Saturday, June 7, 2025

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Expanded Meaning:
This quote is a gentle but powerful reminder to prioritize what nourishes your soul. To feel alive is to experience a sense of presence, passion, purpose, and connection. It's that spark you feel when you're doing something that resonates deeply—whether that's creating, helping others, learning, exploring, or simply being with people who uplift you.

Hafiz is encouraging us to notice what enlivens us—and then to intentionally stay near it. That could be environments that inspire you, people who light you up, or pursuits that challenge and fulfill you. Life can easily become a series of obligations, but this quote calls us back to vitality. It says: follow your energy, not your fear; your aliveness, not just your responsibilities.

When we consistently make space for what makes us feel alive, we grow more engaged, authentic, and resilient. Aliveness isn’t about constant excitement—it’s about being connected to something meaningful.

Context and Origin:
This quote is commonly attributed to Hafiz of Shiraz, a 14th-century Persian poet and mystic known for his lyrical poetry exploring divine love, joy, beauty, and spiritual ecstasy. However, this specific quote, "Stay close to anything that makes you feel alive," does not appear in direct English translations of Hafiz’s original work.

It’s more likely a modern paraphrase or interpretation inspired by Hafiz’s themes, particularly those found in Daniel Ladinsky’s popular adaptations of Hafiz. Ladinsky’s renderings take creative liberties to bring the spirit of Hafiz to modern readers, often prioritizing emotional truth over literal translation. This line fits perfectly within that modernized Hafizian ethos—urging the reader to pursue what enlivens the soul and deepens their experience of life.

Takeaway:
Use your inner aliveness as a compass. What energizes you? What makes you lose track of time in the best way? These aren’t just indulgences—they're signs pointing toward your purpose, your joy, and your most vibrant life. The more you follow them, the more aligned, content, and fulfilled you'll become.

🔗 Short Resource List: Staying Close to What Makes You Feel Alive

1. Book: The Gift: Poems by Hafiz the Great Sufi Master
   Translated by Daniel Ladinsky
   A popular and emotionally resonant collection of Hafiz’s poetry that celebrates joy, love, and spiritual vitality.
   

2. TED Talk: The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown
   Explores the importance of connection, authenticity, and living wholeheartedly—core elements of feeling alive.
   Watch on TED.com
   
   

3. Book: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
   A guide to embracing creativity and curiosity as pathways to a more vibrant and fulfilling life.
   

4. Podcast: On Being with Krista Tippett
   Features conversations with artists, poets, and spiritual thinkers about meaning, joy, and what it means to be fully alive.
   Visit onbeing.org

5. Reflection Exercise: "The Energy Audit"
   List the people, places, and activities that energize you vs. those that drain you. Use this to make intentional changes in your daily life.