Evelyn Pham

I recently listened to Jay Shetty's mental health podcast, On Purpose, with the intention to answer this question:

"How can I be of service to the world and live a life of purpose?"

What I discovered:

As I listened to the podcast, I realized what was blocking me from fully using my gifts to improve the lives of others -- my ego.

Jay explains how the only way you could be of service, is to learn how to purify yourself of elements that block you from serving people from a full heart (i.e. ego, arrogance, pride, envy, and illusion).

So, if you want to quiet your ego, love and accept yourself for who you are, and live a life of purpose and service, here's one skill you can develop to help unfold the path forward:

The first step to purifying your ego is self-validation.

According to Jay Shetty, ego is fueled by chasing external validation from people to make us feel good about ourselves.

Whereas living a true, honest life, you are empowered by acknowledging your own strengths, weaknesses, emotions, achievements, skills, and flaws without judgement.

If you're ready to fully embrace yourself and open the doors to purpose, here are some journal questions to get you started:

• What are three things I love about myself, and why do I value these traits or qualities?

• What are my top five strengths, and how do they help me in my daily life?

• What are three weaknesses I have, and how can I approach them with kindness and understanding?

• What are three skills I am proud of, and how have I developed these skills over time?

Acceptance is key in purifying your ego.

By acknowledging and embracing your complexity and who you're becoming, you're honesty accepting and loving yourself for all that you are.

As a former hoarder, decluttering is not an easy task.

However, I knew that in order to start fresh, I needed to let go of the past.

With a spark of motivation from Marie Kondo, I spent the next two years tackling a project that would drastically change the trajectory of my life.

Here's how decluttering opened a pathway to my new life:

I remember standing in the middle of my room, surrounded by piles of items accumulated over years.

On the surface, they appeared as physical items, but below the surface they held a story, holding memories of happier times, lost opportunities, and unresolved emotions.

Every item I picked up forced me to confront the emotional baggage of my past. This process of facing my emotions and processing through old wounds, allowed me to release the grip the past had on my present.

With each box I packed up to sell and donate, I felt a little lighter, a little freer.

By embracing this process:

I not only transformed my living space but also my life.

As I let go of the physical items, I also let go of the emotional weight they carried, making room for healing, profound personal growth, inner peace, and a clearer pathway towards a fresh start.

For anyone considering a similar journey, remember that the physical act of decluttering can lead you to deep emotional and mental healing, fostering a beautiful transformation into your new life.

As a homebody, the idea of solo travel might seem daunting, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

Here are three practical tips to help you start your solo travel journey while staying true to your homebody nature:

Tip #1: Start Small and Local

Begin with day trips or weekend getaways to nearby towns or cities. This way, you can get comfortable with the idea of being alone in a new place without venturing too far from home.

I started my solo travel journey by exploring Felton, CA, just an hour away. It was soul liberating and gave me the confidence to travel further.

Action Tip: Make a list of local destinations you've always wanted to visit and plan a day trip for one of them this weekend.

Tip #2: Plan and Prepare

As a homebody, feeling secure and prepared is crucial. Detailed planning can help you feel more at ease.

Before my first solo trip, I researched my destination, booked accommodations in safe areas, and planned a flexible daily itinerary. This preparation made me feel more confident and less anxious.

Action Tip: Create a detailed travel itinerary, book accommodations in advance, and research local transportation options to ensure a smooth, stress-free trip.

Tip #3: Embrace the Comforts of Home

Incorporating small comforts from home can help you feel more relaxed while traveling.

I always pack my journal and my favorite snacks. These small touches of home make any place feel more familiar and comforting.

Action Tip: Pack a few favorite items, such as a book, a comfortable pillow, or snacks you love, to make your travel experience feel more homey.

With these tips, you'll be ready to embark on your journey with confidence and ease.

Why not start planning a local adventure today? Your solo travel journey awaits!

Most successful people share the same handful of things in common:

• They are disciplined with their time

• They know how to stay focused on one goal at a time

• They have mentors and other influential people they can turn to for advice

• They have mastered one (or multiple) valuable skills

• Etc.

But in spirit-led business in particular, I have noticed that the most successful people have this 1 habit in common:

They celebrate their wins and successes. Small and big.

And here's why:

Celebrating wins is in line with the Law of Attraction, which suggests that focusing on positive outcomes attracts more of the same. By regularly celebrating, spirit-led businesses set a positive intention for future successes, causing a ripple effect of success and abundance.

Therefore, take a moment to acknowledge your accomplishments! However small it might seem.

• Did you practice a few minutes of meditation?

• Did you choose to cook dinner instead of buying takeout?

Celebrate yourself!

By acknowledging your progress and celebrating your "small wins," you are creating the building blocks that set yourself up for long-term success in reaching your soul desires.

When I was 29, my coach, Johnny, gave me an unforgettable piece of advice.

I was just starting to get interested in building healthier relationships, and had been running in circles trying to ease my feelings of anxiety in social interactions. But, like most beginners, I was making a lot of mistakes: overthinking my response, not actively listening to the speaker, and feeling self-conscious.

Until one day, Johnny said to me:

"Remember the 3 C's: Calm, Compassionate, Curious"

That day, my whole life changed.

This mindset shift exponentially improved the quality of my connections by: bringing a sense of calm to the interaction, showing compassion towards myself and others, and actively participating in the conversation by being genuinely interested.

Instead of coming mentally unprepared to social interactions, I remembered to set the intention beforehand to be calm, compassionate, and curious.

There are a lot of books about personal freedom.

And I've read lots of them.

But the best book on achieving personal freedom I've found is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

For a few reasons:

Reason #1: Encourages Curiosity and Clarity
"The Four Agreements" taught me that making assumptions often leads to judgment and unnecessary resentment. It encourages us to embrace the power of curiosity by asking questions for clarity instead of making assumptions.

Reason #2: Conscious Use of Words
The book made me more conscious of how I use my words. Our words shape our reality, like a magic spell, and being mindful of them has transformed my interactions and self-talk to more positivity.

Reason #3: Understanding Projections
I realized that what people say or do is a reflection of their own reality, not a judgment on me. This understanding has made me more empathetic and less reactive towards others.

Reason #4: Embracing "Doing Your Best"
The book reminded me that my best is enough, regardless of the outcome! This perspective has alleviated pressure and helped me embrace my efforts.

Reason #5: Awareness of Self-Limiting Beliefs
"The Four Agreements" highlighted my self-limiting beliefs and negative patterns that caused suffering. This awareness has liberated me from mental and emotional constraints, fostering a sense of inner peace.

If you are at all interested in personal freedom and cultivating inner peace, I can't recommend this book enough.

(And if you've read it, do you agree? What other book would you recommend for beginners?)

In our fast-paced world, maintaining a calm nervous system can be challenging, but very essential for our overall well-being.

Whether you're dealing with daily stressors or unexpected anxiety, having a toolkit of practical techniques can help you center into your window of presence anytime.

So, if you want to integrate calming techniques into your daily routine, here are five simple ways to regulate your nervous system right now:

Technique #1: Bhramari (Bee Breath)

Bhramari, or Bee Breath, is a powerful breathing technique that calms the mind and soothes the nervous system.

Technique #2: Horse Lips

Horse Lips is a playful technique that releases tension from the face and jaw, helping to relax the entire body.

Technique #3: Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)

Alternate Nostril Breathing balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain, promoting mental clarity and calm.

Technique #4: Deep Belly Breaths

Deep Belly Breaths activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.

Technique #5: 5-4-3-2-1 Technique

The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique is a grounding exercise that brings your focus to the present moment, reducing anxiety and stress.

Integrating these five practical techniques into your daily routine can help you maintain a calm and regulated nervous system, no matter where you are or what you're facing.

Have you tried any of these calming techniques before? Which one works best for you?

I wouldn't call myself an expert in yoga.

However, I have spent 3 years reading and learning about yoga. And I have probably spent 1,000 hours practicing yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation in my own life.

Here's how I first got interested in yoga:

I had struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life.

There were times when I would reach for food, alcohol, drugs, and entertainment to cover up how I was really feeling, perpetuating my suffering. One day in 2021, I had enough of my misery and decided to choose something healthy for once. Instead of checking my phone in the morning, I chose to start my mornings on YouTube with a yoga practice. 

By starting my day aligning my breath with mindful movement, it allowed me to observe my thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing me to leave all my worries and stresses on the mat and not in my head.

So my goal over the next year is:

To deepen my practice by attending in-person yoga classes once a month to receive live feedback, learn how to surrender to the practice in public, and to connect with other growth-minded yogis. 

Do you practice mindful movement? If so, what practice works for you? I would love to hear more about your experience!

I love learning about the power of presence for reducing anxiety and to maintain a sense of tranquility and calm throughout my day.

Unfortunately, when I first got interested in presence, I had a hard time figuring out where to start.

So, if you are trying to learn more about reducing anxiety and living more fully in the present, here's the best way to get started:

• Read This Book: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle will give you a lay of the land, and is a helpful way to get your bearings.

• Watch This TED Talk: "How to Tap into Your Awareness | Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche | TED" by TED is a must-watch beginner resource for anyone interested in practical tools to cultivate presence.

• Practice With This YouTube Video: And if you want to get started with your practice, watch "Meditation for Inner Peace" by Yoga with Adriene.

These 3 resources will exponentially accelerate your learning process.

There are 3 topics I am actively thinking about a lot these days:

Topic #1: Following Your Inner Guidance 

I am interested in the power of following your internal guidance system because the wisdom you hold leads you towards happiness, fulfillment, and a stress-free way of living.

And my hope is that over the next 5 years, as I continue to learn more and more, I'll be able to abandon destructive patterns and follow the best course of action in every situation.

Topic #2: Nervous System Regulation

I first got interested in how to regulate my nervous system a few months ago.

My soul sisters introduced me to it—and since then, I have learned a lot about the importance of feeling safe in your body through maintaining a routine, mindfulness practices, moving your body, and proper nourishment.

Topic #3: Uncovering Your Soul's Mission

I also have an interest in learning more about astrology, the lunar nodes in particular, to uncover my soul's mission.

It's one of those fun rabbit holes I find myself exploring simply because I enjoy the adventure and unraveling the mysteries along the way.

It would be great to connect with other people who are interested in these same topics—so if any of the above resonates, feel free to reach out!

I recently signed up for Dickie Bush & Nicolas Cole's cohort-based course, Ship 30 for 30 🚢

Here are a few reasons why:

1. To practice being consistent 

2. To practice taking action over perfectionism

3. To organize my thoughts and express ideas with clarity 

Over the next 30 days, I plan on writing about self-love, personal growth, and spirituality.

👉 Join me on this adventure by following me—and let me know if you have any questions, comments, or feedback along the way!

I'm soul excited to start sharing my insights and knowledge with you.