We all have it—a powerful source at the core of our being. It’s the essence of who we are, the driving force behind our purpose, passion, and authenticity. Some might call it their soul, their light, or simply their true self. For me, the source is my divine power—a wellspring of strength, courage, and boundless potential.
But let’s be honest: acknowledging the source is not always comfortable. In fact, it can be downright intimidating. It’s not that we’re afraid of being inadequate or small—it’s the opposite. As Nelson Mandela so eloquently said:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.”
The quote hits me like a splash of cold water every time. It calls out the tension between my fear and my potential—the exhilarating but terrifying acknowledgment that I might just have what it takes.
Let’s pause for a moment. Imagine what it feels like to truly believe that. To confront the fact that your brilliance, your capacity, your power could be limitless. It’s as liberating as it is overwhelming, isn’t it?
Recognising the Call
Right now, I’m watching a dear friend stand at the edge of the realisation. She’s on the brink of a life-altering career shift, and while her heart is pulling her toward something greater, fear has become a stubborn gatekeeper. The unknown stretches before her like a vast, uncharted ocean, filled with waves of doubt: “What if I fail? What will people think? What if I’m not good enough?”
It’s like watching someone press snooze on their potential every morning. And here’s the kicker: the longer she delays, the more she anxiety grows. Anxiety is like that pesky possum in the ceiling—it keeps you up at night and it doesn’t go away on its own.
Sound familiar?
I recognise the tension because I’ve felt it myself. I remember being 21, with nothing but a ticket to Europe, a stomach full of fear, and a head full of dreams. Every step into the unknown felt like walking a tightrope without a net. Years later, launching the blog brought back that same fear. Would anyone care what I had to say? Could I be vulnerable enough to share my authentic voice?
In both cases, it wasn’t inadequacy holding me back. It was the enormity of stepping into who I truly was. My source—my divine source—was calling me, and I was terrified of answering.
When the Shoe Is on the Other Foot
While watching my friend wrestle with her fear, I found myself doling out advice. I shared stories, experiences, and lessons that might illuminate her path. But here’s the thing about advice: it’s a bit like handing someone a flashlight when they’re not ready to switch it on. She listened politely, but I could tell it wasn’t landing.
I couldn’t help but feel frustrated. Couldn’t she see how close she was to something incredible? Didn’t she trust my perspective? Then, it hit me: the frustration I felt wasn’t just about her but about me.
You see, I’m no stranger to ignoring advice myself. I’ve spent years avoiding my own source, playing small, and hiding parts of myself. When faced with something new, I often prefer to navigate it on my own terms. I want space to wrestle with my fears, to listen to my inner voice, and to arrive at the answer in my own way.
Realising this was humbling. My frustration wasn’t just about her hesitation—it was a mirror, reflecting my own struggles.
What Is Your Source?
Your source is the essence of who you came here to be. For me, it’s divine power—the strength to create, lead, and face challenges head-on. For others, it may be love, creativity, wisdom, or joy. There are so many essences. Your source is the anchor that keeps you grounded and the fire that drives you forward.
Think of it as a glowing ember inside you. When you nurture it, it burns brighter, illuminating your path and warming those around you. But when you neglect it, that ember dims, leaving you fumbling in the dark.
The challenge is this: will you let your ember blaze into a fire? Or will you let it smoulder, untapped, and unseen?
Tools for Discovering Your Source
Finding your source is an intimate, transformative journey. It’s like being a miner, chipping away at layers of rock to reveal a dazzling gem. But here’s the catch: the gem isn’t hiding from you—it’s waiting for you to acknowledge it.
Here are some trusty tools for the excavation:
- Journaling: Think of the as your excavation log. Write freely about moments when you felt alive, fulfilled, or deeply in tune with yourself. Contrast these with times when you felt out of sync or disconnected. Use prompts like:
- “When do I feel most alive?”
- “What do I do so naturally that it feels like breathing?”
- Meditation and Mindfulness: Quiet the external noise and tune into your inner voice. Ask yourself, “What is my essence?” and listen. What qualities feel most authentic to you?
- Symbolic Actions: Sometimes, words aren’t enough. Create, paint, dance—do something that brings your inner world into the tangible. The act of expression often unlocks hidden parts of yourself.
Befriending the Shadows
Discovering your source isn’t all about basking in your brilliance. It also means confronting the shadows that come with it.
For me, divine power has a dual edge. It’s the force that pushes me to lead boldly, create fearlessly, and face challenges head-on. It causes me to speak my mind when I think that I should hold back. It’s also the part of me that can move too fast, overwhelm others, or expect too much from myself and others. My power is intense, fiery, and deeply sensitive—it can and is messy.
Learning to embrace the duality hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to acknowledge my own impatience, perfectionism, and vulnerability. But here’s the truth: the parts of ourselves we fear most often hold the greatest gifts.
What shadows accompany your essence? If your source is love, perhaps you’ve struggled with setting boundaries. If it’s creativity, maybe you’ve wrestled with self-doubt. Instead of rejecting these shadows, consider them allies in your journey. They’re not your enemies—they’re your teachers.
The Challenge of Embracing Your Source
Here’s where things get uncomfortable: embracing your source means accepting the fullness of who you are. It’s not about fixing yourself or striving to become someone else. It’s about becoming more of who you already are.
For me, the process is still unfolding. I joke about naming my divine power—maybe Stephen King, because it’s intense and occasionally terrifying. Or Charles Darwin, because it’s deeply tied to my origin and survival. Whatever the name, I’m learning to accept it as a fundamental part of me.
The real question is: What’s stopping you? What part of your source have you been avoiding?
Your Turn
I’m challenging you to dig deep. What is your source? Is it love, creativity, wisdom, or something entirely unique? What would happen if you stopped avoiding it and started embracing it?
This is not a casual exploration—it’s a bold, courageous act of self-discovery. It’s about answering the call of your essence, even when it feels overwhelming. So grab your metaphorical miner’s pick and start chipping away. The divine within you is waiting to shine.
Remember that: The journey to discovering your source isn’t about perfection or ease. It’s about stepping into your power, embracing your wholeness, and living boldly as the person you were meant to be.
✨ Let your ember become a blaze. ✨
