A letter to my boys on the two most important days of their lives:

Hi little ones,

Today I watched the two of you ride tricycles on a farm just down the street from our house. As you scooted around, feet barely touching the ground, I sensed your curious nature and adventurous spirit. On this warm October afternoon, my mind floated around much like the autumn leaves surrounding us, and I drifted into the future, to the person you will be and the places you will go. I wondered what would be your guide as you journeyed through life.

And so, this is my letter to you about this significant journey and the two most important days of your life. Because you may be small now, but you have a big purpose. We all do.

A day will come when you will ask yourself a really big question.

When you hear the question echoing through your head and whispering in your heart, don’t run from it. Don’t ignore it. This question will be the start of your journey, your quest.

You will ask yourself, “what is the purpose of my life?” Let this question ignite your curiosity and your passion. In the words of Joseph Campbell, don’t be afraid to “follow your bliss.“ I want you to go after this bliss, even if you don’t know what that means. Follow it on a journey to find the purpose of your life.

This is the reason you are on this earth.

And during the dark moments, when you are questioning it all, your purpose, your gift, remember the words of Mark Twain’s, “The two most important days in your life are the day that you were born and the day you find out why.”

I’m not saying this journey of pursuing your bliss, your passion, your purpose will be easy or smooth. It will most likely be filled with setbacks, failures, and difficulties. The journey will teach you to be brave and to be humble. You will question your journey as you encounter challenges. You may even battle it out in your heart or in your head, wondering if this is the path for you.

But don’t worry, these road bumps and even road blocks are all there to strengthen you. To allow you to fine tune your talents and skills. To sharpen your knowledge and intuition, teach you to trust yourself, instead of doubt yourself.

You will be tested. Don’t give up on your dream, your purpose.

These road bumps have been there to prepare you all along. Welcome the challenges, they will be your best teachers.

“There is only one way to learn. It’s through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.” ~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.

Speaking of this glorious little gem, I encourage you to read it when you are older, when you are ready. The words will leap off the pages and into your heart. You will be changed forever.

You will ask yourself if it’s the wrong dream, the wrong passion, the wrong bliss along the way. Keep moving. You will be offered the easy way out many times. Many opportunities to settle. Push through. It’s a beautiful dance of being deeply present in this moment to learn the lessons, while ultimately moving in the direction of the dream.

You will also encounter seemingly lucky coincidences. But they are really so much more. The right person may show up at just the right time. The right door will open for you. Look for these signs along your journey. You will have many.

Your bliss, your purpose, your gift was placed their by the Soul of the Universe, the Creator, and the best way you can honor that gift is to give it away to the world. To deny your gift to the world, is to deny love to your soul.

You’ve already had one of the most important days of your life, when you were born. Your second most important day is coming. But for now, you are still my babies, my bliss, riding along on two small bicycles. The world is yours. Don’t be afraid to go out and find your gift, then fill this world with its beauty. You already have everything you need within you.

“The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” ~ David Viscott.

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Author: Dana Wisniewski

Editor: Catherine Monkman

Photo: Author’s Own