Photo by Jasmine DeMarcos

When Heather and I met in the 4 month volunteer program at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, she was just launching her escape from corporate life.  That was almost 3 years ago and her adventure still hasn’t ended.  Her dedication to living life according to her own rules is deeply inspiring.  Heather’s life is an awesome reminder of the power of letting your authentic Self lead.

Heather, what is your calling? I’m a Recovering ‘Corporateer’; a modern-day adventurer. My calling is to be a skillful participant in my own existence by never judging myself based on my possessions, my job title, my past, my looks, my (lack of) money in the bank, the size of my jeans. To live a life full of experiences, big and small, by cultivating an honest life filled with love, travel, good food, good conversation, a love of the outdoors, yoga, and photography. To continue to work towards combining these things into an ‘experience’ that can be shared with others; to help others become more skillful, aware participants in their own existence. I have spent the last 4 years doing a complete 180 with my life… I feel compelled to help people to realize it is never to late to change their own life if they feel compelled to do so.

What’s possible for you when you remember that you are already enough? For me personally, when I was finally able to accept that I am already enough, I grew the courage to quit a very successful, high-paying but incredibly stressful job in NYC, I lost over 50 pounds, I found the true, real love I had always hoped was out there for me, I jumped at opportunities that have allowed me to travel the world, work as a hiking guide, become a certified yoga teacher… the list goes on.

In my more reflective moments, knowing that I am already enough has allowed me to become more comfortable admitting my failures, has enabled me to sit honestly with the discomforts and mistakes of my past, to stop blaming myself endlessly for the failure of my first marriage, to recognize and nurture my present self and feelings, to embrace honest and real communication with my loved ones, and to be less critical of my physical self.

When you are steeped in self-compassion, what parts of yourself shine the brightest? My ability to love hugely and selflessly and to be so much more accepting of others.

 

I used to feel that love was something that was reciprocated once it was given to me. Now, I find myself compelled to just give love without any expectation of it being returned.

 

And funnily enough, since I have let go of the expectation of ‘return’, love has come into my life in droves and in so many ways I could never have imagined before.

How does your authentic self inspire others? Since making big changes in my own life, I have been genuinely surprised (and flattered) at those who tell me I inspire them. I can only hope that that inspiration comes from a place within themselves that truly believes they can make big changes in their own life which will pave the way for their own authentically awesome journey.