Presence.

I finally figured it out. I’ve spent a year wondering: What is my North Star? My purpose? My one thing? It’s honestly been a bit of a struggle at times. Where do I fit now?

What I finally realized (thank you, Elizabeth Gilbert) is that there’s never just one thing. To expect a single purpose to fulfill us, change the world, make an impact, earn income, and sustain us for the rest of our lives… well, that’s a fool’s errand. But in her message—and after a weekend spent with her and Martha Beck last October—I finally understood:

For me, the purpose is helping people see another way. In yoga, we get still and quiet enough to hear the whispers and longings of a more authentic life. Each of us, in our own time, slowly wakes up and turns away from the mundane toward a more awakened way of being. In coaching, I get calls from people ready to leave behind their insecurities and leap into the unknown—often leaving behind comfort and security to follow the shape of their dreams. As a mom and a friend, I’m here, listening and cheering on my kids and loved ones as they discover their passions, gifts, and talents—and I shout from the sidelines, “Just DO it!”

So how does this all fit into my purpose?

What if it’s not about the job or the title or the method—what if what truly matters is that I’m simply here. Maybe my purpose is just to be present and listen to the call of what’s next. What if presence is the light we each have within? The more we tune IN, the brighter those lights get.

My purpose isn’t about making money or doing anything in particular. My purpose is to shine my light by being awake to the moment. That’s it. And suddenly, the ideas of right and wrong, of perfection and needing to do more or be more… they’re gone. There’s peace in knowing that all I have to do is show up, be myself, and answer the call of the moment.

One day I was particularly asking myself, “Could this be it?” And an hour later I saw a woman loading large bags of birdseed into her car. If I’d been stuck in my head, I would’ve walked right by. But I stopped and asked, “May I help you?” She teared up, held my hands, and told me she had just prayed for help—and then I arrived. We both cried. And in that moment, I knew: this presence thing... it's a gateway to something important.

Be. Here. Now.

Of course, it’s harder than it sounds. But here’s one way to begin. This past weekend, I reunited with my Yin and Meditation teachers, Sarah and Ty Powers. The theme was simple: HERE. When our minds wandered away from our bodies (which they will—because that’s what minds do), we gently reminded ourselves: HERE. With unconditional friendliness. As you practice this more and more, it’s not just about sitting in meditation. It begins to show up in everyday life. (If you’ve taken teacher training or the Five Virtues, this is Shamata Meditation.)

Our minds, our hearts, our bodies—they all wander. Presence isn’t about perfection. It’s not about being here 100% of the time. But maybe, just maybe, those little waking moments are the key to something big. Because when I’m truly paying attention, my inner knowing guides me in a beautifully unique way— and I’m able to show up in the world more fully alive.

That is the transformation of consciousness. And honestly—what could be more beautiful than that?