Blissfull business, Heart-Based Vocation & Returning to the Principle of 'The Great Giveaway'

I'll be honest, as someone who has always been interested in business and entrepreneurship, I've never resonated with the word 'business', mainly because of what it's come to represent in modern day society, such as ruthless competition, soul selling and ego-fuelled ambition.

I also recognize the outdated business models and the perception that society has of what running a business 'should look' like and how people project that as a dogmatic one size fits all business model.

People are capable at any time in their lives of doing what they dream of- Paulo Coelho

What I do resonate with and something I've always been passionate about is people tuning into their intrinsic gifts and making a living from cultivating what they enjoy and love to do.

So many of us associate making a living with 'money', because that's what we've been indoctrinated to believe. Yes, we need money to pay our rent and utilities, but we don't necessarily need it to 'truly live and enjoy life', that is another misconception and is merely a perception based on materialistic and limiting ideals.

When we step into a heart-led vocation, life is filled with purpose, passion, excitement, enjoyment, flow, longevity, expansion and bliss

It wasn't a surprise then, to discover that the word 'business' actually stems from the old english word 'bisignis' which means 'anxiety'. Well, well, well! Could it be that our constant busy-ness in life ultimately causes the toxic stress and anxiety, which can then lead to habits such as 'shopping therapy' and over consumption of earth's resources?

Business as we've come to know it, as we have been taught to believe it, is all about the cut-throat capitalist ambition, ego driven and toxic mentality of the hustle and grind culture. 'Roll with the sharks or be eaten with the fish' is just one of many disheartening mantras fostered by grind culture that has created a general perception that business is complicated, extremely hard work and only possible for those who are business savvy and prepared to put their whole lives on line! Daunting much!

People have an inherent need to compete, but as everyone tries to outperform each other, it's essentially a race to the bottom—the bottom being burnout, poor performance and the occasional blinding headache- www.forbes.com

Thank goodness, that we are shifting into a more heart and spirit led space on all levels as we enter into a new phase of human evolution, where we are returning to the truth of who we are and what we have come here to do, which is so much more than working for money and buying things, so much more!!

Think about how much limitations have been placed upon us to constantly be busy, how much of our life time on this earth is spent 'doing', because god forbid if we don't do anything, we are ostracised and labelled by society as being unproductive, purposeless, lazy, good for nothing and the list goes on and on.

Furthermore, rather than subject our children to the brutal forces of this stigmatisation that we as parents know all too well, most of us 'maybe unconsciously' and systematically conform and usher them into this same toxic programming on business, careers, work and even finding purpose.

One interesting theory is that constantly being busy keeps us locked into fight or flight and survival mode, which is linked to stress, anxiety, weight gain, brain fog and burnout. Another idea is that 'taking time to just be' is not only healthier, it is more productive!

“When you learn the difference between busywork and your life’s work, that’s the first step on the path of purpose.”

― Brendon Burchard

So what is heart-based vocation and what might that look like for future business?

Firstly, what is the meaning of vocation? A vocation is described as being one's life work, calling, mission, purpose and pursuit.

Heart-led vocation is simply leading with your heart and flowing into what lights you up, what energises you and what feels good! It's about balance and honouring your life force as the interchange between being and doing.

It's about trusting that when you are aligned with your heart space and tuned into spirit, that your needs and wants will be provided for as you tap into miracle-mindedness and abundance instead of scarcity. This is what I like to call 'blissfull busi-ness'.

Most often people are held back by their lack of confidence and belief in what's possible for them, what they're capable of achieving and whether they are worthy of that level of success-this becomes the prison people build for themselves- Keith Abraham

Its about accepting that your open heart and willingness to learn, grow and flow will magnetise to you all that your heart desires and all that is meant for you, with full backing and support from your spirit family and the cosmos.

Its about turning within and tuning in to your inner-guidance system and fully trusting what you receive, no matter how 'out the gate' it seems. Being out the gate means that you are free to explore other possibilities outside of societal norms.

“Your potential is limitless. You are unique, valuable, capable, and worthy of the dreams in your heart. Most of all, you have what it takes to transform and transcend whatever challenges you face.”― Marie Forleo

Returning to the Indigenous Principle of 'The Great Giveaway'

Humans over time have become very self-serving, greedy and craving for more, more, more. This has led to the devolution of our planet, to each other and a disconnection to other living beings on this planet.

Everything on this Earth is now seen as an object to be commodified and turned into material wealth. Any regard for the sacredness of life has been infiltrated from the lust for status, wealth and a false sense of power.

This is where I see the concept of the great giveaway as a navigation tool back to heart based lifestyle and living.

Essentially, this is a Native American concept and ceremony that is founded on reciprocity and the philosophy that 'giving is receiving'. As a tribal community, whether that's online or real life everyone contributes to help and support each other.

......there are really two centrally important reasons for doing a giveaway.  One, is to give thanks or pay an honour to someone or something.  And the other is deeply ingrained in our cultures - possessions are not what life is about, and giving is far more powerful and sacred than receiving....- John Two Hawks

We can build on this principle as part of heart-led vocation and blissful busi-ness by fostering a 'people and planet over profit' business model, being generous with our offerings, not overcharging and not raping the Earth and her freely given gifts and resources.

By doing so, we are also teaching the next generation to tune into their gifts, have compassion and empathy for others and build businesses based on following their passion and heart-led vocation or 'spirit callings'.

The great give away is simply the humble giving, the sharing, of what we have to offer others....to give freely is not only the Indian way, it is the way of human spirituality

-Mary Summer Rain