While teaching business theories and missions statements at the Cayce/Reilly School of Massage and Atlantic University, a thought began to arise... If a business, regardless of size, has a mission statement to help guide them, why don’t we as individuals have personal mission statements to help steer us through the tough times and chaperone us in the good? Just as Cayce recommended that we each follow an Ideal, a personal mission statement should be something we can refer to as a reminder of our direction.

With a well-developed personal mission statement, each of us has the opportunity to explore the purpose of our individual existence and the reasons for our actions. Putting all of who we are into a concise, compelling statement can result in a clear spiritual and personal guidance. Sucher, Nelson & Brown (2013) conducted a research project in which students were encouraged to write a personal mission statement. The students found that writing this statement allowed them to express themselves in a way that they never had before. They found that they were able to “think deeply about their life, clarify what is really important to them, expand their perspectives, identify values, develop a commitment to values, and make daily progress towards long-term goals.” This is exactly the sort of thought-provoking exercise that we need as humans to evolve into the divine beings that we have the capability of being.

Many times Cayce was asked how one could improve their life or how they could be a better person. His answer was almost always focused on the individual’s Ideals. Cayce suggested that if we could identify our spiritual center then we could better remain in alignment with our soul’s purpose. While a personal mission statement is slightly different than Cayce’s Ideals, the purpose is the same, to live in accordance with our higher spiritual self.

Hence, the injunction would be to first find thy ideal, - in the physical, in the mental, in the spiritual; and then so live, so act in thy relationships with and thy dealings with others as to bring to fruition those ideals in the experiences and activities of others.

-- Edgar Cayce reading 2163-1

Have you ever considered writing your own mission statement? Here is your opportunity to gain more insight and to learn more about yourself as a co-creator on this planet. As you begin this practice, remember that this is just the starting point. There is no “carved in stone” phrase that you need to manifest in just one sitting. The best way to approach your first draft is to think of this as something you will edit over and over again over time. If you fall into the pit of writer's block, I suggest that you walk away from your notebook and do something else for an hour, a day, or even a week. Let the influx of information marinate, allow your subconscious to work its magic, and I think you will be surprised by what you can create.

First, as indicated, analyze and study self. Do find thy ideal, physically, mentally, spiritually. Then study to show thyself approved unto that ideal, condemning none; and most of all don't condemn self.

-- Edgar Cayce reading 5154-1 

Let’s get started:

Tools: You will need a journal or a notebook and something to write with.

Step 1: Create a space where you can work undistracted for about an hour. Set up your workstation: lay out your materials, turn on some soft music, plug in an aromatherapy diffuser, use whatever you like so that this journey will be special. You want to be in a space that will keep you focused on this project. If you can allow the outside world to fade away, you will be able to get into a “flow state”—that space where “you can be fully absorbed in something that is meaningful to you.” (Li, Frohna, & Bostwick, 2016)

Step 2: Once you have your space set up, sit down and take time to meditate and quiet the mind and body. With your eyes closed, take no fewer than 10 rounds of deep inhales and exhales. With each breath find a connection to yourself, the materials you will use, to your heart, and to the universe. Use this time to set an intention. Move on when you feel grounded and connected.

Step 3: In your journal, begin writing all of the things in life that are most important to you, identify your core values (Li, Frohna & Bostwick, 2016), note times when your creativity shined through, and/or write down achievements. Take your time and break some larger ideas or concepts into smaller ones. For example, if you write that “family” is important, dissect it a bit more. What about your family is important? Who is important and why? What are the feelings associated with “family”? The more finite you can get your answers, the more significant the mission statement.

Step 4: In reviewing the answers from above, do you see some common themes? Does something, in particular, stand out as very significant? Write those thoughts down. For example: in the previous step you may have dissected “family” into, “I love when my children come over for dinner because I like to cook for them.” Or, “I like laughing with friends. Baking for a friend makes me happy. Spending time with people is an expression of love.”

Step 5: From the ideas written above, choose a few words or phrases that best represent this process. With those words and phrases, begin to construct a statement. Move words and phrases around, add in others, do this until something begins to feel right. Your goal is to answer this question, “What is my personal mission statement?” Example: “My mission is to nurture friends, family, and everyone I meet through love and laughter.”

Q. Why did I come into the earth at this time?

A. That it may be bettered by thy service... That's the purpose of each soul.

-- Edgar Cayce reading 308-3

Your mission statement should represent who you are at your very core when all of the stress, pain, aggravation, and weight of this life are stripped away. The person standing there with all of the grime of the world washed away is pure, in alignment with the universe, and prepared to serve others. The person that remains is the most divine. Who are you at the core? What is your mission?

Li, S.T., Frohna, J.G., Bostwick, S. B. (2016).Using your personal mission statement to INSPIRE and achieve success. Academic Pediatrics, Volume 17, Issue 2, 107 - 109. Retrieved from: https://www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S1876-2859(16)30500-9/fulltext

Sucher, B., Nelson, M., & Brown, D. (2013). An elective course in leader development. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 77(10), 224. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.5688/ajpe7710224