An Enlightened Purpose

Past, Present & Purpose

March 2022

“34A you are this way, ma’am”

I walk back to my seat slowly, with apparent traffic from people slowly loading their bags up and away over their assigned seating.

Grateful to have a window seat for this 8 hour flight, I sit down relieved, sweaty and take a deep breath to let go of the stress I’ve accumulated over my very hectic transfer in Belgium. I take my water, AirPods, and book out of my backpack, and proceed to stow it away under the seat in front of me knowing that demand would be coming soon from the flight attendants.

I promptly start finishing the chapter I left off on from my previous flight. Every few paragraphs I look up to land on new faces filing down the aisle. I study their faces for a brief moment, taking them in, anticipating the simple fact that their images wouldn’t last long. That’s what’s so beautiful about airplanes; a plethora of stories in the same setting, crossing for a brief interval of time, to solemnly see again. Stories you come amongst, but hardly get the chance to summarize.

One of those fleeting stories then sat next to me in 34C.

“Hi!”

-“Hi!”

I swiftly take in her character, summarizing the basic facts, judging a book by its cover, as she begins the routine of preparing herself comfortably for this long flight.

“Late 20’s, early 30’s, blonde, definitely German, seems nice, at least she’s in the aisle, hopefully no one sits in the middle”

Grabbing her essentials and tucking away her backpack, I am continuing to read my book. There is an air of comfortable silence between us, lingering and swirling within the middle seat.

Everybody is now seated and instructions are being demonstrated in German by the flight attendants.

When the adrenaline stifled after take off, I jump out of my comfort zone before my mind has the chance to hold me back.

“Why are you going to New Jersey?” I ask the girl next to me, genuinely curious why someone in Europe would ever be flying to Newark, New Jersey.

Going from the fresh atmosphere in Germany to the scent of Dirty Jersey is a baffling moment, even for someone accustomed to the sleaze. (Sorry not sorry to anyone who loves and protects NJ, but I am not wrong).

“I am actually on a business trip!” Enthused, she goes on: “I have a layover for the night, I think I may actually try to see the city. But my flight leaves early tomorrow morning. I got a special invitation to spend time on this island living on a boat and I decided last minute I should go!”

We talked more. I of course matched her excitement, explained to her how the train and subway works so she can travel back and forth with ease tonight and went on to ask more about her life, and what she does.

She’s a yoga instructor/ health coach and she manifested this opportunity. Her name is Christin and she’s very interested in spirituality, self growth, traveling and Yoga.

Me.

I felt a strange connection with her. You know when you meet someone and it feels destined? Like the universe is channeling a message to you, through another person. A guidance. Christin was that for me. I was invested in hearing her perspectives on life, how she’s made decisions to get her where she is, and everything in between.

My life was incredibly in flux at that moment.

I was considering becoming an au pair to a family in Norway.

I was working a job that was completely unfulfilling.

And had no idea whatsoever, what to do or where to go.

But you know what? I do love yoga, I do love traveling, and I do love meeting like minded people.

She had what I wanted. What my soul was seeking I should say.

During the remainder of the flight, it felt as if we were best friends. Enjoying our airplane meal together, showing each other our favorite movies, sharing heart break stories, comparing our countries and gossiping about our families.

We kept in touch for a little while.

I woke up to a text from her the next morning about her brief time in NYC. She met a man who was her tour guide for the night and she had such a romantic, once in a lifetime experiences there.

She was manifesting that.

I was keeping up with her trip on social media. Her days living on a boat, and the new people she was hoping to connect with.

She actually prolonged her stay, while falling in love with someone and they travelled along together.

She manifested that too.

Christin was aligned and actively chasing the life she knew she deserved.

While I went back home, to my boring 9-5, questioning my purpose.

August 2022

My brother Dylan and I are walking along the beach, watching our dog Levi run around like a chubby maniac.

“Well what do you wanna do?” He asked me, and then of course explained how I don’t need to know yet but I should figure it out soon. Yanno, the typical peer pressure from family to a newly twenty something to figure shit out.

I explained, basically “I don’t know”

I want it to have a greater purpose, helping others, creative and definitely not a desk job. How I wouldn’t mind teaching, I like kids and guiding others, but the pay is meh and I don’t want to feel stuck to one routine my entire life. Blah Blah Blah.

Out of nowhere, amidst some silence and a salty breeze, I said while feeling cold sand in between my toes “Maybe I’ll become a Yoga Instructor. Meghan (our sister) always said I should do that”

Later that week I impulsively bought an online 250 hour course, and was on my way to becoming a yoga instructor.

I jump out of my comfort zone before my mind has the chance to hold me back.

May 2023

I just finished.

“Graduated” if you will

I am now a certified Yoga Instructor.

I feel proud, accomplished, excited, and like I have a purpose.

I have my sister Meghan to thank for introducing me to yoga and sprinkling this seed into the back of my mind, coming to fruition.

I have my brother Dylan to thank for that one conversation, for some reason opening my mind up and getting through to me.

And I have that stranger to thank, Christin, for being proof of a life I imagine for myself.

To a new journey and an enlightened purpose, Cheers!

*I still can’t believe I’m a Yoga Instructor now, that’s so cool of me*