Patrick hails from Ontario, Canada, and can be reached via Facebook.

Tell us about a deep soul connection that you’ve experienced. There are two deep soul connections that stand out to me. The first was about 12 years ago where I lived out in the country. I awoke about 3 am, and instantly felt this aliveness that I had never felt before in my life. I got dressed and walked into the backyard, where the wind was blowing through the trees on a early autumn morning. I could feel my heart pumping so loud. I could feel the Great Intelligence inside of me so clearly. In that moment, I was the wind, trees, grass, everything. I was connected!

My second experience was with my cat. I was awakened one morning by the tickling of my nose, from the paw of my cat. She was on my chest, and the second I opened my eyes, I looked into hers and felt this incredible connection with her. There was a knowing and understanding between us that transcended words. I sat there for minutes communicating with her, with my higher self. I know it sounds crazy, but that is how I would describe it.

When do you feel your most soulful? I feel the most soulful when I’m running. I remember the first time i started running. I was 11 years old and on a trip to Cape Breton. My uncle challenged me to a race up a big hill. He beat me that day, but I won the discovery of a new love. From that moment on, I was like Forrest Gump. If I was going anyplace, I was running there. Sadly, I lost my interest in running in high school when girls and the arcade grabbed my attention.

You know, there is a saying in running called a “second wind”. It’s when we are running and we’re tired, and all of a sudden, we get our wind back and keep going. I believe this applies to my life today. I have gotten my second wind and am moving forward again. I believe the body is most natural when it’s running, and i am grateful to have found my wind again.

Describe one of the most soulful people you’ve ever known. The answer is easy: my Mom & Dad. I wish the technology existed where you could touch this dot * and feel everything I feel towards my parents. The love they have shown me. The kindness and understanding, when I thought I knew it all at the ripe old age of 16. The space and freedom to make choices for myself, as well as my fair share of mistakes.

Both my parents are in 12-step programs, my father for 35 years. They have done so much work and healing on themselves and I have been the beneficiary of their changes. I am who I am in large part because of my parents, and I am grateful beyond words. I can say that I am a good person because of them.

What qualities do you feel a soulful relationship has? I believe a soulful relationship is first, about being yourself 100%. I use to feel that I had to lose weight, or let go of a habit, or be perfect in some way, before I was acceptable to another. I now know that is not true. If i was perfect, why would I need a soulmate? A soulmate to me is someone who takes me as I am—with all my flaws and imperfections—and I her. Communication is so very important as well. I am an open person and believe in sharing my thoughts and feelings even if it’s not what the other person wants to hear. Passion is now big on my list. I have been in relationships where there was little passion. I love to touch and be touched, and just having someone to put my arms around is such a beautiful feeling.

And of course, who could forget friendship. Our bodies and looks do change overtime, and I know that when I’m old and in my rocking chair, I want to look over at my best friend, grab her hand and say, “I Love You”.

What do you feel your soul’s purpose is? I believe with all my heart that my soul’s purpose is to be love and to love others. There is so much power in loving and forgiving people, including ourselves. When you give love to another, whether it be a compliment or a hug, when it’s done with love, it makes all the difference.

One more thing. I’d like to share my favorite quote, by Marianne Williamson from A Return to Love:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

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