Skip to main content

Finding Your Purpose


When I was in fifth grade, our teacher, Ms. Rader, used to make us write a story using all of the words in our spelling list.  Most of the kids grumbled at the thought of all of that work.  It seemed tedious to most, but I looked at this as a challenge.  I made a game of the work by making my stories have recurring characters in each one.  The other kids were entertained by my stories, and they began to look forward to seeing what would happen with these characters each week. 

I took a chore and turned it into something that I became passionate about.  I found the activity fun, and the other students were amused.  I realized how much I liked the attention that people paid to something that I created.  There began my love of writing. 

But as I got older, life happened.  Between school, work, raising a child, and having a social life, I didn’t continue my hobby of writing.  I took writing up again when I started stand-up comedy, but it wasn’t until I decided to write a screenplay that I brought that passion back to life.  Within three weeks, I finished my first screenplay.  I felt a rush from having the opportunity to be creative and create a whole world of characters and situations. 

Sometimes, we forget that things that we really loved to do and that brought us so much joy.  Once we realize what we are truly passionate about, that passion does not feel like work.  There contains a sense of pride in something that we create.  Don’t think about the money.  If you do something that you love, the money will come.  I enjoyed talking to people, making them laugh, and showing them the city that I loved so much, and by doing that, I found a way to make money from it. 

One way to rediscover what you are passionate about is to imagine asking your 10-year-old self what they would think about your life now.  What would they have really wanted to do with the life that you have?  Is there anything that they are disappointed that you haven’t done yet or tried? 

What do you enjoy doing that makes you completely lose track of time?  Have you ever been so involved in a hobby or task that you forgot to eat?  You were so enthralled in what you were doing that time just slipped away from you.  I am certain that Thomas Edison was so swept away with his inventions that he missed some meals and sleep, too. 

What really gets you fired up?  Is there a problem that you want to solve or at least, be a part of making the situation better?  Maybe you are heartbroken over seeing unwanted dogs in the pound or you wish there was something that you could do for the hungry and homeless on the street.  Look at what social issues really concern you.  This might be a window to discover what your purpose is.  It could be something as small as giving away bags with sandwiches and hygiene products to homeless people on the street.  Maybe you could find volunteering at an animal shelter as a rewarding experience that contributes to helping animals in need.  One person can save the world.  Okay, maybe you won’t save the world, but your efforts accompanied by your passion can make a difference. 

Let’s pretend that there is no TV, no video games, and no surfing the internet.  What would you do with all of this extra time?  What if you found out that you only had a year to live?  What would you do with this valuable time allotted to you?  Hopefully, you will never have to face that decision, but you can make the choice to live with the same sense of urgency.  We are only given a finite period of time on this blue ball, so it is important to spend it wisely and make the most of it. 

What comes easy to you?  Evaluating what your talents are can help determine what your purpose is.  What is important to you?  When you combine your talents and skills with your values and passions, you will discover your purpose. 

Get a FREE copy of the Heart of Happiness Workbook

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Time Management

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” ~ Walt Disney Time is the most precious commodity that we have.   Unlike money, it is finite in supply and cannot be replenished.   Once it is gone, it is gone forever.   This is why we must make the most of the time that we have.   The great thing about time is that it is unbiased.   It does not care what your age, race, sex, income, or religion is.   You have the same as anyone else regardless.   Whether you are rich or poor, black or white, male or female, your time is the same.   It is not about how much time you have, but rather what you do with it.   Are you spending your time wisely or frittering it away?   If you found that you only had one year left to live, how would you plan on spending it?   Most of us are not given the luxury of knowing how much time we have.   Therefore, to effectively utilize it, we may want to spend it as if we only have ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Random Acts of Kindness

Much like Mindfulness and Gratitude, doing Random Acts of Kindness allows one to be in the moment and appreciative.    Most of us can get caught up in our busy lives that we forget to pay attention to the little things.    One small, seemingly insignificant act may not appear considerable at the moment, but may mean a great deal to someone who is having a bad day or feels down on their luck.    Little things can mean a lot.    The world would be a much different place if everyone took the time and effort to do something, no matter how small, for someone else every day.   Do a good deed for the day.    Go out of your way to make someone else’s day a little bit better.    Open the door for someone.    Give someone a smile, hug, or compliment.    Do at least one each day for a week.    Make someone else’s day better.   Here is a list of some examples: Give someone a compliment ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Forest Bathing or Shinrin-Yoku

You don’t have to be a serious hiker or cross-country athlete to get the benefit of the outdoors.   Many benefits can be found of just being exposed in nature.   Forest bathing may sound odd or unheard of to most, but is a great way of reducing stress.   Much like sun-bathing, you are exposing yourself to the woods (bathing suit optional).   Forest bathing is the Japanese practice called Shinrin-Yoku.   Unlike exercise, you are not trying to burn calories doing this.   Instead, forest bathing helps you reduce your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol levels, and reduce your heart rate all by just taking a stroll in the woods.   For instance, in a three-hour session, you may only walk about a half of a mile or less.   Forest bathing allows you to achieve mindfulness in nature.   Some call this Nature Therapy.    Whenever our attention is focused on our senses, we are being mindful.   We are feeling the grass under our fe...
Post a Comment
Read more