As red-hot rocks were brought in to lodge to create heat and steam for ceremony I began saying to myself, ‘I am safe within womb of mother, I am safe within womb of mother’. I repeated this spontaneous chant over and over as I tried to center and calm myself in rising heat.

When I heard what I was saying to myself I also became aware of a loud voice churning up from depth of my being that shouted, “No, you are NOT safe!”

A flood of memories suddenly washed over me and I remembered what my mother told me about my own birth. She shared that she was terrified when she was giving birth to me.

As if struck by lightening I realized that fear I was experiencing in lodge and in most of my life was not my fear at all. It was my mothers fear. I learned to take on my mothers fear as if it were my own. I also became aware of a bigger part of me that isn’t afraid at all and feels quite confident and at ease in world.

As I later processed what I had created in that sweat lodge I embraced this very profound and life changing lesson.

Here are 4 questions based on Life on Purpose Institute’s Purpose Process to discover if your life is being shaped by thoughts and feelings that limit your wholeness and expression of who you truly are.

1. Are your thoughts often fearful and based in need to survive? 2. Do you sometimes feel unfulfilled and unsatisfied? 3. Do you often say to yourself or others “that’s just way I am”? 4. Do you eventually default back to limiting thinking even when things are going well?

What would your life be like if you learned to embrace those loud, limiting voices, yet not be controlled by them? What if you chose to listen and respond to your true voice instead? Your life would be more relaxed, more in flow. You might finally live your dreams and feel fulfillment and deep satisfaction that is possible when you are living true to who you are. You could walk in sunshine and count your blessings in peace.

It’s your life…imagine possibilities!

3. Career dissatisfaction You open your eyes on a new day…. Are you excited to meet your world and express yourself? We spend a significant part of our time at “work”. Finding your true-life purpose ends feeling like you are dragging yourself through your life.

4. Scarcity thinking This is a big one. Do you feel like most of your energy goes into surviving and feeling like there’s never enough time, money, etc.? The universe is abundant and provides for you. There is an unlimited supply! You can shift your perspective and attract what you want in your life.

5. Not getting your basic needs met Let’s get down to basics. How well do you take care of yourself? This is really important. On an airline flight you are instructed to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. This makes good sense. How can you really serve others if your own needs aren’t met? Deal with your own unmet needs once and for all.

6. The things you’re putting up with What are you tolerating that continues to drain your energy? Tolerating is different than being flexible. Take a good look at areas in your life where you feel frustrated. Consider possibility that what you “put up with” maybe draining energy that you could be using to live a happier life!

Start clearing gunk from your drain, and you'll experience more energy, more passion and a life that flows. You'll more easily be able to take action and create a satisfying and fulfilling life. If you need some help, consider a plumber (or maybe your own personal coach).

It’s your life… Imagine possibilities!