What is your life’s purpose?
My purpose is personal expansion and to lead by example. I am here to empower people to be their authentic self and live an unapologetic life full of self-love and acceptance.

How are you living your purpose?
Practicing, being, and living it daily. I write books on these topics, lead courses and retreats, and do mentorship and empowerment one-on-one sessions. I feel my ultimate reason for being, as for all of us, is personal expansion. So to live a life of purpose we must live more on purpose. I identified my values and live them daily. By being more authentic to myself, I am connected to my highest self and am living a life that feels good on the inside which can then manifest on the outside. With intention, focus, and a daily practice, I stay aligned with my purpose. My daily practice looks like nature walks, exercise, eating foods that make me feel good and balanced, prayer, being of service to others, meditation, and hot baths.

How did you find your purpose?
I discovered my purpose 10 years ago by realizing I was hiding from my true self. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was ignoring my needs and desires. I hit rock bottom after being diagnosed with clinical depression, suffering silently from eating disorders, anxiety, and drug addiction. I said there has to be a better way. It is exhausting to live a life I don’t feel connected to. My inner voice said follow your heart and that led me to really honor myself by being true to myself. I left corporate life, depression, and addictions behind to become an inspirational writer and speaker. As I started to honor my joy and passion, all of the inauthentic things fell away. We have to be who we are instead of who the world tells us to be, or who we think we should be.

But it was a process. At the time when my doctor diagnosed me with depression, I read an article that said dogs can help with depression. So I adopted a rescue dog, Tucker, an 80-lb golden retriever who became my best friend and true joy. With him by my side, I discovered my purpose as a writer and found self-love. But two years ago, Tucker passed away from old age. When he died, a part of me did too. Even though I am a happiness coach and self-help author, I fell into a mini depression. I realized I needed to learn how to be joyful without relying on anything outside of myself.

And then I asked myself, “What have you always wanted to do but haven’t given yourself permission to do?” My inner voice said travel the world, so I set out for a full year to travel solo and write my book, Joy Seeker: Let Go of What’s Holding You Back So You Can Live the Life You Were Made For. While I was traveling, I learned the real meaning of life and fulfillment. I thought I was traveling to see the world—a “go big or go home” type of deal— but really, I was traveling for more meaning and purpose. Once I realized I wanted more purpose in my life, it led me to China to rescue dogs from the meat trade. I worked with Golden Bond Rescue (watch this video to learn more); this travel with a purpose was what I was truly longing for.

What advice do you have for purpose seekers?
“Follow Your Joy Route.” The joy is within you and your purpose isn’t something you find; it is something you reveal. You discover it by getting in touch with you wonder, curiosity, and joy. What makes you happy? When do you feel like your best self? What are you doing? Follow these nuggets of truth—they always lead us to our true purpose. Also, recognize that the thing you do is not your purpose, it is your passion. Our purpose in life is to be more of who we really are, to trust ourselves and experience personal expansion.

What resources do you recommend?
Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires by Esther and Jerry Hicks
Human Soul Revealed: Unlocking The Mysteries From Beyond by Monika Muranyi
This School Called Planet Earth by Summer Bacon

Connect with Shannon Kaiser:
Contact page: https://www.playwiththeworld.com/contact/
Website: https://www.playwiththeworld.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonkaiserwrites
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shannonkaiserwrites/
Book: Joy Seeker: Let Go of What’s Holding You Back So You Can Live the Life You Were Made For
One-on-one support https://www.playwiththeworld.com/work-with-me/
Discover Your Purpose online Course: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/classes/get-unstuck-how-to-find-your-calling-live-a-life-with-more-meaning

Shannon Kaiser is the bestselling author of five books on the psychology of happiness and fulfillment including the new release Joy Seeker: Let Go of What’s Holding You Back So You Can Live the Life You Were Made For and an international life coach, speaker and retreat leader, helping people trust and believe in themselves so they can live their highest potential. She’s been named a top 100 Women to Watch in wellness by mindbodygreen and “your-go-to happiness booster” by Health magazine. She has also been recognized as a Must-Follow Instagram Account for Inspiration by Entrepreneur magazine and a Top Facebook Account for Daily Motivation by mindbodygreen. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Elle, Health, Vogue, Women’s Health, Self, Shape, Entrepreneur, Good Housekeeping and more. Visit her website at playwiththeworld.com and follow on social media @ShannonKaiserWrites.