quietly, positively and lovingly to your deeper mind. As you persist with faith and confidence, the answer will come to you as a feeling, a hunch, or a tendency in a certain direction. It will come to you clearly and in peace, as an inner silent awareness.”

In Sparky and Shady speak, ask Sparky, “What’s my unique life purpose? What’s my thing?”

Whatever you just felt, heard, saw, thought or got (or will get) has effectively put you on the road to your unique life purpose!

Being great and fulfilling our unique life purpose is a journey. We don’t have to know exactly what our thing is to know we are on the right road and we don’t need to rush the process by quitting our day job, selling the house, moving overseas, enrolling in a course or whatever Shady demands we do – right now!

Life is not a race, it can’t be because we are all on different roads.

It’s my Shady who says I’ve been holding back. Sparky says, “You are exactly where are you are supposed to be right now, learning what you need for the rest of your journey.”

Fulfilment, peace and contentment can be enjoyed on your journey. It’s as simple as taking time out to be grateful, taking time out to acknowledge that you have found the right road and even though you may be nowhere near your final destination you know and trust that your Sparky will help you get there!

Each of us are here on the planet to do something great! To give something to others or nature that will make the world a better place. When we listen to Sparky and give our love, share our gifts, follow our dreams, find the road to our unique ‘thing’ on the planet the last thing we are going to do is shoot up drugs and throw our syringe into the creek!

Enjoy your thing!

Love Kathy