Your Totem Summons Your Deeper Purpose
“The spiral is a theme in my life right now. The spiral is a symbol for my soul journey. The soul is that part of me that is eternal and lives forever.” —Virginia Swain, author of My Soul’s Journey to Redefine Leadership: A New Phoenix Rises from the Ashes of 9/11 (2016).
Have you ever noticed how a single image or object can instantly shift your mood, remind you of your goals, or bring you back to center? That’s the power of having a totem. In this case, a totem isn’t something mystical or far-off—it’s simply a personal symbol you choose to represent your deepest values, strengths, aspirations, or passions. It can connect you with meaning or purpose in a snap.
A totem can be almost anything, as long as it resonates with you. When you carry or look at your totem, it helps you “tune in” to the vibration you want to live from—whether that’s courage, compassion, resilience, or creativity. Over time, it can help you strengthen those qualities and keep them alive in your daily life.
The important thing isn’t what you choose, but what it means to you. It could be a small stone you carry in your pocket, a pendant to wear, or even a photo or sketch pinned above your desk.
For others, it might be a digital image they keep as a phone background. The physical form doesn’t matter—the meaning does. Here are a few examples to spark your imagination:
A lantern – illuminating the path, a reminder that your words (and actions) can light the way for others who are searching for guidance.
An oak tree – symbolizing strength, endurance, and deep roots. Every time you see it, you remember to stay grounded while continuing to grow.
A hummingbird – symbolizing beauty, intelligence, agility, and resilience. It whispers: stay light, move with grace, and find sweetness even in challenges.
A quill pen – perfect for writers, reminding you that your words have power and that your story deserves to be told. And it’s timeless…we still read ancient pages written with quills.
A bridge – symbolizing connection, reminding you that your writing links your experiences with your readers’ hearts and minds.
It’s personal. What inspires one person might not mean much to another. You may find that your totem changes over time as your priorities and passions shift. Some time ago, I started being strongly attracted to spirals, especially in nature (like galaxies, snails and nautiluses, sunflowers). I started reading about how a spiral is actually math: “The spiral, particularly the Fibonacci or logarithmic spiral, allows for efficient use of space, optimized growth, and structural strength.” I don’t have precise words for what seeing a spiral means to me; it’s more of a feeling of resonance and the kind of freedom that life by design provides.
Your totem can spark your creative side. If you’re writing a book or telling your story, your totem can serve as a visual muse. It gives your imagination something to play with, a symbol that opens new associations and metaphors. Your words flow from your deeper self. Many writers and artists keep such symbols close by as a way to stay inspired when the creative energy runs low.
Ask yourself: What do I most want to embody right now? What value, strength, or aspiration feels most alive in me? Then allow an image or symbol to come to mind. Don’t overthink it. The first one that appears may be the right one for this season of your life. It’s also fine to peruse images online and notice if any of them hold your attention in a meaningful way. Once you’ve chosen your totem, give yourself a way to encounter it often. The more you see it, the more it reinforces the qualities you want to live by. And when the time comes to let it go and choose another, do that with gratitude.
A totem is a touchstone for your highest self. It can summon you to move forward, a nudge toward the person you’re becoming and the purpose you’re fulfilling. Why not choose one today and let it inspire your life—and your writing?
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