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You have a genius within you
Plus, Malala shares her extraordinary journey
The word genius actually comes from ancient Rome. But back then, it had a different meaning.
See, Romans believed genius was this divine power that every person had. It was kind of like a guardian spirit.
Over time, the concept evolved. First, into a person’s penchant for something. And eventually it became what we think of today: a person with outstanding ability.
But I want to go back, at least a little bit, to this notion that everybody has a genius.
See, your genius is the fire inside you. It’s part of you. It’s within you. And chances are, you’ve felt it: that inner voice, that impulse.
And chances are also that you’ve stifled it. Because you wanted to fit in. You wanted to be quote-unquote “normal.” But your genius is the source of your unique power. And learning how to act in alignment with it is essential to living a life of purpose.
If today’s reflection reminds you to take care of yourself a little better —mind and body—here’s one simple place to begin.
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Remembering your genius
Your genius, your flame: it shows up in the way you see, create, and move through the world. When you learn to trust it, life feels steady. Today, I want to reflect on the times you’ve trusted it, as well as the times you didn’t.
Try This: I want you to open a note and think about the moments you had an impulse that you didn’t act on that you regret. Like, maybe you were offered an opportunity you wanted but turned down. Or you had something to say at the meeting, but kept your mouth shut out of fear. List a few of these moments.
Now, I want you to think about times when you acted on that impulse, and it worked. A time when you didn’t spend so much effort plotting about the best move, you just trusted yourself, and somehow it was the best possible choice. That’s your genius. That’s what we want to hone in on.
Honing it is a practice. It takes time. The best way to set yourself up for success is to put yourself in situations where you feel most comfortable trusting yourself. So next time you have time to journal, I want you to finish these prompts:
I feel most myself when…
I’m proud of myself when I…
People count on me for…
What I bring to a room is…
One thing I’m naturally good at is…
Own your fire. And let it guide you.
On Monday, I had the honor of speaking with the global symbol of courage and education, Malala Yousafzai. She told her story of growing up in Pakistan under Taliban rule, to surviving an assassination attempt at fifteen. Throughout, she describes her incredible healing journey and shares wisdom on how to stay brave, find hope, and give yourself unconditional love.
If you want to feel inspired, learn practical tools, and hear powerful stories, listen to On Purpose on Amazon Music. Follow On Purpose on Amazon Music for the full podcast episode and future episodes.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
You have a fire within you that’s easiest to trust in situations you feel comfortable. Reply to this email right now and tell me one thing you’re going to prioritize this week so you feel comfortable trusting your inner genius.
Last week, I challenged you to tell me how you would invest your attention. Here’s what you said.
Reader Miss T said,
“I need to stop worrying about the uncertainty of life. I need to be centered and grounded in reality. I find that I waste my attention on things such as scrolling through social media, thinking about others and worrying about their lives. In order to do so, I will practice more mindfulness, listening to podcasts, reading and exercising more often.”
I’m rooting for you, Miss T! Those activities are incredible investments in your attention that will pay off big time in the long run.
Reader Daryl said,
“I have spent far too much of my attention over the years researching and trying to plan the perfect routines and best ways to be healthier without actually spending any of my attention on doing the things. So instead of wasting my attention on research that is never implemented I am going to just start and during the process find ways to make it exciting!”
This is such a common pattern, Daryl. Many of us spend lots of time planning before taking action. I wish you the best of luck as you start implementing your routine!
Take a moment to explore this week’s sponsor: FAY
Your nutrition is key to unlocking better energy and overall well-being. Fay connects you with a Registered Dietitian to create a personalized plan that goes beyond generic diets. Get 1-on-1 expert guidance for your unique health goals, often covered by your insurance.
What’s your current relationship with your genius look like?
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and inspirational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, therapy, or counselling. If you reply to this email and share a personal story, you consent to us potentially referencing your response in future newsletters or community content. The sponsor messages included in this content are paid ad placements. We do not receive affiliate commissions or compensation based on your purchases. All views expressed remain our own.
