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Dear Radiant Soul,
There comes a moment on every personal growth journey when you realize that doing more doesn’t always bring you closer to who you’re meant to be. For some, it’s the feeling of not knowing your purpose at all. For others, even a purpose-filled life can feel heavy with too much doing and not enough being. It’s time to shift from constant doing to intentional being.
This article builds on the insights from our last reflection, Rest Revitalizes: Embrace Stillness for Emotional Balance, Mental Clarity, and Inner Strength, and provides you with actionable steps to help you align with your purpose, even if you’re unsure of what that purpose is just yet.
Why We Fall Into the Trap of Doing
It’s easy to get caught up in staying busy—whether it’s chasing after the next task, fulfilling social commitments, or pushing yourself to be more productive....but when our lives become an endless cycle of doing, we lose touch with who we are at our core. Whether you’re still searching for your purpose or already living in alignment with it, too much doing can cloud your connection to that deeper part of you.
This is your reminder that your value isn’t tied to how much you accomplish. Whether your commitments are personal, social, or professional, you are worthy of creating space to just be.
What It Means to Be
To be means to exist fully in the present moment, free from the pressure to achieve or perform. It’s about allowing yourself the space to connect with your true self, without the distractions of what society or others expect from you.
Being doesn’t mean you stop moving forward in life, but rather, you learn to move with intentionality and purpose, grounded in your authentic self. It’s the ability to embrace stillness and trust that who you are is enough, regardless of what you accomplish.
In the act of being, you create space for spiritual development, allowing God to draw closer and reveal His wisdom and guidance. Being opens the door for divine connection, where you can reflect, listen, and grow in your relationship with God.
Being is where clarity is found, where peace resides, and where God’s voice speaks most clearly. It’s not about doing nothing—it’s about consciously choosing to listen, reflect, and grow in alignment with your purpose and inner guidance.
10 Simple Steps to Shift from Human-Doing to Human-Being
In addition to creating space of stillness that welcomes you to speak to God for guidance, here are some other practical steps to help you shift from human-doing to human-being. Whether you’re just starting out, filled with purposeful work but need more balance, or simply seeking guidance to make more room for being, these steps are for you:
Assess Your Current Daily Tasks - List every commitment you’re currently dedicated to—whether personal, work-related, or social. This is your chance to reflect on where your energy is being spent. Often, disconnect begins in the areas of life where you’re over-committed to things that don’t feel fulfilling.
Rank Each Task for Alignment - Next, rank each commitment from 1 to 10 based on how closely it aligns with your true desires or values. A “1” means it feels completely disconnected, while a “10” means it’s fully aligned with your authentic self and purpose.
Explore the Low-Ranking Tasks (7 or Below) - For the commitments ranked 7 or below, ask yourself why you took them on in the first place. Were they driven by obligation, fear of judgment, or a desire to please others? Understanding your “why” helps you identify what no longer serves you.
Reflect on the High-Ranking Tasks (8 or Above) - For those tasks rated 8 or above, reflect on what makes them feel purposeful. Whether it's work you love or personal commitments that bring you joy, understanding why these tasks resonate with you reinforces their place in your life.
Identify the Tasks to Let Go Of - Review your low-ranking commitments and ask yourself, “Which of these can I release to make room for more alignment?” Circle or highlight the tasks that no longer serve you and free yourself from the pressure to perform in areas that feel disconnected.
Create a Strategic Exit Plan - For the commitments you’re ready to release, create a thoughtful exit plan. Whether it’s delegating tasks, stepping down from a role, or declining future social engagements, this step is about letting go gracefully and intentionally.
Resist the Urge to Fill the Space - It’s natural to want to fill the space you’ve created with new tasks, but resist that urge. Trust that this space is sacred, and God will fill it with aligned opportunities when the time is right. (this is where those use to the grind, will feel extremely challenged. Lean in anyway.) Use the extra time to engage in self-exploration, catch up on self-care, or lean further in to your time with God.
Embrace Being Over Doing - For the next seven days, commit to at least 10 minutes of stillness each day. Whether it’s sitting quietly, journaling, or reflecting, use this time to reconnect with yourself and listen for the guidance of your inner voice.
Celebrate the Small Shifts - Change doesn’t happen overnight. Celebrate each small shift, whether it’s letting go of a task or taking time to reflect. These small changes add up, creating more room for being in your life.
Stay Open to Divine Guidance - Now that you’ve made room in your life, stay open to the opportunities and clarity that God is bringing your way. Whether you’re discovering your purpose or learning to balance doing with being, trust that this space will lead to divine alignment.
Validation For Those Already on the Path
If you’ve already embraced this shift from doing to being, know that it’s okay if it still feels uncomfortable or foreign at times. Even those living purposeful lives can find themselves caught up in too much doing. The journey is about finding the balance and trusting that with time and intention, you’ll adjust to a new way of being.
Stay the course, Radiant Soul. With each day, this new way of being will feel more natural, and you’ll find yourself more aligned with your true self.
Flowing with Authenticity
The more you practice being, the more authentic your life becomes. Let go of the need for external validation or busyness and embrace the stillness that comes with aligning with your purpose. Whether you know your purpose or are discovering it, being is where you find clarity, peace, and direction. It’s also where you find the deepest connection to God, where His wisdom and guidance come through to support your journey.
Choose one of these 10 steps to implement this week. Even the smallest change can create lasting transformation in your life. Remember, this is your journey, and you have the power to align with what God has called you to be.
Stay encouraged, and keep being who God has called you to be.
With grace and purpose,
Dr. A
Continue Your Journey to Wellness
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Don’t forget to check out our Mindfulness Journals, You Can Do This!, and Soul Work Affirmation Cards, crafted to help you thrive in your everyday life. These resources are here to empower your journey.
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Together, let’s keep exploring and nurturing the best version of you!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Amirah B. Abdullah, DrPH
Dr. A is a Mindfulness Coach with a passion for helping individuals build the muscle that influences everything they do. For Your Inner G is committed to helping you improve your mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being to support and encourage adulting success!
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