Purpose - the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
Take a breath, and brace yourself for the bit of reality I'm about to share.
Everything sucks, sometimes.
You may think, "well okay." That's a great way to think. But let's be realistic here. When has life ever been easy? Everything involves sacrifice. Not everything is pleasing or uplifting all of the time. So the question becomes: what sacrifice are you willing to take? You're not going to find your purpose without some sort of cost every now and then.
When I was younger, I used to write short stories. I can't tell you what the story is because the whole thing was bizarre. Nevertheless, I enjoyed writing them. I use to sit in my room for hours, writing my own stories. Not because I wanted anyone to read it, or I was trying to impress anyone, but for the sheer joy it gave me.
One day, however, I stopped.
It wasn't until recently that I found my love for writing again. Something about the social pressures and professional pressures of life squeezes the passion out of us. We’re taught that the only reason to do something is if we’re somehow rewarded for it. I find myself asking, "Would anyone read my writing," or "Could I really make a living off of this?"
There is no wrong or correct answer to this. It comes down to whether I'm willing to fight for what I love to do.
If you were to ask me these questions when I was younger, I would have cowered and put myself down. As human beings, we commonly avoid embarrassment, mainly because it sucks. When I was younger, my walls were like a picket fence. I let opinions of others get to me, and it really tore my confidence down. Unfortunately, not everyone is nice. You have to brace yourself for criticism. Embrace the critisism that may come knocking at your door. Life isn't going to be easy. It's not easy to take the critisism. I'd know. But from personal experience, allow me to inform you that you'll never improve if you can't take the criticism. Don't let those petty words get to you.
Do what makes you happy.
Obviously, it's easier said than done. But feeling foolish is part of the path to achieving something important. Achieving a purpose.
Now ask yourself, "If I were to die one year from today, how would I want to be remembered?"
It may sound like a silly question, but really think about it. Maybe you want to write music, write a book, leave your mark on the world, maybe you just want to provide the perfect life for your newborn child, or maybe you want to educate children.
Big or small, they all have a great meaning. A great purpose.
- As time progresses, keep a tally of how many times you purposefully and intentional engage in activities that positively reflect your value system
- Assess your stress levels. Are you feeling more or less stressed/anxious since you began the exercise? How is your passion and motivation? Do you feel driven?
- Assess your physical well-being. How are you feeling overall? What changes have you noticed (more or less: headaches, neck and back pain, tension, upset stomach. etc.).
- Plan your action: what can you do to keep this moment going?
So What Is Life's Purpose?
There's no correct answer.
It just begins with a risk.
Don't give up.
If it's what makes you happy, why should you give up? I once read a book by Nicola Yoon, "Everything, Everything." Here's a quote that really keeps me going.
"The greatest risk is not taking one."
