14 YOGA JOURNAL
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARPO INC./RUVEN AFANADORTrust Your Truth
Oprah Winfrey believes that living for yourself is honorable not selfish. In
her new book, The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and
Purpose, she shares what she’s learned about setting meaningful intentions,
finding your flow, and embodying your most authentic self.The simple act of asking “What is my purpose?” on the Internet
has the power to elicit nearly one billion responses.
That’s a staggering commentary on the way so many people
feel about who they are and how much they long for an existence
that matters.
On the surface, typing those four little words... what—is—
my—purpose... and pressing enter may seem trivial, but it’s really
a profound reflection of an intimate prayer rising from the deepest
part of the heart. It’s asking to be acknowledged. Initiating that
search is a sign that the journey toward an elevated life filled with
meaning and character is ready to begin.
And here is the great news. Beyond the labyrinth of digital
links, there is really just one being who holds the keys to unlock
the answers to all that you were meant to become. That miracu-
lous soul has been speaking your entire life. Of course I’m talking
about you!
I believe every one of us is born with a purpose. No matter who
you are, what you do, or how far you think you have to go, you
have been tapped by a force greater than yourself to step into your
God-given calling. This goes far beyond what you do to earn your
living. I’m talking about a supreme moment of destiny, the reason
you are here on earth.
Each one of us has an essential role in the whole of humanity.
All you have to do is follow your path to answer the call.
In the words of the Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu, A journey of
a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Committing to a life of purpose takes courage. There was
a time in my own life when I felt torn between who the world was
telling me I should be and what I felt to be the truth of myself.
Today, I know for sure what I’m here to do. That’s because I started
listening to my instincts and paying attention to the decisions
I made each and every day.
If you’re at a crossroads in your career or relationship, if you’re
struggling with finances, with addiction, or to take control of your
health, the journey to lasting change begins with defining what
matters most to you. All of us have a limited number of years here
on earth. What do you want to do with yours? How do you want
to spend your precious, ever-unfolding future? There’s no need to
waste another day wondering if there’s more to life. There is. And
it’s yours for the finding.
When you’re ready.BOOK CLUBAT A GLANCE
BOOK TITLE
The Path Made Clear:
Discovering Your Life’s
Direction and PurposeON SALE
March 26, 2019WHY WE LOVE IT
It’s packed with inspiring
stories from people who
found their own way.Excerpted from THE PATH MADE
CLEAR. Copyright © 2019 by Oprah
Winfrey. Excerpted by permission
of Flatiron Books, a division of
Macmillan Publishers. No part of
this excerpt may be reproduced
or reprinted without permission in
writing from the publisher.