There is an old legend about a precious treasure of the purest gold that is the very radiance of humanity. Once upon a time, all human beings knew that they were divine and lived as gods. Some lived well, while others abused their divinity so much that the chief god and chief goddess decided to take away the knowledge of their godly light and hide it where it could never be found, but could be discovered.

With the tremendous task of hiding humankind’s divinity, a council of gods and goddesses gathered to provide sound counsel on where to hide the golden, divine light.

“Let’s bury it deep in the earth,” said the gods. But the chief goddess answered, “No, that will not do, because humans will dig and destroy Mother Earth until they find it.”

Then the gods said, “Let’s sink it in the deepest ocean.” But the chief god said, “No, that will not do, for the humans will learn to dive into the ocean and dwell on her sweet surface without regard.”

Then the goddesses said, “Let’s take it to the top of the highest mountain and hide it there.” But once again, the chief god replied, “No, that will not be enough either, because the humans will eventually climb every mountain on every continent in an endless quest to conquer.”

Then the gods and goddesses gave up and decided to let the question sit without an answer, saying, “We do not know where to hide it, because it seems that there is no place on earth or in the sea that human beings would not invade.”

They sat for a long time and then sat some more, until the answer was obvious and presented itself. The chief god and goddess recognized the answer and shared it with all: “We will hide the humans’ divinity deep in the center of their own hearts, in the truthful radiance of who they are—for humans will never think to look for it there.”

All the gods and goddesses agreed that this was the most remarkable hiding place, and so it was. And since that time, humans have felt deep within themselves a never-ending quest to understand and unleash the treasure that reside within. We continue to go up and down the earth, digging, diving, climbing and exploring—searching for our inner gold.

We have all felt that call at some point in our lives or another. We may have looked up from the distraction of our phones and devices to pause for a moment and wonder if all of this busyness is truly our destiny, or if there is something greater possible with our lives.

This issue of 24Life is a gathering of explorers and field guides intended to help you in your search. Lauren Zander, on our cover, is beguiling and a trusted guide. She founded the Handel Group, a world-renowned and highly respected life coaching and corporate consulting company. The Handel Method is designed to strategically and systematically put you on a path toward realizing your personal and professional visions. Their newest offering—Inner U,a 12-week online journey led by Zander—is designed to help you “human” better from wherever you are.

Also in this issue, stories of courage for those who are committed to the journey, from those who have endured some wild seas along the way. Tan France, Jake Glaser, Ariel Kiley and Lauren Walker are incredible humans who share their personal stories as beacons of light that inspire and guide all of us forward.

And while you enjoy the treasures of summer, don’t abandon your commitment to your health and fitness—it is hard to feel like a good human when you feel bad. Move your body, eat well, get a good night of sleep and manage your energy well. Find tips for all of this and more in this issue.

Remember, that which you seek also is seeking you. It is the way of the world. Summer is full of opportunities for adventure that stirs our soul, as well as moments that pull us into a state of awe. These moments are portals to understanding what we want and ultimately, who we truly are. Getting clear requires getting still, to discern that what is deep within your heart is the secret key to a happy, healthy life. It is worth the effort. May you enjoy your summer and may it be well-spent discovering and uncovering that which you love—and may you find your gold.

Lashaun Dale is 24Life’s editor in chief. Follow her on Instagram @lashaundale

Video credit: maradek, Getty Images
Photo credit: Hanna-Kaisa Sulonen, Unsplash

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