Sometimes when someone has been practicing self-development and spiritual principles for a long time, it can come as a shock when great challenges arise.  You are not alone in this experience!

It’s taken your whole life up until now to get to where you are now – you’ve learned habits and established beliefs, some of which serve you and some which you’re now ready to move beyond.  And because you have been experiencing great challenge, take it as a signal that you are working through some “stuff” that has likely been with you a very long time, up until now.  This means that you’re on the right path and the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight!

It’s like cleaning out a closet or a garage that hasn’t been touched in months or years – the stuff has piled up, and it’s time to give it a good scrub.  What happens?  You might fling everything into messy heap in the center of the room as you’re organizing, and often it appears to get worse before it gets better.  And soon, as you work to put everything in its right place, keeping what is of value and discarding what you no longer have use for – you begin to create order from chaos.

When you make a commitment to your personal evolution, and as you clean out your inner space, it’s common to have “stuff” come up and appear to create chaos.  The key is to recognize that this, too, is part of the transformational process.  Rather than reacting – by running away from the “stuff”, trying to suppress it, sedate it, or hide it – acknowledge it.  You have the power to transform it.

In the past you may have reacting instinctively as this “stuff” came up – with anger, fear, sadness, guilt, etc.  Now when the challenge arises, you can recognize the familiar old pattern; you have choice in how to respond.  Even if you choose to react in the old way – the awareness is a crucial step to releasing and transforming the old pattern.

Sometimes when life presents challenges despite your best conscious efforts to the contrary, it might mean that your Highest Self has a grander plan.  Though you couldn’t possibly conceive of consciously choosing to attract certain situations, these challenges create opportunities that can actually serve as initiations into a higher level of awareness, a deeper experience of truth, a more authentic relationship with the world around you.

Search for the gift in this experience.  What else could this mean?  What’s the treasure?  What positive life lesson are you gaining from this experience?  What empowering attribute is being called forth from you now?

Have you ever had a time in the past when something happened that at the time appeared to be the worst thing in the world?  And looking back now, you say, “I would never be who I am today, and I would never be where I am today, were it not for that one thing.”

Breakthroughs are often preceded by “breakdowns.”  So don’t be hard on yourself.  Continue practicing the disciplines and rituals that sustain you – mantra, meditation, empowering questions, affirmations, exercise, self-appreciation – whatever works for you.  And if you have a momentary lapse, just pick yourself right back up and start again.

There are two primary approaches to creating successful and powerful results: one is to commit with total conviction to your goal, and the other is to surrender completely.

Often, we grow up with the belief that to be successful we must create a clear goal, commit to it, and take massive action toward it.  This is an active, masculine approach to getting results.  It works a lot of the time.  But if we commit to this approach and find ourselves thwarted, it may mean that a better option awaits us.

Sometimes, the Universe has something bigger and better for us – grander than we could even imagine with our present awareness.  In these moments, the most powerful choice is just… to surrender completely.

The Universe fills a receptive vessel.  Just look at nature for evidence of this everywhere.  This is the feminine principle – it’s open, expansive, and allowing of the Universal flow.

As you surrender and open yourself up, the Universe will bring you the people, places and things that will support you.  Maintain a sincere and open heart.  The opportunities will present themselves.

Love yourself through this transitional time.  You’ll look back in awe at the quantum leaps in development you’ve made.

Remember…

One person’s awakening elevates the consciousness of the planet – You are the one!

Namaste.

Everyone has unique talents and gifts, including YOU!  I have a very powerful tool that will help you discover and cultivate your talents.

This technique will direct your focus so you begin to become even more aware of your talents.  This process is called, “Empowering Questions.”

I often say that Questions are the Answer. We are constantly in the process of asking and answering our own questions.  Some questions direct our focus toward what we want, while other questions expand on disempowering thoughts.

You can purposefully craft questions that direct your focus toward expanding empowering possibilities.

Here is the simple formula for asking empowering questions:

1)   Begin with “how” or “what.”

2)   Stated in the affirmative or positive.

3)   Build momentum with words like, “even more” or “right now.”

Here are a few empowering questions to help you get started:

• How can I be even more aware of my talents?
• How can I cultivate even more of my gifts and talents, right now?
• How can I acknowledge and appreciate my talents even more?
• How can I share my gifts and talents even more?
• How can I discover even more of my talents?
• What talents am I already aware of?
• What comes naturally to me?
• What do I love doing?
• What do I love about me?
• What can I do to appreciate myself even more right now?

In the beginning, this process may feel a little strange – especially if in the past you had conditioned your brain to believe that you didn’t have any talents.  So if you ask a question like, “what talents am I already aware of?” and your brain says, “nothing!” Then ask yourself, “If there were to be something, what would it be?”  “If I were to have a talent, what would it be?”  “If I were to become aware of a talent right now, what would it be?”  Just keep asking and the answers will come!

Ask yourself these questions every day… even several times a day.  It will cause your brain to look for answers, and empowering answers will come.  It may take some practice, but very soon you will begin to become aware of many of your talents.  You will soon realize that you have all kinds of gifts and talents that you may have overlooked in the past.

As you continually become even more aware of your talents, focus on them.  Notice them.  Appreciate them.  Feed them.  Continually give yourself credit for all the talents you have!

Namaste,

Niurka

Join me and other luminaries for the New York Premiere of Discover the Gift!

THE DISCOVER THE GIFT WORLD PREMIERE EVENT

At The Skirball Center For The Performing Arts, NYU

Hosted by

Michael Bernard Beckwith

In association with Agape International Spiritual Center:

Join us for the World Premiere Event Screening DISCOVER THE GIFT by Demian Lichtenstein & Shajen Joy Aziz to be Hosted by Michael Bernard Beckwith, with a special award presentation and a performance by Ricky BB. There will be a Golden Circle pre-screening reception honoring the esteemed luminaries from the film and a post-screening panel to follow.

Here’s a preview of the evenings festivities

Discover The Gift Event Highlights

Event Details

June 14th, 2011

6:00 Pre-Screening Golden Circle Reception

Kimmel Center  -Eisner & Lubin Auditorium – room 401
60 Washington Square South (enter at 566 LaGuardia Place)
New York, NY 10012

7:00 Premiere Screening Location

Skirball Center for the Performing Arts
60 Washington Square South (enter at 566 LaGuardia Place)
New York, NY 10012

Mandala Art Exhibit

Paul Hassenstamm

Drum Circle

The Gift of Rhythm Drum Circle to perform

Opening Address

Michael Bernard Beckwith

Special Performance

Ricky Byars Beckwith

Introduction, Breathing and Meditation Exercise

Demian Lichtenstein

Screening

97 min

Acknowlegements

Demian, Shajen, Cherif, Maya

Award Presentation

Discover The Gift World Humanitarian Award presented to Michael Bernard Beckwith

Speakers in attendance

Michael Bernard Beckwith

Barbara DeAngelis

Niurka

Rev Sheila Mc Keithen

David ‘Avocado’ Wolfe

John Castagnini

Tickets:

$10 Student

$20 General

$150 Golden Circle – Single

$250 Colden Circle  – Couple

*Golden Circle tickets include a Pre-screening Gourmet Catered Reception, Preferred Seating, and a Gift bag that includes the DISCOVER THE GIFT book and DVD*

Tickets and more info

The Skirball Center For The Performing Arts, NYU

ONLINE
Purchase Discover The Gift World Premier Tickets

BY PHONE
212.352.3101  or  866.811.4111

IN PERSON
NYU Skirball Center
Shagan Box Office 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square
Tuesday-Saturday 12noon-6:00pm and two hours before show time

ABOUT

THE DISCOVER THE GIFT WORLD HUMANITARIAN AWARD is presented to individuals and organizations who have shown an extraordinary commitment to enhancing global communities and/or individuals from a foundation of personal spiritual empowerment, transformation and selfless service. This is the highest honor that we as a global organization who are also committed to the transformation and empowerment of our planet and all who dwell upon her, can bestow.

MICHAEL BERNARD BECKWITH will be presented this award for his service as the founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center, a spiritual Center that is rich in cultural diversity with world wide reach in it’s vision to create a world that works for everyone. For more information on Agape, please visit their website www.agapelive.com

DISCOVER THE GIFT is the remarkable feature-length documentary film, book, and movement created by award-winning filmmaker, Demian Lichtenstein, with his sister, Shajen Joy Aziz, M.Ed. that celebrate the basic but vital reality that there are Gifts in each person, and in all circumstances, that are simply awaiting discovery. The degree to which you nurture, educate, and allow the miracle of your Gift to live is in direct proportion to the degree to which you will experience full self-expression, joy and connectedness.

Framed by the touching personal narrative of siblings Lichtenstein and Aziz DTG describes their journey from tragedy to triumph, as they create a life of joy, power, fulfillment, freedom, and unconditional love. For more information on Discover the Gift please visit www.DISCOVERTHEGIFT.com

NYU SKIRBALL CENTER:

The Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is the premier venue for the presentation of cultural and performing arts events for New York University and lower Manhattan. Led by executive producer Jay Oliva (President Emeritus, NYU) and senior director Michael Harrington, the programs of the Skirball Center reflect NYU’s mission as an international center of scholarship, defined by excellence and innovation and shaped by an intellectually rich and diverse environment. A vital aspect of the Center’s mission is to build young adult audiences for the future of live performance. http://www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu

~~~   What People Are Saying About Discover The Gift   ~~~

“The most important spiritual transformational film on the planet”
–Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator Chicken Soup For the Soul

“Discover The Gift is what people have been waiting for…”
–Richard Cohn, distributor and publisher of “The Secret”

“Discover The Gift is more than just an exquisite and uplifting film—it is a unique, transformational experience that will expand the mind, heart and consciousness

of anyone who sees it. For the first time ever, the inner journey of personal discovery has been captured by a filmmaker and presented with the highest level of mastery and artistry,

resulting in a visual and emotional adventure that should not be missed . We are in a time of great acceleration on the planet, and I believe this film

will help millions of people ask and answer the essential questions: “Who am I, and what am I doing here?” .

‘Discover the Gift’ is a gift for our time. It is to film what Oprah has been to television. It is in perfect alignment with my own work and life mission,

and it is a true honor to be a part of it.”

–Dr. Barbara De Angelis #1 NY Times Bestselling Author and Transformational Teacher

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Five Stars on Amazon.de

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ #1 of the Top 10 Must See Spiritual Growth Documentaries in 2011 “Discover the Gift” is a film that both enlightens and inspires…

Extraordinary Intelligence a popular blog discussing the esoteric, paranormal and spiritual world has included a review of Discover the Gift titled “Discover the Gift: Transform Your Reality,“ noting, “This is a film that plays as a love letter to the human spirit.” Attached is the full text for your reference. Follow this link to see the story & trailer posted online: http://extraordinaryintelligence.com/4856/the-unexplained/discover-the-gift-transform-your-reality/

RADARONLINE News Editor Neil Woulfe has posted the Q&A with Demian noting “Discover the Gift — a  multi-media project on spirituality that includes a new book and a profoundly powerful film, both being released on Tuesday, June 14.” Attached is the clip with full text from the story. Follow this link to see the story & trailer posted online: http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/06/hollywood-director-demian-lichtenstein-discovers-his-true-gift-and-you-can-too

BELIEFNET.COM editor Nell Minow has reviewed Discover the Gift including a Q&A of her interview with Demian and Shajen noting:

“Discover the Gift” is an extraordinary new documentary, book, blog, and CD that reaches from the broadest universal dreams to the most intimate, personal insights, with appearances from powerful lessons from authors, educators, activists, artists, and icons including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Jack Canfield, Janet Attwood, Terry Tillman, David `Avocado` Wolfe, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Mark Victor Hansen, and Niurka and more.

It is the passion project of a brother and sister, filmmaker Demian Lichtenstein and educator Shajen Joy Aziz. Part of the pleasure of speaking to them was the way they brought all they have learned about recognizing and respecting the gifts in others as well as ourselves to the conversation. And it is impossible not to feel privileged by the way they have opened up their own lives as a part of their quest to bring this message to everyone. Follow this link to see the story online à http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/2011/05/interview-the-brother-and-sister-behind-discover-the-gift.html#ixzz1NagAOaoa

Spirit&Destiny magazine, the UK’s top spiritual and lifestyle magazine, with a circulation of 57,842, has included a brief review of Discover the Gift in the May 2011 print issue. Features editor Emily Anderson gave Discover the Gift 5 stars noting:

“This is an inspirational new documentary by award-winning Hollywood film-maker Demian Lichtenstein (who has also directed music videos for Sting and Gloria Estefan, among others) and his sister Shajen Joy Aziz. It debuted to great acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in January this year.

“Discover the Gift follows the siblings’ journeys towards fulfillment, joy and unconditional love, as they reveal that we all have special gifts within us waiting to be awakened and shared. Theirs include storytelling and being visually creative. As well as their own uplifting and heartwarming stories, you’ll be inspired by the wisdom of more than 40 of today’s transformational leaders who share their experiences on finding and working with your gift. This compelling and personal film is sure to be a word-of-mouth winner. Go to www.discoverthegift.com to find out more about the film and its message.”

A deep heartfelt gratitude and blessings to all of you who joined us for the celebration of the Agape premiere of Discover The Gift. So many of you have expressed how deeply moved and touched you were by this extraordinary film. The inspiration generated in the sanctuary last night vividly illuminated the limitless possibility for love to transform planetary consciousness. A huge thank you goes out to my soul brother, producer & director Demian Lichtenstein and his sister Shajen Joy Aziz for offering this immense gift to the world. Another huge thank you to Michael B. Beckwith for creating such a profound container to support the birth of this amazing project.  It was an honor to sit on the panel with other luminaries from the film last night and deeply engage in the inspired conversation that followed.  If you were not able to attend, make it a priority to see this film, purchase the DVD and share this gift with everyone you know.  It will inspire you Living Your Highest Purpose and Materializing your Ultimate Vision in a way that inspires everyone around you to live their purpose and realize their vision too – this is the key to our collective evolution.  To discover the gift for yourself visit www.discoverthegift.com

Hello!

I’m inviting you to join me on March 18, 2011 at Agape International Spiritual Center for a special Premiere screening of the movie, Discover the Gift.  I’m one of the featured experts in this film, and I’m blessed to share the screen with other radiant luminaries including the Dalai Lama, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Marianne Williamson, Jack Canfield, and many other brilliant teachers.

This film is about discovering your own unique gifts and bringing them into the world.  It’s a beautiful journey that will open your heart and bring you even greater awareness of your own power.

Here is the trailer:

I’d love to see you for the premiere of Discover the Gift at Agape.  I’ve included the press release below so you have all the juicy details about how to join me.

Love you!

Niurka

xoxo

DISCOVER THE GIFT

Special Advance Screening at Agape International Spiritual Center

Hosted by Michael Bernard Beckwith

DISCOVER THE GIFT, the internationally acclaimed feature length documentary Starring H.H. The Dalai Lama, Jack Canfield, David ‘Avocado’ Wolfe, Janet Bray Attwood, Niurka, H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Michael Bernard Beckwith to name a few, will be screening at The Agape International Spiritual Center on March 18, 2011.

The event will be a VIP & Celebrity Red Carpet gathering that will include many of the films featured speakers as well as high profile individuals in the Entertainment, Transformation, New Thought & Wellness Communities. The film will be presented By Michael Bernard Beckwith with a panel discussion featuring speakers from the film will be moderated by Pat Finn.

Who
Demian Lichtenstein, Shajen Joy Aziz, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Niurka and Pat Finn with others to be announced

What
Special Screening Event for DISCOVER THE GIFT by Demian Lichtenstein & Shajen Joy Aziz at Agape International to be Hosted by Michael Bernard Beckwith with post screening panel moderated by Pat Finn

When
March 18, 2011
5:30 Press Check in
6:00 Red Carpet and Golden Circle VIP Pre-event Reception
7:00 Doors
7:30 Introduction
8:00 Screening
9:30 Panel

Where
Agape International Spiritual Center
5700 Buckingham Pkwy # 200
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 342-9809

TICKETS
General Admission:
$25 for one ticket or $40 for two tickets

Golden Circle seating and Red Carpet Reception:
$150 for one ticket and $250 for two tickets

PURCHASE TICKETS ON LINE
https://www.agapelive.com/registrations/the_gift

Why
DISCOVER THE GIFT (“DTG”) has been inspiring audiences wherever it screens and the opportunity to bring that inspiration to Los Angeles is a great honor. The Agape International Spiritual Center has been a source of tremendous support and inspiration for so many and will now be the launch pad from which “DTG” will open the hearts and minds of people looking to discover their own gifts.

“DTG” is the remarkable feature-length documentary film, book, and movement created by award-winning filmmaker, Demian Lichtenstein, with his sister, Shajen Joy Aziz, M.Ed. that celebrate the basic but vital reality that there are Gifts in each person, and in all circumstances, that are simply awaiting discovery. The degree to which you nurture, educate, and allow the miracle of your Gift to live is in direct proportion to the degree to which you will experience full self expression, joy and connectedness.

Framed by the touching personal narrative of siblings Lichtenstein and Aziz DTG describes their journey from tragedy to triumph, as they create a life of joy, power, fulfillment, freedom, and unconditional love.

Official Event Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDeyoAe4UcY

More about DISCOVER THE GIFT:
www.DISCOVERTHEGIFT.com

DISCOVER THE GIFT at Agape Event Details:
http://agapelive.com/index.php?page=&anchor=calendar&cal_month=2&cal_year=2011&cal_cat_id=4&sx=0&sy=0&cal_event_id=1887&cal_event_date=1300431600&cal_clipboard_event=

Sponsorship Opportunities Available
For inquiries, please contact:

Cherif Aziz
Director of Marketing
Cherif@eq-ent.com

Eva Di Shanni
Director of Events ☆
Eva@DiscoverTheGift.com

###   ###   ###

Ahhhh….

We just returned from three magnificent days of the Goddess Garden and I am basking in the delicious afterglow.

Wow, what a journey.

We explored the dark lunar realms and unearthed the sticky, gritty limitations to self-love, then burned away those barriers forever.  We pulsed to the rhythm of love, knowingness and bliss, and bathed in the warmth of unconditional love and acceptance.  We explored archetypes and expanded our spectrum to be any and all of it – whatever we choose in the moment.  We liberated our sensuality and feasted in decadence and delight.  Will a strawberry ever taste the same?

We giggled, we wept, we shared, and in sacred sisterhood, we met ourselves in the reflection of each other.  We created the space to carry our own divine Goddess nature into the world, to shine our light and share our presence with our men, women, children and world.  How blessed are we to carry this wisdom into our families, businesses, communities, cultures and world.

As the radiant Goddess, Priestess, Warrior, Lover, Maiden, Mother, Crone, you can be the woman whose example illuminates and inspires all.

And how perfect is it that today is the 100^th Anniversary of International Women’s Day?  Can you imagine a more perfect way to celebrate and empower women than by sharing the experience of the Goddess Garden with everyone?!

Here are a few powerful tools we shared this weekend.  These tools will support you in dropping in to your full expression of the Goddess over the next few days and weeks and months:

• Give yourself a salt bath and love yourself up!  Savor your body and open your senses.  Imagine a white light of love, knowingness and bliss pulsing throughout every cell in your being.
• Practice meditation.  You can ground yourself with a cord from your root chakra into the center of the Earth and imagine a big, gold sun of your own Divine essence pouring in through your crown chakra and filling you up with your own magnificence.
• Amplify your senses!  Any time you eat, take a moment to fully experience your food – the way it looks, the way it smells, the way it feels in your mouth and on your tongue, the way it tastes, the sound as you crunch or chew or swallow.
• Look deeply into someone’s eyes and let them know how much you love and appreciate them.  Drop in and be present.
• Play with the archetypes.  How does the Goddess Venus move her body?  How does the Empress hold herself?  What other archetypes will you choose to explore and expand in your own repertoire?  You may even want to play dress up and have fun exaggerating each archetype so you recognize the distinctions.  This allows you the awareness to fully own those attributes in a way that becomes natural to you.

As a result of the love, connection and bliss we experienced this weekend, I am deeply inspired to share the experience of Goddess Garden with even more glorious women!  I’m looking at my calendar to schedule the next one, so come join me.

Loving you.

Niurka

Namaste.

Have you ever been sooooo happy you feel like your whole body is tingling with joy? Like you have this massive, infectious smile and a deep sense of bliss that permeates everything you do? It’s like you completely lose awareness of pain or problems because you’re in an elevated state of existence… you can easily find a clear path through or around any challenge because in this state of bliss you have an expanded perception of possibility and solutions instantly reveal themselves.

If you could bottle and sell that feeling, I bet you’d be the richest person on the planet. But it’s not for sale, and you can’t contain it. But it is available to anyone. In fact, it’s available to YOU, now. Do you believe it’s possible?

I have one simple, daily ritual that can make that dream a reality; but first I’ll share a quick story that illuminates how I’ve come to know first-hand the amazing benefits of this daily discipline.

It’s mantra…

As you may know, I recently returned from a nine-week sacred journey in Bali, and while I was there I became even more passionate about the practice of mantra. I’ve practiced mantra for over 15 years, and while in Bali I had the opportunity to more deeply explore its profound benefits. Now I practice mantra as a daily, walking meditation. Rather than listening to some mindless chatter in my mind, I focus my thoughts on mantra, singing and reciting silently or in a whisper to myself all day, every day. I’ve noticed that as a result, all my senses are brighter and more attuned – fruit tastes juicier and sweeter, the air feels fresher and clearer, sounds are crisper, and I experience my connections with people as more genuine. The more I practice mantra, the more I notice that in the moments between my mantra, my inner voice says, “I am SOOOO happy!” I’m even surprised by my own level of joy and inner peace!

Here’s how you can experience this, too:

You know that little voice in your head that seems to be in constant chatter? Well, the mind is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master: it can support you or bring you down, and it’s up to you to direct it purposefully. Mantra allows you to purposefully direct the mind. When you join me on Thursday, I’ll give you a specific mantra to use that will invoke the certain state you wish to experience (compassion, power, prosperity, inner peace). Anytime you hear that little voice in your head piping up, you can just return to your mantra. I promise that if you practice this solidly for a week, it will be as though the lights turned on in your brain and possibilities reveal themselves instantly. Your friends and family will also be uplifted, just by being in the orbit of your heightened frequency.

I’ve been so deeply moved by gifts I’ve discovered through my practice of mantra that I’m currently recording an entire series of mantras so you can learn about them and practice them, too. They’ll be ready in a few months, and I’ll let you know as soon as they’re available.

And remember…

When you change, the world around you changes – You have that much power!

Blessings & Love,
Niurka

What if one simple practice could immediately harmonize your thoughts, words and actions while creating centered concentration so you materialize your desires in alignment with your purpose?

I’ve just returned from a two-month sacred adventure in Bali, and I’ve gained even greater insight into one specific discipline that has the power to elevate every area of your life when practiced consistently.  I’ve experienced exponential results by practicing it in my own life – even in the last two months, and I’d be honored to share this wisdom with you.  So what is it?

It’s Mantra.  For thousands of years, ancient Sanskrit mantras have been chanted, spoken and sung to clear the mind, invoke powerful states and manifestations, and invite union with the Divine.  Why mantra?

Everything in the universe is energy vibrating.  Our thoughts, words and actions carry specific energetic vibrations that either elevate us, or bring us down.  Mantra is a simple practice to consistently harmonize our thoughts, words and actions and elevate our entire experience.

You can practice mantra anytime.  You can chant or sing aloud or silently to yourself.  It will release you from wayward thoughts, bring your awareness to the present moment, and give you the focus and concentration to realize peace and materialize prosperity.  If you’ve never practiced mantra before, just start with “Om.”  Breathe deeply, and as you exhale, say OOOOMM.

I’ve been practicing mantras for over fifteen years, and in the past two months, I’ve practiced mantra all day every day.  I’m now experiencing the most profound centeredness, divine joy and divine peace.  It doesn’t matter what your background or religious beliefs may be… mantra works!
Remember…

One person’s awakening elevates the consciousness of the planet — YOU are the one!

A personal challenge to innovate in a rapidly changing environment

As human beings we have an instinctive drive to innovate, evolve and improve, to make things faster, smarter, easier and better; and with technology we are exponentially expanding the scope of what’s possible. But even as new opportunities arise, many people find their old jobs obsolete or changing and their skill sets ready for an overhaul. Now, more than ever, it is essential to be clear about what specifically is most important to you and how you choose to express your purpose through your life’s work.

Most people identify strongly with their occupation. One of the most common questions when strangers meet is What do you do? So as careers shift, it can influence self-perception. Work is a way to express purpose and contribute to society; and when a seemingly solid foundation of a career shifts, it can often lead to serious self-reflection or even an identity crisis. We begin asking the timeless questions about our essence, purpose and mission: Who am I? What is my purpose? How do I fulfill it?

Continual Learning
How do we innovate ourselves—not only to keep up with rapid technological advances and a shifting economy, but to direct the course of the progress toward our vision for the future? How do we align our thoughts, words and actions to manifest our destiny? How do we develop our own inner being so that in any environment we recognize, articulate and exemplify our purpose while expressing our gifts and talents in a way that creates value for others and prosperity for ourselves?

You will find the answers when you make conscientious choices based on what is essential—not what is necessary or required, but what is of your essence: who you are and who you choose to be. You have all the resources you need within you now; with imagination, innovation and purposeful action you can create your life by design.

As Einstein said, imagination is more important than knowledge—knowledge will provide a valuable foundation, but imagination allows you to go beyond what was previously believed possible while you lead the direction of your growth. Education and self-development become a lifelong commitment. You’re continually growing and adapting as you shape your experience in alignment with your vision and purpose.

When I was 19, Jim Rohn told me, “Work on yourself harder than you work on your job. If you work on your job, you’ll make a living; but if you work on yourself, you’ll make a fortune and build an incredible life.” He recognized that innovation from the inside influences everything else. With innovation, you can purposefully shape the future.

Who do you Choose to be?
Rather than coasting the waves of change and allowing the tide to drag you where it will—declare your intention and choose your role. One of my favorite questions is: Who do you choose to be in this life? What is your grandest vision for the future? Can you picture it? How will you contribute to make that dream a reality? How will it feel when you get there? Out of infinite possibilities, you have the freedom to choose and the power to create your life by design.

We each have the power to reinvent outdated self-perceptions that no longer serve us and return to the essence of who we are in relation to our life’s work. We can choose an identity based not on what we do but on who we are. Rather than defining work by position, tasks and responsibilities, we can define our roles by the creative contribution we offer and the fulfillment we receive from bringing value to others and ourselves. Work becomes an extension of spirit and an expression of individual gifts and talents; it’s what you’re passionate about—what you love to do, rather than what you have to do.

But even though everyone has a genius inside, just waiting for the right conditions to shine, most people along the way have been taught to compromise dreams and conform to “reality.” Reality is not hard and static—it’s ever changing; the seemingly impossible is absolutely possible with the right combustion of creativity, innovation, clarity of vision and commitment. When you follow your inner guidance and allow your passion and creativity to flow uncensored, you will be led to fulfill your mission and purpose. Let your inner genius emerge!

To thrive and prosper in a changing environment while creating a career that is an extension of your passion and purpose, here are my suggestions:

1) Know Thyself. Answer the question, “who am I?” honestly and completely. What is at your core? What’s most important to you in life? What can you not live without? What is essential? Throughout your life, what has remained the intrinsic elements that define and drive you—beyond jobs, beliefs, relationships, history and any additional stories and identities that have been piled on throughout the years? Who are you in essence? What makes you unique? What ignites your passion? In what way do you reveal your inner genius? These are the qualities that you will express wherever you go. Your purpose and mission will emanate from this essence.

2) Define Your Purpose. Purpose is your reason for being—the grand vision you are here to discover and materialize as your life unfolds. Purpose answers the question, “why am I here?” It’s your North Star—the bright light that guides and directs you as you explore possibilities and live your mission. When you make choices grounded in your essence, you reveal and refine your purpose. What is your unique contribution to the world? Look to your life history for clues: if you string together the defining moments of your life, they will often point to a theme or a definite calling. Follow that thread. Some people are aware of their purpose from a young age, while others discover it piece by piece.

3) Live Your Mission. Your mission is purpose in action—it’s how you express your purpose through what you do. You live your mission by expressing your essence consistently through the choices you make. Through your mission, you answer the question, “How can I serve?” How will you create the life you envision? How will your creations influence the world around you? What will you give? How specifically will you express the grandeur of who you are through your words and deeds in accordance with your purpose? When you live your mission, you direct the course of change and innovation because it flows from your purpose and essence.

When you define your purpose and live it through your mission, you have personal power. You won’t be thrown around by the currents because your livelihood and sense of self isn’t tied to a job or position; instead it unfolds from the essence of who you are and who you choose to be. That’s real success: when your thoughts, words and actions are aligned with your purpose and you live from that space of inner harmony, congruency and total power.

Greetings & Blessings from the land of 1,000 Temples!  I am so blessed to be in Bali enjoying a sacred retreat, creative sabbatical, and a time of healing and rejuvenation after a period of great intensity in my life.

You may already know that a few months ago, I broke my leg.  It was the most physically painful experience I’d ever had, and looking back, also perhaps one of the most profound.

Have you ever had an experience like that?  Looking back, you say, “I would never be where I am today or who I am today were it not for that one thing,” but at the time, that “thing” was one of the most painful or challenging experience imaginable.

Sometimes life brings lessons disguised as seeming madness.  These moments cause us to go deep within and really connect with our true essence.

So what do you do to maintain your balance in those moments? I’ll share with you one practice that has been miraculous for me. It’s been so healing that I’m considering creating a CD all about it, and in a moment, I’ll ask you for your thoughts!

Over the past few months, one discipline that has supported me in remaining in my center while gracefully moving through challenge is the practice of Mantra.  Since I’ve come to Bali, I’ve been practicing a few specific mantras consistently and I have experienced great inspiration, renewed energy and deep peace.  And because it’s been so powerful and healing for me, I thought you might love to experience some of the profound benefits of mantra, too.

Ancient Sanskrit mantras have been chanted, spoken and sung for thousands of years.  These mantras are imbued with a certain energetic frequency, and thus have the power to shift your internal experience when you repeat them with sincerity.  For example, the mantra “OM” (or “AUM”) is powerful to center yourself.  As you chant “OM”, remember to honor the space between the “OM’s.”

What practices do you have to support you in integrating valuable life lessons while consciously and gracefully moving through the most challenging moments of your life?  I’ve found that in the absence of a consistent PRACTICE, it’s easy to get sidetracked and knocked off center.  It’s much easier to remain clear, strong, focused and present when you practice a daily discipline.  It doesn’t matter what it is – whatever works for you!  It could be meditation, prayer, mantra, physical exercise, or just a daily ritual all your own – as long as you practice with awareness, specific intention and consistency.

So I encourage you to practice the “OM” mantra, or another mantra you may already know.  Practice it for one day and notice the power, observe the effects!  If an unpleasant thought pops into your mind, just immediately return to your mantra.  Throughout the day, just repeat it silently to yourself. Challenge yourself and practice a whole week of mantra, and notice how you feel.

I’d love to know your experience.  In fact, I’ve experience such profound benefits that I’m considering creating a CD series about the power of mantra while I’m in Bali.  Here are my thoughts on this: I can share with you a few of the most significant mantras that I practice, and I’ll explain their meaning and the scientific reasons why and how they have elevated my life and how they can elevate your life, too.  I can also teach you how to practice mantra, and guide you through the process.  What do you think?  I’m very interested in your thoughts about mantra.  How inspired would you be if I created this CD series?    And what else would you be inspired for me to create?  Let me know your thoughts, and join the conversation!

Remember…

When you change, the world around you changes – You have that much power!

Love & Blessings,
Niurka