Interviews on Purpose with guest Nishi Singhal

This weeks perspective is from Nishi Singhal. Nishi works in improving the well-being of communities and has written two children's books on mindfulness. A Friendship Story: Heart & Mind and Heart & Mind: Meet A New Friend. were written to teach kids how to take positive action, live in the present moment, and let go of heavy emotions.

She can be found on instagram @joyparadeco or at joyparade.co

What gives you your sense of purpose in life?

I’ve now come to understand that I am here, having this experience as Nishi Singhal for a reason. So, as I keep waking to a new day, I know that it is for me to continue to experience and learn from life. I get up in the morning because I am curious about what experiences that day will bring me. Living life each day through the context of being curious has expanded the amount of presence, joy, and fulfillment I feel. It keeps me from feeling that life is happening to me but rather that it is happening for me.

How did you come to discover your purpose?

By knowing and understanding myself. By connecting to my voice as opposed to external noise, others’ opinions, societal conditioning, and programmed beliefs. The best way to know and understand myself is to get quiet and still. Yoga, meditation, journaling, and being in nature help me move my awareness to myself from external noises..

How do you connect your purpose to everyday life and work?

Understanding my ‘why’ or intention for all actions. If my intention for going on a walk is to enhance my life experience by being outside, breathing fresh air, and moving my body then I know a walk is the best experience I could give myself. However, if my intention for the walk is to hit a certain number of steps in a day in order to cross off a task on my to-do list, I would pause and get still. Getting caught in the outcome rather than the experience, means I am not aligned with myself.

How do you remain vibrant, encouraged and energized?

Being intentional and present in day-to-day life is very helpful! If my body is feeling low energy, it is only by being present can I allow myself to hear my needs which may in that moment be to nap or eat. These actions would then lead to me feeling energized.

Intention and presence have helped me to be more creative which becomes a virtuous cycle for vibrancy and encouragement.

What is one thing that you do everyday that is a necessity for your success?

Sit still. It can be for two minutes or 120 minutes. It may look different every day – it could be meditation, yoga, journaling, drinking a cup of tea in silence, reading, being outside, or even simply staring out the window at the trees.

Without this stillness, I easily get caught up on the momentum of life without any sense of connection to myself.

Any other thoughts or word of encouragement!?

The phrase, finding your purpose, can feel very overwhelming since it feels like your purpose needs to be something big and fancy. I think we may do lots of big and fancy things in life but your purpose always comes down to: being. Your way of being will be different from mine but understanding your way is a joyous journey!

Thanks for reading!

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