“In periods of rapid personal change, we pass through life as though we are spellcast. We speak in sentences that end before finishing. We sleep heavily because we need to ask so many questions as we dream alone. We bump into others and feel bashful at recognizing souls so similar to ourselves.” ~ Douglas Coupland

I was amazed to find a quote that so closely mirrored my internal yearnings and heart’s dialogue. Over the past few years, I have come into an awareness of myself as a person undefined by familial roles or society’s expectations. I gradually came to realize that I am the only ‘me’ that was ever made—no other person in the entire universe is as wonderfully woven as I am. And given this miraculous fact, I chose to love myself and my beautiful soul.

Not surprisingly, in learning to love myself, it opened up space for me to love others. And not just love others, but to also have a compassion, empathy and sense of marvel about the internal workings of others. As you begin to listen to the stories of people you meet along life’s road, you learn one important truth—we are more alike than we are different.

Our basic needs for food and shelter are something we all want for our families and ourselves. But once those survival needs are met, we start to look for that ‘something else.’ For some people, they seek material gain only to find that the journey, or its arrival, it not really the ‘something else’ they truly needed or wanted. Others, like me, have sought answers by listening to our souls. Our soul can be defined by the small voice inside of hearts and minds that tells us to do the right thing, to help others, to change the world in some way. And there are many ways that this can be accomplished.

Centering your spirit by defining and loving a power greater than yourself is a good way to start. Many people have found that being a ‘Master of the Universe’ is not all it’s cracked up to be. For one thing, it’s a mighty high distance to fall from the pedestal that you or others have created. Also, once you’ve reached the top, then where do you from there? Allowing yourself to open up to the possibility of a power greater than yourself allows you to have a peace that surpasses understanding, especially knowing that you are in the hands of a force much greater than you can fathom. Also, knowing that your future plans are being unwound exactly as they should–following a plan that surpasses your wildest dreams–can bring you an incredible amount of contentment and encouragement.

Another element of an emerging soul is the earnest desire to know the hearts of others. You find that trite relationships no longer give you the intimacy you crave. You’ll find yourself settling for nothing less than going deep with your relationships. As you open yourself up to others, and they open themselves up to you, you find that kindred spirits and souls have been standing right next to you all along! It’s an awe-inspiring revelation that offers you great comfort and removes the bashfulness you might have carried. Imagine, thousands of emerging souls all over the planet, with open hearts and open minds, ready to love, live and affect change.

Perhaps you have realized that your soul is urging you to emerge, and you don’t know where to start. I recommend that you find a kindred spirit—you can always start with me! Surround yourself with other people who are also coming into the awareness that there’s something more that life holds for them. Their souls are begging them to stop dreaming and start doing.

As an emergent soul, I can tell you that once the internal dialogue starts, it won’t stop until you begin to take action! And once you begin to take action, you will find that something incredible is waiting for you!