March 2025 Newsletter
Dear Ones,
In these chaotic times, I believe it’s a perfect moment to pause, reflect, and reimagine our sense of purpose—not just in the context of our jobs or careers, but through a deeper, more soulful lens.
For too long, many of us have equated purpose with our professional roles. But what if purpose is something more profound, more interconnected—something that lives at the crossroads of our spirit, the collective, and our ancestral wisdom?
I’m excited to share a chapter from my upcoming book, Traumatized: A Love Story. This chapter delves into discovering our true purpose from a spiritual and relational perspective. I hope this sneak preview brings inspiration, insight, and perhaps a fresh sense of alignment with your own path.
With love and gratitude,
Michael
In these chaotic times, I believe it’s a perfect moment to pause, reflect, and reimagine our sense of purpose—not just in the context of our jobs or careers, but through a deeper, more soulful lens.
For too long, many of us have equated purpose with our professional roles. But what if purpose is something more profound, more interconnected—something that lives at the crossroads of our spirit, the collective, and our ancestral wisdom?
I’m excited to share a chapter from my upcoming book, Traumatized: A Love Story. This chapter delves into discovering our true purpose from a spiritual and relational perspective. I hope this sneak preview brings inspiration, insight, and perhaps a fresh sense of alignment with your own path.
With love and gratitude,
Michael
Chapter Fifteen
Finding Our Purpose: A Journey Toward Wholeness
For much of my life, I wrestled with the question of purpose. Like so many others, I was conditioned to believe that purpose was tied to my career—that my productivity measured my worth and that success was the ultimate proof of my existence. I chased titles, achievements, and accolades, convinced that these external markers would define me. But as I embarked on the long, sometimes painful, healing journey, I began to see purpose in a different light. I discovered that purpose isn’t a static destination to be reached; it is a dynamic movement toward wholeness that evolves with us over time. It’s not solely about what I achieve but about how I show up, create, and contribute to the world and the evolution of my lineage.
Finding Our Purpose: A Journey Toward Wholeness
For much of my life, I wrestled with the question of purpose. Like so many others, I was conditioned to believe that purpose was tied to my career—that my productivity measured my worth and that success was the ultimate proof of my existence. I chased titles, achievements, and accolades, convinced that these external markers would define me. But as I embarked on the long, sometimes painful, healing journey, I began to see purpose in a different light. I discovered that purpose isn’t a static destination to be reached; it is a dynamic movement toward wholeness that evolves with us over time. It’s not solely about what I achieve but about how I show up, create, and contribute to the world and the evolution of my lineage.
My early experiences taught me that trauma fractures us, compelling us to suppress parts of ourselves so we can merely survive instead of fully living. I buried emotions and experiences I deemed too overwhelming to face for many years. I learned to compartmentalize the pain, believing that if I could hide my “broken” parts, I might somehow be deemed worthy or strong. Yet, over time, I realized that this suppression wasn’t a flaw in my character—it was an intelligent, instinctual response of my nervous system, honed over millions of years to protect me in the face of overwhelming adversity. When our experiences become too intense, our bodies learn to protect us by temporarily “freezing” parts of our essence. While essential for survival, this mechanism can disconnect us from the fullness of who we are. Healing becomes the art of reclaiming and integrating these frozen parts into a living, breathing whole.
I now understand that my purpose is deeply connected to the integration process. It isn’t about erasing the past or fixing myself as if I were a broken machine—it’s about embracing all parts of who I am, including those once hidden in the shadows. The journey of healing is, in itself, a purpose. Every time I step toward reconnecting with my inner truth, I honor my own story and the collective narrative of humanity. As I learn to feel my purpose—rather than analyze it—the realization dawns that true purpose is not just an intellectual concept but something to be experienced in every cell of my body.
This insight into body-centered awareness has been transformative. I once believed that purpose was a lofty, abstract idea to be contemplated in quiet moments of introspection. But as I began to pay attention to the wisdom of my body—the sensations, the subtle cues, the emotional currents—I discovered that purpose is deeply rooted in our physical being. It is in how my heart quickens when I’m moved by a piece of art, in the steady rhythm of my breath during moments of stillness, and in the intuitive pull I feel when making decisions that align with my deepest values. This embodied knowing reminds me that purpose isn’t something external to be found; it is already present within me, waiting to be awakened through mindful attention and compassionate self-care.
My journey has also taught me that purpose is not an isolated endeavor but fundamentally relational. Early in my life, I believed that purpose was something I had to discover on my own, as if it were a hidden treasure buried within the confines of my identity. Over time, however, I realized that my purpose is inextricably linked to the people around me—the teachers who have guided me, the friends who have supported me, and the countless individuals whose lives I have touched along the way. As Thomas Hübl reminds us, our purpose is deeply connected to society's collective trauma and healing. I have seen that part of my life’s work is to contribute to a more integrated, compassionate world—one where each person’s healing journey uplifts and transforms the collective narrative.
I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of coming together in healing circles and shared spaces. When I lead Trauma Healing Circles, I am not just facilitating my journey; I am co-creating a space where others can reclaim the parts of themselves that have long been suppressed. In those moments of collective vulnerability, I feel the profound truth that our purpose is relational—nurtured and sustained by the energy we share with one another. Every shared tear, every word of empathy, every silent moment of understanding weaves us into a larger tapestry of human experience. Our interconnectedness becomes a powerful reminder that healing is both personal and collective. My healing contributes to the community's well-being, and the healing of others reinforces my sense of purpose.
As I integrated my own experiences with the wisdom of collective healing, I began to see that purpose involves an integration of intelligence—a harmonious blending of the mind, emotions, and physical sensations. Purpose is not merely about setting and achieving goals but about using all the resources within me to navigate life with authenticity and integrity. I learned that intellectual understanding, while valuable, is insufficient if it is not coupled with emotional depth and bodily awareness. I discovered that the most profound insights come when my mind, heart, and body are in dialogue—a state of being that allows me to act with clarity, compassion, and resilience. This integrated intelligence has become a cornerstone of my purpose, guiding me to live in alignment with my truth and to support others in their journey toward wholeness.
Reflecting on my life, I realize that my purpose has always been there, woven into the fabric of my existence long before I was born. I come from a lineage steeped in history, resilience, and unspoken wisdom that stretches back generations. Science tells us that every female is born with all the eggs she will ever produce, meaning that my potential to create life, evolve, and heal was already present in my grandmother’s body. But what was passed down to me was not just biological potential; it was the accumulated experience of generations—the fears, traumas, and triumphs of those who came before me. The wounds my mother carried from war, displacement, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor were imprinted on my very being, transmitted through genetics and epigenetics. Just as trauma is inherited, so is the capacity to heal. In embracing this ancestral legacy, I discovered that my purpose is not a solitary pursuit; it is a continuum that connects me to the past, enriches my present, and lights the way for future generations.
In my darkest moments, when the weight of suppressed emotions threatened to overwhelm me, I began to see these very moments as signposts—indicators of where I had disconnected from my true self. I came to understand that the work of healing was not about erasing pain but about integrating it, reclaiming the parts of me that had been frozen by trauma. I learned to listen to my body and honor my emotions' wisdom. Through meditation, mindful movement, and the compassionate presence of those who walked a similar path, I gradually felt a shift—a reconnection with the essence of who I am. I realized that the integration process of allowing my entire self to emerge is a profound expression of purpose. It is an ongoing journey of self-discovery and transformation, a dance between what was once suppressed and now celebrated.
There were times when I felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. The layers of conditioning, the weight of inherited trauma, and the burden of societal expectations all seemed to conspire to keep me from experiencing my true self. Yet, in those moments of quiet surrender, I found that even acknowledging my pain was a courageous step toward wholeness. I learned to embrace the discomfort, honor the lessons embedded in every scar, and see each moment of vulnerability as an invitation to grow. Over time, I discovered that my purpose was not something to be chased or conquered—it was something to be lived, moment by moment, in every act of courage, every expression of creativity, and every connection forged with another human being.
As I continue to navigate this journey, I am reminded that purpose is not a fixed endpoint but a living, evolving process. Every day, as I wake up to the challenges and joys of life, I have the opportunity to embody my purpose in new and unexpected ways. I see it in the quiet moments of reflection, the vibrant energy of a shared smile, and the collective efforts of those who come together to heal and transform. I have come to understand that my purpose is not defined solely by my achievements or successes but by the depth of my engagement with life and the meaningful relationships I nurture along the way.
There is beauty in this ongoing journey that lies in the integration of all I am. I have learned that true purpose emerges when I stop trying to compartmentalize my life into neat boxes of achievement and instead allow myself to experience the full spectrum of human emotion. In the interplay of light and shadow, joy and sorrow, I find the raw materials of transformation. I have embraced the idea that my purpose is a dialogue between my inner world and the external reality. This conversation is constantly unfolding, inviting me to participate in creating something greater than myself.
Ultimately, I no longer chase purpose as if it were an external prize waiting to be discovered. Instead, I let it emerge naturally through my expression, healing, and relationships. My purpose isn’t confined to a career or a singular passion—it is the integration of all that I am, continuously shaped by my experiences, connections, and commitment to healing myself and the collective. Every step I take, every emotion I honor, and every moment of vulnerability I share contributes to a life of profound meaning. This life not only transforms me but also resonates with those around me.
I invite you to join me in this ongoing journey of discovery. Let us embrace our wounds, reclaim our suppressed parts, and allow our true purpose to shine forth—not as a destination but as an ever-evolving movement toward wholeness and connection. In doing so, we participate in a collective healing that transcends our individual stories, creating a tapestry of resilience, compassion, and shared humanity to light the way for future generations.
End
