Finding what makes us feel alive often seems elusive in our fast-paced lives. We rush from one task to the next, seldom pausing to consider what ignites our deepest passions. Yet, there are moments when an activity or experience cuts through the monotony and reveals a profound sense of vitality and purpose. These moments define our true callings and offer a glimpse into what it means to live fully. Martha Graham’s journey from frustration to groundbreaking dance illustrates how such moments can transform our lives, guiding us toward our most authentic selves. Exploring these revelatory experiences can illuminate the path to our most fulfilling existence.
The Moment of Awakening
Many of us feel like something is missing, unable to put a name to that internal void. For some, it’s a subtle discomfort; for others, it’s a deep-rooted frustration that emerges from an inability to fully express themselves. Martha Graham’s story is profound revelation—a moment when an entire world of possibility opened up to her. Before discovering dance, Graham’s sense of disconnection stemmed from a frustration with language.
Words, she felt, were inadequate. They failed to capture the depth and nuance of her feelings. This is a universal experience for many individuals: we often yearn for a way to articulate complex emotions and ideas, but language is a limited tool. Words are static, confined by their structure and meaning, while emotions are fluid, multifaceted, and constantly shifting.
Graham’s frustration was not simply intellectual. It was emotional, and it demanded an outlet. She needed a form of expression that could bypass the limits of verbal communication and reach directly into the heart of her experiences. When she first saw a dance performance, it was as if the heavens parted and revealed something she had been searching for her entire life.
She watched in awe as the dancer conveyed powerful and raw emotions that words would have seemed redundant. The movement was a language unto itself, one that spoke directly to the soul. It wasn’t about mastering a technique but about expressing something universal, primal, and deeply human.
For Graham, this was not just a moment of artistic appreciation but a revelation about herself. In the fluidity of movement, she recognized her unexpressed feelings and desires. The dancers on stage weren’t just performing for an audience; they were speaking to the very essence of who Graham was. This was more than just a discovery of dance—it was the discovery of her vocation. Dance, for Graham, became the language that allowed her to fully express herself. It allowed her to explore the depths of her emotions and communicate on a level that words never could.
This awakening was more than just an interest—it was a calling. Dance provided Graham with a way to tap into a powerful force within her that had been lying dormant. That is the power of discovering what makes you feel alive. It’s not just about the activity itself; it’s about the realization that something inside you connects with it on an almost spiritual level. It’s about discovering a pathway to authenticity, where your true self is free to express its deepest desires and emotions.
The Peak of Your Being
The phrase “peak of your being” implies reaching a state of heightened awareness, where you feel fully aligned with your inner self and your external actions. It’s that rare, transcendent experience when everything in your life seems in perfect harmony. It’s when you are operating at the highest potential of your abilities when the flow of energy between mind, body, and spirit is seamless. In these moments, time seems to stand still. Your actions feel effortless, and you are completely immersed in the experience. This is the peak of your being—the state where you are most alive.
However, achieving this state is not something that simply happens by chance. It requires intentional action, self-awareness, and a willingness to put in the necessary effort. The Daily Law encourages us to actively seek activities that elevate us to this peak. But what does that look like in practice? First and foremost, it means engaging in activities that challenge us in deeply meaningful ways. These activities are not necessarily easy or comfortable; they often require us to push past boundaries, confront fears, and take risks. But in doing so, they unlock a sense of purpose and fulfillment far more rewarding than comfort.
The distinction between effort and ease disappears at the peak of your being. You are not struggling to complete a task but flowing through it. This feeling of effortless engagement can be found in various domains: a musician lost in the rhythm of their instrument, an athlete in the middle of a race, or an artist deeply absorbed in their craft. In these moments, there is no separation between self and action. You are one with your work, your body, your environment.
Reaching this peak requires you to continuously step outside of your comfort zone. It demands that you confront your weaknesses and acknowledge your strengths. But most importantly, it asks that you stay committed to your growth. The more you engage in the activities that push you to your limits, the more frequent these peak experiences will become. Martha Graham’s peak was found in the art of dance. But for others, the peak may lie in writing, painting, or building something. The important thing is to identify what makes you feel most alive and fully immerse yourself in that pursuit.
Mastery: Discover Your Calling
Mastery is often seen as the end goal—the destination you reach after years of hard work and dedication. However, mastery is not just about achieving proficiency or skill; it’s about discovering your true calling and fully immersing yourself in it. The path to mastery begins with self-discovery and exploration. It is a journey of trial and error, where you test various activities, interests, and passions until you find the one that resonates most deeply with you. For many people, this part of the journey feels the most uncertain. You may try several different things, none of which satisfy you fully. But this is all part of the process.
The search for your calling is not always straightforward. It requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to fail and try again. It means taking risks, stepping outside the boundaries of what you know, and being open to new experiences. Every time you explore something new, you learn something valuable about yourself. The key to discovering your calling is not in avoiding failure but embracing it as a necessary part of growth.
Once you find that one thing—whether it’s dance, writing, business, or something else entirely—you begin the process of mastery. Mastery is not a destination but a continual journey of refinement. It involves honing your skills, expanding your knowledge, and pushing yourself to improve. But it also requires a deep connection to your passion. Mastery is about doing what you love and doing it to continually grow and evolve.
Graham’s journey to mastery was not just about learning to dance; it was about inventing a new form of dance that would forever change the art form. She didn’t simply follow in the footsteps of others; she broke new ground and forged a path of her own. Her mastery was more than technical skill; it was about personal transformation and revolutionizing an entire art form. The same can be said for anyone who pursues their calling. True mastery comes when you dedicate yourself fully to your craft, continuously striving for excellence while staying true to your authentic self.
Finding Aliveness Every Day
Aliveness is often associated with intense, extraordinary experiences—moments of great achievement, excitement, or joy. But in reality, aliveness can be found in life’s small, everyday moments. It’s not about waiting for a life-changing event to make you feel alive; it’s about cultivating a mindset that allows you to experience aliveness regularly. The key is mindfulness. Be present when you engage in the activities that matter most to you. Don’t let the distractions of daily life pull you away from the moment. Whether working on a project, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing a hobby, it’s about fully immersing yourself in the experience.
Finding aliveness every day means making a conscious effort to engage with what brings you joy, what challenges you, and what inspires you. It might not always come in grand gestures or achievements, but it will always come from within. The more you tune into your passions and make time for them, the more often you’ll feel that rush of aliveness. This is how you create a fulfilling and meaningful life—by consistently engaging in what makes you feel connected to your authentic self.
For some, aliveness may be found in creativity—painting, writing, or playing music. For others, it could be physical activity, like running or dancing. Still, for others, aliveness might be found in connecting with others, whether it’s through meaningful conversations or shared experiences. It’s about recognizing the activities that make you feel engaged, inspired, and energized and making them a regular part of your life. Over time, these moments add up, creating a life rich in meaning and purpose.
By identifying the things that make you feel most alive and intentionally incorporating them into your routine, you begin to shape a vibrant and fulfilling life. Don’t wait for a specific event or achievement to feel alive—create those moments every day, and you will find yourself living a life that feels truly worth living.
Personal Reflection: What Makes You Feel More Alive
Daily Law: Do something that makes you feel at the peak of your being today.
From Mastery, I: Discover Your Calling—The Life’s Task
I love writing and public speaking. In college, I used to do these activities on weekends. I used to look forward to the weekend for the opportunity to go to a Toastmasters meeting or to find the time to write. That’s when I was the happiest and at the peak of my being.
One of my friends who loves to paint told me they paint for 3-4 hours on Thursdays. They wait for the entire week to pass, just waiting for the time they get to paint. They told me they were miserable at their job and painting was what made them happy.
For the last two to three years, I have made it a point to schedule some time daily for reading, writing, or public speaking. I attend dance classes on the weekends, write blog articles, and continue reading one book a week. This is how I feed my soul and stay focused throughout the week.
Using my own experience, I advised my friend to try to schedule time to indulge in the arts somehow. That way, they will have something to look forward to each day and be at the peak of their being.
It is worth asking what the point is of doing things that make you miserable by sacrificing things that make you happy. Find time for something that makes you feel happy, rejuvenates you, and helps you focus and reach the peak of your being.
Go to the gym or for a run. You could sing or dance. It could be anything. But whatever it is, do something today that helps you get in peak performance mode so you can do your duty in the best possible way.
Conclusion
Discovering what makes us feel most alive is not merely about finding a fulfilling activity; it is about uncovering a deeper connection to ourselves and our passions. Martha Graham’s evolution from a frustrated child to a revolutionary dancer underscores the transformative power of engaging in what truly resonates with our inner selves.
By actively seeking out and embracing these peak experiences, we enrich our lives and contribute more meaningfully to the world around us. Embracing our true callings can lead to a more vibrant, purposeful existence, revealing what it means to live life to its fullest.
This article is a part of the Reflections on The Daily Laws Series based on Robert Greene’s book.