Alicia:

Hello, and welcome to Soul of a Leader Podcast, where we ignite soulful conversations with leaders. On today’s episode, Dr. Alicia and Dr. Eileen sit with the founder of The Purpose Fairy, Luminita Saviuc, to discuss leading with your soul as God’s children.

 

Eileen:

Hello, today we have Luminita Saviuc, who is the Purpose Fairy. I have been following her since 2012, and it’s been a pleasure reading her blogs, listening to her podcasts now that she’s expanded on, and also her book. So I want to share a little bit about Luminita. She’s an author, she’s a blogger, she’s a podcast host. She’s an artist at heart, and she’s a child of God, being of light, lover of life and all things divine. She’s the author of the book, 15 Things You Should Give Up to be Happy: An Inspiring Guide to Discovering Effortless Joy. She’s a blogger at purposefairy.com, and really, you should subscribe to that. I read it almost every day when I get the emails. She says her ID is God, and it’s a true story. And I would like to start with that, so if you could tell me, what’s behind the true story of your ID with God?

 

Luminita Saviuc:

Ever since I was a kid, in my family, nobody, my grandma and grandpa, they were close to God, but in my family, my parents, we didn’t really have something like that. And really close to my home, there’s this monastery which is like 400 years old. And we have this saying: and only God knows how. When I was a kid, when we had trouble, that was quite often, I would just go there. And as a kid, I didn’t realize what I was doing. You just go there and pray, and then seeing my grandma, she was a really religious person, she was so close to God, I guess that kind of got ingrained in me. And even though in my family, my parents, nobody went to church, and they didn’t have a close relation to God, I kind of, probably by observation, I saw my grandma, and the love grew.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

And as time went by, I kind of distanced myself, and placed different names. And I was like, oh, God is kind of old fashioned. All these books right now, you have to be modern. And I kind of went, let’s say away from that idea, God. But then in the last, I think when I started writing the book, something happened, because I feel like all the wounds that I thought, oh, I’m healed, everything is done, they came to the surface. And I felt like the whole hell unleashed on me. And I felt like the whole earth was swallowing me, and I felt so abandoned and alone. But that’s when I went through such a long dark night of the soul, and I feel like that’s when this wound, I felt like this wound that was so deep, and so old, and I felt abandoned by God.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

And even though I thought, oh, I don’t really need God, I just felt like that was the deepest wound that I had. And I was, I remember, crying and feeling so alone. But somehow, I don’t know, even though I felt like, oh, He betrayed me, He abandoned me, it felt like an unseen hand was leading me and guiding me. And I felt like there was nobody, I was all alone in the dark, and walking and walking. And now I don’t know, God knows if I’m completely out or not. I just felt like there was a hand of God and kind of like leading me. And even though I was so mad and now look what you did to me, because I was so happy. I left this world behind this life that I had because I felt guided to come and leave it behind and follow this path and you brought me here and you, what did you do? You only brought suffering onto me and darkness.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

Right? And going through the fear I realized that it’s like, this is the most sacred and the most beautiful relationship we have. And I can’t really explain it in words. It’s just an inner knowing. You just know that God is your mother. God is your father. Even  right now when I say this, I get goosebumps. It’s everything that you need. And this world, all that you see, it’s temporary. But that, that is eternal. And that is the truth of you. And even right now, what I’m saying this I just feel like surrendering back. God, I just surrender. So for me, it’s just an inner knowing and it’s an experience. You can use words, but I feel like it’s so much bigger than that. I think that’s our nature and that’s our origin.

 

Alicia:

Yeah. And I like what you say, Luminita. It’s something about, what I was listening to is a transformation that happens. And oftentimes in a process of transformation, we seem to think that His presence is not with us. That’s the first natural state that often people feel. We feel like, oh, okay, I’m going to go in another direction, I’m not going to do the God, I’m not going to go to church and all of that. And we do that when we’re younger, in our teens, because for some reason at that time of our age, and sometimes it can happen later in age, we think, oh, we got another direction that’s better.

 

Alicia:

But what is amazing about what I hear, He never left you. You said something about, you could still feel something guiding you. Because in His word he says, I would never, never, never leave you nor I will forsake you. He will allow us to go off, to think that it’s something better, and to let us find out that it’s not anything better than His presence in our life or His hand on everything that we are doing in our lives. And so He was just really directing you to today.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

Come back to me. Yeah.

 

Alicia:

Yes, yes, yes. Yeah. That’s pretty good. So I have a question for you. When you think about where we are and today’s time, specifically for women, how important is a faith in a shared vision when you are a woman leading, maybe your organization or getting ready to write a book and you have a team, how important is your faith when it comes to a shared vision?

 

Luminita Saviuc:

I feel like your faith is important in everything, in everything you do. I think the way I see it everybody is a leader. And I think it’s so important to go with Him and just trust your inner voice and trust that whatever it is that you were put here to do, God will provide and He will lead the way and you will know what to do. And the way I see it, I mean, I got some hate because of this, because in a way where I am right now, I feel like women, men, women, racist, for me, it’s beginning to dissolve. Like honestly, I just see we are all souls and this is a big family. And what is all this color? What is all this gender? We just need to work together and realize that we’re in this together, you know? And in sweet harmony, to just play it and dance with each other and not be like, oh, I’m black, I’m white, I’m female, male, because this is just division.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

And with God there is no division, it’s just oneness. Right? Where there’s darkness there’s separation, right? And all this creates a lot of chaos. So I don’t see that. I just feel like, just trust your inner guidance and do whatever you need to do and trust that things will unfold and God will lead the way. Everything that you do is important. No matter if you see as big or small, whether you are just the mom at home, raising your children, everything matters, it’s just the love that you put into it. I feel like that’s the most important thing.

 

Eileen:

Many realize that we have God next to us. Some think it as earlier like, oh my gosh, God’s not here. How can we, or how do you, being the Purpose Fairy, try to educate or coach or share your story on getting through those struggles to really get to your purpose in life? And realize the path that you’ve gone has gotten to where you were at, and you’re going to still grow. This life is about growing and helping and serving. So could you share a little insight about that? How you kind of stretched?

 

Luminita Saviuc:

That’s such an amazing question. Okay. I feel like we are constantly growing, right? It’s just a matter of us being aware of this or not, and seeing whatever has happened to us as something that is meant for our growth and the liberation from all this nonsense, darkness, fears, and illusions, or just like life punishing us. And it’s so interesting because I feel like it’s so important to just take responsibility, you know? Just own whatever is happening to you. I know people sometimes say it’s like, well, this abuse, I didn’t create this, but we just really don’t know. We can’t see the bigger picture of things.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

We are just like a tiny drop in the ocean. And I think that’s why humility is so important. I don’t really understand why this is happening, but please guide me. And even if you don’t believe in God, ask question, why is it that I’m here? What am I supposed to do with my life? Somebody, something, please guide me. Because people, they have some, I had them, and I’m still healing these wounds with God. Why? Because God was used and abused. And like Nietzsche said, God is dead. Right? What people did in the name of God, I don’t know, they created a God and then they create all this mess around it. People have so many wounds around that. And I think I just ask question and just trust, because life will guide you. It will guide you.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

I remember many years ago I was listening, it was almost 20 years ago I think, I was listening to some proverbs, I got to change my life, I got to change my life. And he’s like, you have to know your purpose, there was this guy saying in the program. And I’m like, my purpose? I don’t even know my purpose. And he was, if you don’t know your purpose, make it your purpose to know your purpose. And I was like, okay, I can do that. Yeah. Because sometimes, you don’t know. So I was like, I can figure it out. Help me. Something, somebody, help me, ask question, just start there, because not everybody is close to God. Not everybody has their faith. And as you move closer and closer, as your faith strengthens, just go within and just, please God, lead the way. Please show me what am I supposed to do.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

In troubles and tribulations, draw near to God. You know? Just have faith. You say have faith, but it’s an experience, right? You have to, you fall, you get up, you fall, you get up and the trust is being built. It’s not like, okay, how faith, okay, I’ll have faith. And if you can step back, because there’s so much happening all around us, just step back and calm yourself down, just place your hands on your heart and just breathe for a few seconds. And then things, they just start to fall into place. And you begin to feel, actually it’s not that chaotic. Actually I have a safe place within my heart, actually from this place I can hear things, I can see things. I can trust that, maybe I don’t see it on the outside, but inside me, I just feel like something’s right. Something is good.

 

Alicia:

So listening to you, it really is inspirational. Because the connection is there. But it’s that inner peace. Because what I believe is, your spiritual connection is an individual relationship with God. And so no one else on the outside can ever measure that. It’s only between you and God. And so I like that your purpose is to find your purpose. That’s your purpose. The purpose is to find what your purpose is if you don’t know what that is. And the only way you find your purpose in life, is you have to connect within. It’s that soul connection with God to understand what’s my purpose in life.

 

Alicia:

He has given us all unique gifts and talents for a purpose on the time that we have. And we all don’t know the expiration date, but we do know He is the one who gives us the purpose. And so, with that question, how do you feel about leading with your soul when you have to, and I don’t know if you have to go into corporate America or nonprofit, how do you feel that you can be your authentic self and lead with your soul? Because we know that when you go to work, there’s a level of business you have to take care of. How do you connect and make sure your spirituality is still intact as you’re leading with your soul? So how do you connect or do that?

 

Luminita Saviuc::

I feel it’s very important to have strong values and virtues. Like what do you stand for? Because if you stand firm in that you will know. Like for example, recently something in my building, they want to put this, anyway, there’s this situation. And I said no, and it’s only me. That’s what I’ve been told. That it’s only me in the building who said no. And why did I say no? Because I feel it in my heart that it’s not right for the health of all people involved and for the community, it’s not. And people were mad because, oh, it will cost them money. They lose money because they received money to get that thing, have it there. Right? But it’s just a tiny portion. And I said, no. And of course you have people hating you. Because I felt like they were neighbors or friends, right now I feel this kind of this weird vibe.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

And I’m like, I’m sorry, but I stand for something. And I feel like when I present myself in front of God, did you stand for, what were your values? What did I teach you? Because you have this, they are within you. It’s not like when we were created, everything was placed within our heart. And if you stand for, if you’re aligned with that, you know, and if you know your values, hey, I stand for truth, I stand for integrity, you don’t get swayed. And even if I don’t know, people don’t like it, you just trust. You just trust. I remember [inaudible 00:14:36] was saying that one of his friends attended his seminar, and after this retreat  his life fell apart. And he was like, what’s going on, because you told me that my life is going to get better.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

She’s like, do not freak out. Don’t worry. Right now you’re stepping into the unknown, just have faith. And he was saying how that’s when he met, because he was divorced, he met his new wife, after that he got a better job. So you just have to have faith. Because if you don’t have that, you’re going to betray yourself, you’re going to fall into like, oh, it’s so easy to be manipulated. If you don’t have high virtues and values, you’re going to be manipulated. You’re going to fall into the trap of, all money all the time, no, I don’t care. Even if like, I’m not going to have it. Nobody’s going to start, come on. People are kind. You’re always going to have food. God will take care of you. Story of Job.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

 No, no. Just stand by what you believe in. And if you don’t believe in something, well, it’s time to start believing. Stand firm. What are your core values? What are your virtues and stand firm in that? Because if not, as the wind blows, you’re going to go like that. If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.

 

Alicia:

Anything. Absolutely.

 

Eileen:

Well, and Luminita, it’s so nice that you share that, because Alicia and I created Soul of a Leader value card decks. Because when I talk or coached people, sometimes they don’t know what their values are. Right? And I think as you talk about your values, having words in front of you to help reinforce them and continue living on them and keeping the guard rails about your life makes a big difference.

 

Eileen:

And we’ve been pretty successful with selling these. And the reason is that people may use them and then realize their words, right, and say, okay, those are my core values. And then I say every day, just pick out a card. If it says compassion, focus on that intention for the day, for compassion. So I’m so glad you mentioned that, because we believe that for people to be on purpose, they have to know their values. And then earlier you said something about leading with your heart. And your values are in your heart and of course your faith in God. And there’s a quote that we, we use a lot from Proverbs. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything flows from it.” Okay?

 

Alicia:

Absolutely. I like when you said, when you don’t have values and you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. And you wave, you just go back and forth. And what I kept visualizing, I was smiling, you tend to be in a very confused state. Because you’re looking for something that will give you a solid ground and there’s nothing. And that was intentional by God. He doesn’t want anything to replace where you come to, to substantiate where you feel the most peace and love. And that’s withHim. Number one. And He is the one that gives that, that solidness. You know He says like a rock, ya know?  That’s how His word is. That’s how His presence is. It’s so solid. So you don’t have to go anywhere else because you’re going to wave. You’re going to go back and forth and back and forth.

 

Alicia:

And so when you were saying that, I can visualize when I was younger. Didn’t know, 16, 17, 18, 19, all when you were young and you just never knew what you wanted to do. But I got a very good glimpse when you said that. That’s why I was always confused, not sure what to do, where to go, what do I want to be. And it wasn’t until I started getting in my early twenties or mid twenties, understanding that, you know what, I need to have something more solid. And that was God.

 

Alicia:

And the growth in my mid twenties until now has been a consistent relationship with something I know that is never ending, that would never let me down, that would never leave me, and that’s the relationship and His love and His presence. And so really just listening to you, I got that glimpse, but I want to ask this question because I know we got to, first of all, this conversation is really good.

 

Eileen:

It sure is. We’re so excited. It’s like where the connections are just going here, so thank you.

 

Alicia:

Oh, absolutely. Yes. How do you challenge others to be their best? How do you challenge others to be their best?

 

Luminita Saviuc:

I feel like I’m challenging them just by being myself. Like this is not cocky, like honestly, I see it in my family, I see my friends and the people around me. Just by being myself, I’m constantly just reinforcing who I truly am and just walking more firmly. When I step it’s God stepping with me and right here, I’m just following Him and you get stronger, because God makes you stronger, right? I feel like it’s just following His direction and His words and trusting that and you change. It changes you, don’t even try to change. It just changes and it molds you and it shapes you. And then people see that. What is up with her? What is she doing? And I’m like, this is me.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

And I don’t ever say, I feel like through the energy and body to the person you’re becoming, you just challenge everybody, listen, we have to rise up. We have to stand for something that is bigger than us, bigger than what we once knew to be true in our past, and our fears, everything, it is possible. And I embody that. I feel like the best evidence to people that things can change, is yourself. You embody that. Because you can use all these words, right? But it’s the energy you bring in the person you are becoming constantly. There is how you challenge them. And that’s how you change the people around them. Because if you’re not changing and just using big words, they’re like, they know that you’re a [inaudible 00:20:59] and you know, you’re just playing with it.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

So I see that in my family. It’s not always easy because sometimes, Oh my God, things get so crazy and weird and they feel like you’re betraying them, abandoning them. But you have to remind yourself, listen, for me, the most important relationship with God, with God, with God. Because I mean this is temporary, we all come and go, but God is eternal and my soul is eternal. So I have to be true to that. And it is not always easy. God knows. Sometimes I feel like, oh my God, are you kidding me? This is too intense. But you have to do that. Becoming yourself and all God created you to be, I feel like that’s the greatest challenge you can throw out there to people.

 

Eileen:

And if you live in that presence or in that alignment and that faith and values, others will see it. Your energy is high and they may role model you or say, gosh, you know what, what she’s talking about is right. And what I feel you’re doing, and I’m going to use this analogy which you’ll probably laugh, you’re the purpose ferry, right? You are sprinkling glitter around to make your role model on how people should live in a picture. I don’t want to use the word should because that’s not a good word. I would say role modeling and imaging the likeness of what God would like us to be on Earth. And that you cannot change. Because if we are connected with Him, we will move forward and we will move others forward and we will move this earth forward in love and leading with our heart. So thank you so much for sharing that.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

I actually have a, let me share a quick story. Because there’s this beautiful monk, here at the monastery very close to where I grew up. And for me, he is a Saint. And it’s proof that sometimes you don’t really need words to change people. Because there were times when I would go to him, I’m like, oh my God, so torn apart and disturbed and fearful and stress and sad, and he was just, he would just sit there and create space for me to just feel those feelings, to express it. And he would not even say a single word, not a single word. And I would just stay there, just kind of like surrender and bathe in that beautiful love and compassion. And then at the end I feel like I have the most conversation ever, and he didn’t even say a word. And that’s why I understood that it’s not words. It’s our energy is the energy we breathe that changes. This is what truly changes.

 

Eileen:

Yes. Yes. And it’s funny, there was an article you wrote putting a cross up above your door from a monastery and both Alicia and I did it.

 

Alicia:

Yes. Oh yes. And mine is still on the door.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

Mine too.

 

Eileen:

Mine is still there too. And I shared that with many other people. So know that your seed from that article went to hundreds of people. Just, again, it’s energy. It’s not words. It’s doing, it’s actions, and that’s one of your seeds. So thank you. Thank you for sharing that story because it is about energy. Thank you.

 

Alicia:

So as we get ready to end, and we always like to ask our guests, what are some words of wisdom that you would like to leave with our listeners? And I know we have shared a lot of wisdom, so I know you have plenty more. And I know that this is a moment where, that seed you will impart through your wisdom, so when the listeners can listen at any given time, they can go back and say let me listen to the words of wisdom by Luminita.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

Okay. If I would have to say this, like I would say like as a friend, my best friend was in front of me, I would say, your only business is, and the most important work here in the world is for you to please God. And when I say God, it’s not somewhere out there. It’s the God within you, the part of you that is so Holy and so whole and divine, and that knows why you’re here, your value, your worth. And it’s not dependent on anything you do external. If you can just tune into that and just look in your heart.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

It’s not always going to be easy. You’re going to fall, you’re going to cry, you’re going to doubt yourself. But constantly draw near to God and God is within you. And it’s written in the Bible, the kingdom of God is within you, just go within and just ask for guidance and trust that God will lead a way. You’re not alone. He will never abandon you, he will never leave you alone. Even though sometimes it may appear like that. Just constantly draw near to God, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and just pray, meditate, whatever you have to do, but just close your eyes and trust that you’re not alone and that He will lead the way.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

And the moment you do that and just forget about what your senses are telling you, what people around you, what the world, even if it’s chaos, madness, if you just learn to walk by faith, not by sight, as Saint Paul said it so beautifully, you will eventually find the strength and confidence to surrender your whole self and your whole life to God. And when you do that, oh my God, the wonderful things that will happen to you and the wisdom that will flow out of your mouth and the beautiful people that will come into your life and the blessing that will pour onto you. And you don’t even have to do anything because that’s when you’re God, what God created you to be, life becomes effortless and joyful and easy.

 

Eileen:

Oh my gosh. That is so beautiful. I have goosebumps all over me!

 

Alicia:

I know, I’m just smiling. Yes!

 

Eileen:

You’re on the other side of the world and I can feel that. This is why we’re all connected. We’re all connected. We’re all connected in love. So I cannot thank you enough for your gracious, wonderful conversation we had. And keep planting those seeds because you are changing the world. You are. And I just want to send my love from my heart to you and in gratitude. So thank you.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

Thank you for having me. Your energy, you’re so funny. I feel like it’s with my best friend, I feel like with both of you, when I saw you I just started smiling and laughing and the energy you pull and the questions. Somebody was asking me about investments, how do I know what company to invest? And this mentor told him, you have to invest in companies that have high values and virtue. And it’s like, how do I know which company has high values? You have to have them in order to recognize them.

 

Alicia:

Wow! That’s a good point. You have to have it in order to recognize it.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

It takes a saint to know a saint, it takes a genius to know a genius. Right?

 

Alicia:

Oh my gosh!

 

Eileen:

That’s another words of wisdom.

 

Alicia:

You have to have it in order to recognize them.

 

Luminita Saviuc:

Because if not, it’s worthless. He’s like, who is this person? So I feel like that’s why so many people, even artists, we have like so many geniuses who are misunderstood. Why? Because they were so ahead of their time and so brilliant and so much God was flowing through them that people were in darkness. And they’re like, we don’t even understand you. I don’t know your values. Right? So that’s why it’s important. Know your values, know who created you. God created you. So from there, it’s like, if you don’t know my values, that’s your problem, but God created me. So I know my values. So I kept going, because I serve God and only God.

 

Eileen:

Thank you for joining us on Soul of a Leader podcast. We are igniting a new way of leading with your soul and interviewing ordinary people with extraordinary impact. Thank you for listening to the stories of our leaders who will help and guide you on your leadership journey. For more information on our podcasts, please visit our website at http://www.soulofaleader.com. Thank you for listening.