What Does Your Higher-Self Declare As Your Soul Purpose?

I don’t know who is in your breakfast club, but I've been starting my winter mornings with Anne and Frances, the hosts of Fixable podcast.

If you haven’t heard of these two Earth Angels, I highly recommend tuning into any of their content. I listen to them every morning with my hot cup of mushroom coffee (big fan of medicinal fungi in this household). Not only do these women have voices like butter (and excellent microphones—making it much easier to pretend they are at the kitchen counter chatting with me IRL), they have a beautiful way of thinking about the world. They often break down the science and art of exponentiating human potential and cultivating positive organizational ecosystems. Everything that comes out of their mouths challenges the status quo. Can I get a collective hurrah?!

They recently posted about this episode on LinkedIn and I noticed that the air date was 9/23/24. Even though my birthday is 9/24, my angel number the past two years has been 9/23. For that reason, I tuned in immediately.

In this episode, Anne suggests making a list of all the things you enjoy doing—activities that "light you up" (her phrase) infuse you with zest, vibrancy, and “turns you on,” so to speak (my phrase). She says to go through the list and reflect on where you are truly “World Class.” I think of it as if there were an Olympic arena for your gifts, which would you pick to play on a global stage, confident you can get the gold.

The point of the exercise is to go deeper into your strengths and then ask the question: who could benefit from your gifts and want to pay you for them? I love this thought exercise for anyone, even if they aren’t actively job searching! I may have some of my own clients try this out, especially those who are struggling to identify their soul-signature gifts.

I also love this exercise because it brings an element of humanness that can get lost in resumes and cover letters. And at a time when it feels like the soul is being sucked out of our country, and we're forced to become corporate drones, bowing to the regime, it's a good reminder that you are not powerless as those at the top are making it seem. You have agency, gifts, strengths, and wisdom that can change, save, and empower lives. AND these strengths are worthy of compensation. If there were ever a time to set aside our belief that chasing wealth and hearty salaries for our work is selfish, or that we're unworthy of more money - it's now. Money needs to get into the hands of more soulful, heart-centered people. Because even if you don't have altruistic goals of using your wealth to start social justice movements or grassroot organizations (though if you do - hi, hello, let's be friends and smash the oligarchy), a good heart with cash in the bank intrinsically and organically elevates the lives of others through ripple effect. Money doesn't change who you are at your core. Money amplifies who you are at your core. If you only take care of yourself with your money, AND you're a kind person, money just makes you kinder. Outside of survival mode (a result of abundance), as a good person, you will shine brighter. You offer more love, smiles, and generosity of spirit to those you interact with. The transference of that positive energy is impactful, whether you see its effects or not.

So say it with me: I have soul-signature gifts that are worthy of massive compensation.

I did this strengths-discovery exercise myself—twice! I added a spiritual spin the second time because we’re pretty woo in this household as well (as if the mushroom coffee didn’t give that away). I really wanted to get deep and one of my favorite ways to do anything corporate-related is to bring in my intuition and work through the problem or the activitity in the vibration of my best and most badass self.

For my first round, I free-wrote. The second time, I channeled my higher-self to be a part of this conversation. Here’s how it went:

First round:

These are my first five gifts that I think would at least be worthy of a letterman jacket:

1. Writing

2. Cheerleading, motivating, beaming someone else up, coaching, holding space for the hardships of someone’s life

3. Creating, directing, filling a mundane or serious task with love, fun, and zest

4. Teaching, instructing on a topic I am well-versed in

5. Learning about soul theory, spirituality, and quantum mechanics

Second round:

Dear Higher-Self Paris, Lavender Queen Paris, the version of myself who is more fully realized, in her divine feminine energy and flourishing in her soul purpose:

What do you want to reveal to me about my strengths? What gifts do I have that aren’t on this list or are deeper than this list? What gifts can be leveraged to provide even more abundance and satisfaction in my life? (Satisfaction is my “self-theme” in Human Design—it’s the emotion I feel when I am in alignment.)

Note: Remember, when we’re talking about the spiritual laws of the universe, you have access to guidance always. But you must invite it in. If this is your first time chatting with your higher-self, think of it as writing stream of consciousness. Don't try to edit what flows through you, just keep writing!

I invite you to write through me.

Here we go. (Record scratches and Lavender Haze begins to blare.)

My lavender queen!!!! I’m so excited you decided to reach out. Your strengths are infinite and cannot be reduced to a list. However, for the purpose of this post, let me tell you what your biggest gift is: love. We’ve been here before. We’ve had this conversation before. But this is a different context. Love has many forms, and one of the rarest is love that sits with the shadows with comfort and ease.

A love that isn’t dimmed by any means but whose sheer presence makes the shadows feel safe to exist. The shadows (fear, shame, guilt, grief) don’t want or need a savior. They don't want to be rescued. They want to be acknowledged. You know how to offer that kind of love. A love that is gentle and says "I see you. I'm going to shine a soft, warm light around you, so you too can see that it's not so scary here."

Everyone has thoughts, emotions, past history, and ickiness that they prefer to keep under lock and key. But your gift is the ability to show people how lovable they are. Trauma wounds and all.

The antidote to shame is vulnerability. You yourself have sat with Shame (Shame, Fear, Guilt, Grief, Disbelief etc.) and called her by name. And by doing so, Vulnerability also has a seat on this metaphorical couch. Your Vulnerability exists to hold Shame’s hand and it's a beautiful example for others. People watch and wonder “Could I befriend my Shame too?"

Thank you. What am I here to do?

1. Love and be loved

2. Storytell

3. Break the rules of how it’s always been done

4. Exemplify the comfort of exploring one’s shadows

5. Design a vision of the future and a strategy to bridge the gap between now and then

Thank you, Lavender Paris!

I see how these two lists are similar and how they are also different! I also see why I'm in Change Management and Transformation business! :)

If you do this exercise, I would love to know what your conscious brain writes about your strengths, what your higher-self declares as your purpose, and how they connect!

Thank you to Anne and Frances for such powerful exercise.