Bring Forth What’s Within You
“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you; if you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”
-Gnostic Gospel of Thomas
I’ve been reading a good book that quoted that line. (The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope) It’s all about living your life’s purpose, an idea I’m borderline obsessed with. This quote specifically intrigues me. It’s the kind of quote that seems highlighted, though nothing about the text is any different.
I think because you can feel how true it is. At least, I can. So could Stephen Cope since he mentions it in the book. I think you can sense how important it is too. Life or death kind of important. If you take what the quote says as truth, we’re talking about you having the power within you to save, or destroy yourself.
Now, I don’t think you’ll explode into a ball of flames. That would have made the news by now if it was happening. But I do think there is more than one way to destroy your life. And I bet you already have an inkling of what that could look like for you. Let’s see if we can break it down a little.
First Things First
Going through that first part (because I’m orderly like that) means looking at what is within you, and how it can save you. What IS within you? A lot of things I’m willing to bet. But more specifically, what’s in you that can literally save your life?
Everyone will have their own answer to that question. That flame within will come in different forms. It’s the thing that lights you up. The thing you lose yourself in. Have you ever lost track of time doing something? Or felt so in the flow that it felt like you were right where you were meant to be?
That’s the thing within you. For me, I think it’s writing, or maybe coaching/speaking. But writing was my first experience with something like that. Where I lost track of time and let it flow from the heavens onto the page. I was channeling the divine. At least, that’s what it felt like to me.
It also feels like being me. Like the most pure version of myself. It’s as if I’m allowing myself to be the most me I’ve ever been. That might sound bananas if you’ve never experienced something like it.
Some people might feel that way when teaching, building houses, putting out fires, parenting, or any number of things. Don’t judge yours. There is no better or worse thing. Each of us was given a different mission in life, different gifts to bring forth into the world.
It’s not always the thing that comes easy to you. While writing in a sense comes easy to me, it can also be incredibly difficult and painful. I can string some words together fast enough. But if I want to make them mean something, I have to dig a little deeper. Translating the writing on my soul into tangible words can be exhausting. Sometimes it takes a few attempts to get it out.
You have to be willing to suffer for it sometimes. Which sounds kind of counterproductive. It’s hard but it makes me feel alive. It’s hard but it gives me divine purpose. It’s hard but it makes me happy. Life is full of little oxymorons like that.
This isn’t like an abusive lover you continuously go back to. This is more like a lover that challenges you. One that is hard on you because they have faith in you, they know what you’re made of. Sometimes that might feel like too much and make you want to run away. But you come back because there’s something great there, even though it’s not easy. That’s what it’s like.
How It Saves You
Maybe you have an idea of what your thing is. Maybe you don’t yet. (In that case, keep trying different things and pay attention to how you feel). But how does knowing what this thing is save you?
Well, for one, it is the gift you were sent here to share with the world. You’re literally supposed to do this thing. And when you do it, your life will be better. And it helps other people somehow.
When I write, I am a happier human. Not just because I get to do something I enjoy, but because there is a sense of rightness about it. And when you’re following that rightness, things in your life line up.
When I’m writing I learn things about myself and life. It draws me to others, or others to me. It leads me down rabbit holes where lessons are learned or people I’m supposed to meet are lingering.
When my mom died, I wrote a book about grieving the loss of difficult relationships. I got to know her through that book, way better than I had known her in life. It’s like the information was in my head but I hadn’t accessed it. That book saved me from my grief. The writing saved me.
And now that book is out in the world saving others. That’s my contribution to the healing of the world. I want to help others that have gone through what I went through. Writing is my way of doing that, my gift to share with the world.
Maybe you remember a hard time you’ve gone through. What saved you? Where could the spark of joy be found in the storm? The thing that helped get you through?
Or the thing that you do that helps others get through? That could be your gift too.
If You Refuse
Maybe you don’t think you have a gift (you do). Or maybe you don’t want to do the thing you know you’re meant to do. Maybe it scares you, you have a list of reasons why you can’t, why it won’t work, or you’re not good enough.
What does doing it save you from anyway?
There is more than one way to die. And some people die on the inside long before their bodies die on the outside. Maybe you know someone that fits that description. I do.
A person with no purpose. A person who has no real desire to keep living. Why would they? They’re miserable, depressed, feel like it’s all pointless. The light that comes from that gift-fire, isn’t shining in them. No light. No energy for life.
It’ll start slow and get worse and worse. That’s what using your gift saves you from.
You hear the call and you ignore it. It starts to eat away at you from the inside while you try to stuff it down. It gets louder and louder, so you numb out more and more.
Maybe you start drinking, smoking, overworking, obsessively taking care of everyone around you, or anything to keep yourself from feeling the call. You’ll feel bad about not doing that thing, even if it’s subconscious. Something will just feel as if it’s not enough.
You’ll make choices that aren’t good for you in an attempt to drown it out. You’re running away in the wrong direction. And the wrong direction is full of wrong turns, one-way streets, and road construction. You’re making your life harder because you aren’t following the path God wants you to follow.
You’ll end up resenting your own life, mourning the path never traveled. You’ll live a life you don’t love. And that’s the bottom line right there. You could live a life you love, that lights you up, if only you use the gifts you’ve been given.
It’s Simple
It really is that easy. Follow the breadcrumbs of the things that light you up.
If it feels confusing, follow the joy. Do things that are making you happy. That’s a really good place to start. What makes you happy? What brings you joy?
Start looking for what lights you up and do more of it. It doesn’t have to be your full-time job. This can be part of your job, or something you do on the side.
Stephen gave an example in his book of a woman who thought she didn’t have a gift. But she was already using it in her life and job. Her gift was giving to others, being generous, helping. She did that at work and home. That was her gift.
Your gift can be part of your day job, or not at all. There are no rules here, other than doing the thing you’re meant to do in some form so you don’t combust into a ball of flames. Just kidding. But doing the thing so you can live a life you love.
So many people out there don’t even like their lives, much less love them. All the while everyone can live a life they’re excited about. You can be excited about your life.
You’re never too far down the wrong path to change direction. Turn around. You’ll start seeing all the best routes that way. Things will work out and feel good. That’s how you know you’re on the right path.
You can do this. I believe in you.
If you want to check out the Podcast I co-host, go here:
Growing Up for Adults on Spotify
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And check out the books I authored here:
How to Be Friends with Your Ex
Thanks so much for reading today. I love you and want all the best for you.
