"Don't I know you from somewhere?" the waitress asked me.
It wasn't a line. Before I had a chance to answer, Dominique blurted out, "Oh yes - I went to a lecture you gave at Border's Bookstore a few months ago. I really enjoyed it!"
I thanked Dominique for the acknowledgment and went on with my dinner with some friends. As we were finishing, Dominique approached with a delicious-looking piece of tira misu.
"This is from me; it's on the house," she explained. "I felt so happy to see you and watch you and your friends having a good time. I've had a rough couple of weeks, and seeing you reminded me that I can be happy."
I felt very touched, as if I had received the supreme compliment. Although I usually don't eat dessert, I enjoyed that one - it was filled with love and sincerity.
Dominique's statement was a message to me from God, affirming that I am living in accord with my life's purpose. My goal is to be the light that God created me to be. She found in me what I most want to find in myself. I could not ask for more.
At the Academy Awards ceremony in March, Italian actor Roberto Begnini stole the show when he leaped over the heads of the most prestigious people in Hollywood to receive his Oscar and spout his exuberant acceptance speech. A bonfire of delight and appreciation, Begnini lit up the whole auditorium and touched the hearts of a billion people watching the telecast. As the camera panned the audience, many were moved to tears as they looked upon one who was exuding his true identity as the light of the world.
You and I, as well, are endowed with the same light, and we have no higher purpose than shine it. We can evaluate every thought, feeling and action by one simple criterion: Does this make me brighter, or dimmer? Do I feel more alive doing this, or more dead? Do I feel more expanded and creative, or contracted and numb?
The spirit teacher Abraham advises us to use the affirmation, "Nothing is more important than that I feel good." This is no glib "me-generation" license to act irresponsibly, but a high and holy charge to step up to our highest responsibility as beings of divine light. The feeling good that Abraham refers to is not just a quick sensory rush, but the nourishment of our soul. When we feed our soul, we see clearly, love generously, and remember that life is good and we are good in it. We must be divinely selfish in doing whatever it takes to keep our flame burning at its brightest.
I know of a woman named Alice who was feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, so she went to her guru and told him of her predicament.
"My child," he answered lovingly, "simplify, simplify, simplify. Get rid of the bad and keep the good."
Alice went home and made a list of what was working in her life and what was not. Methodically she released what did not bring her joy, and kept what energized her. Her life changed significantly for the better, and her heart came to greater peace.
A year later Alice again felt burdened and less than fully alive. Again she sojourned to visit her guru, and described her experience. "My dear one," the master told her, "do you not remember what I told you last year? Simplify, simplify, simply. Let go of the good and keep the great."
Alice returned to the world she had built and once again sorted out her life, this time releasing what was merely good, but not great. She decided she would live only from dignity and participate only in those activities she found soul-empowering.
Another year went by, and again Alice felt stuck. Again she flew to her teacher and reported her distress. "My sweet soul," the sage answered, "you have obviously not fully understood my teaching. I want you to go home and really practice, now, and do not return with the same question again. Remember: simplify, simplify, simplify. Let go of the great, and keep only the magnificent."
The purpose of life is not survival - it is celebration. Our destiny is to move to ever greater levels of self-expression and live more and more in harmony with our spiritual Source, which is love and only love. A Course in Miracles asks us to affirm, "Happiness is my function as the light of the world." We must give up forever the notion that God takes any value or pleasure in our suffering. The only thing that makes God happy is our happiness, and when we feel the same way, we truly live as God on earth.

Alan Cohen is the author of many popular inspirational books including the best-selling The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore. To order Alan's new book Handle With Prayer or request a free catalog of Alan's books, tapes and workshops, write to Hay House, P.O. Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018 or call 1-800-462-3013. For info on Alan's Mastery Training in Hawaii, contact 455-A Kukuna Road, Haiku, Hawaii 96708, (800) 568-3079, email: Mastery@alancohen.com. Check out Alan's Web Site at www.alahcohen.com