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Some people are born knowing their purpose. They know seemingly from the beginning what they need to do in life. Others aren’t so lucky. They have to work for it. They have to try new things, often. They have to fail over and over (and over) again until one day something clicks. At least that’s what “they” sell us. Who are “they”? Who demands that we all ‘have a purpose’? Who decides that we aren’t actually living until we are living for our purpose? Why can’t we simply live on purpose?
that’s what “they” sell us. Who are “they”? Who demands that we all ‘have a purpose’? Who decides that we aren’t actually living until we are living for our purpose? Why can't we simply live on purpose? Share on XWhile we’re on the subject, who declared that our purpose in life must have some greater meaning for all of humanity. Who put this humble pressure on our shoulders?
Don’t get me wrong. If you’ve found your purpose, or if you were born knowing it, POWER TO YOU! That’s incredible! You should be proud, and confident, and honestly should be screaming it from the top of a mountain! Share your purpose with the world in whatever way suits you (and of course your purpose)!
But your purpose should be, well, about you. Maybe it is for the greater good, but maybe it’s just about you or your family. That’s okay too.
The Joys of Knowing Your Purpose
Often people describe knowing your purpose as a sense of belonging. Of being in the right place at the right time. There is a sense of meaning and joy in knowing your purpose, and living your passion. It’s a beautiful thing.
But if you don’t know your purpose, if you feel lost…if you feel frazzled! Or if you wonder what you’re doing, and seemingly wander without purpose, then I have a secret to share…:
Maybe you don’t have “a purpose”.
DON’T FREAK OUT!
It’s not a big deal, and let me tell you why.
Time to Live ON Purpose
If you weren’t born knowing your purpose in life, its simply because you have many purposes. You don’t have one big take over your life, control every ounce of blood and bones in your body purpose. You have MANY.
And that my friends, is an amazing thing!
Its something that not everyone gets to brag about. And it’s also something you can brag about many times over.
Maybe your purpose isn’t’ about being a doctor and saving thousands of lives with medical magic! Maybe it’s about saving people through coaching services, and yoga classes, and Reiki workshops. You have a wider outreach to help people. A bigger net to save them all. (And dare I say a deeper connection with each than simply a 5-minute appointment with a doctor).
Maybe your purpose isn’t about being the CEO of a fortune 500 business and making business history. Maybe it’s about being the CEO of a mom and pop shop and supporting your family while making your own hours to be histories best parent.
The Danger of Discovering your Purpose
I’m all about making yourself the best version of yourself. Not just for you, but for your family and friends and those you interact with each day. They all deserve the best you can be. I strongly believe in personal development, finding yourself, and most importantly being confident in whatever that is.
But there is a downside to discovering your purpose that you need to be aware of.
See the problem is, if you spend time searching for your purpose, you’re not spending it living your life. You’re no longer living new experiences, meeting new people, creating memories with loved ones. Instead, you’re in your head, thinking of the next possibility. Thinking about whether THIS could be your purpose as opposed to the next event. Everything becomes a maybe.
And don’t get me wrong, everything COULD BE your purpose.
You begin buying every product out there designed to help you discover your purpose, live your best life, live your passions each day. You begin spending money on buying things instead of experiences.
But you won’t find your purpose in generic products. And you won’t find your purpose in your head. You’ll find it living your life. You’ll find it when you go on a work mandated volunteer event. You’ll find it when someone approaches you asking if you can mentor their child because they highly respect your work. You’ll find it when someone asks where you got your earrings (that you made) because they want to buy a pair for everyone they know!
And don’t get me wrong, there are wonderful products out there designed to help you discover your purpose and live your passions. But when you begin looking for products created specifically for something you are passionate about, or a vision board to manifest your dreams, you will learn far more.
Absolutely everything you do brings you one step closer to your purpose in life. But stop looking for the big neon flashing sign, because truthfully, it doesn’t exist. The honest truth is, you have many purposes in life. Many reasons to be proud and confident and excited for the day and that is a beautiful opportunity!
How to Stop Resisting Your Purposes in Life and begin to Live on Purpose
You don’t need to “discover” anything, you just need to be content in your life where you are, and understand that when an opportunity presents itself, however insignificant it seems, THAT is your neon sign. By ignoring these small opportunities, you are doing a disserve to yourself. You are resisting your purposes in life. You’re looking for meaning in the wrong places.
So how do you stop resisting? It’s easy. Just start living!
- Be curious, ask questions
- Talk to strangers
- Find happiness where you are
- Define your goals
- Define your core values
- Create priorities
- Rid bad habits and build positive ones
- Follow every single passion or interest
- Banish doubt for your life
- Practice self care and self love
- Be honest with yourself
- Befriend the mean voice in your head
- Make plans and FOLLOW THROUGH
- Build Confidence in yourself
- Choose love
Let’s switch the narrative. Instead of living for your purpose, or realistically as we are, living to find our purpose, instead lets live WITH purpose, live ON purpose.
I enjoyed reading this! Everything you mentioned here is spot on and yes to stop resisting and instead ask questions, learn and so much more. This is a great article! I read many but I love this post more.
Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, very inspiring!!
Thanks so much for reading! <3
I love that you’re focusing on the here and now and not only on what might be your purpose.
YES! Thanks so much for reading! 🙂
Great advice on living with purpose!
Thank you!!
It’s so important that we not only find our purpose but LIVE it. Thanks for this reminder!
I have learned to live in the moment and one day at a time. I used to be so obsessed with finding my purpose. It wasn’t until I stopped looking, I found it. Great post. Love it
Yes! Love this! Live on purpose! Taking advantage of every moment!
Living in the moment is so important. Thanks for the reminder.
I like the one about talking to strangers. Seriously, I could talk the paint off of a wall. Ha ha! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
This is such an inspiring and motivating article! Great read!
Thank you so much Faith, glad you enjoyed it!
This is so great. I definitely feel like I have multiple purposes in life and I’m constantly hoping to grow and fulfill each of them.
That’s wonderful! Acknowledging you have them is the first step towards fulfilling them!
I love this. Life is about so much more than just going through the motions every day until the tiny fraction of time we vacation… This is an awesome way of thinking.
YES! So much THIS^! Thanks for reading and responding!
Such a great article with a lot of good points!
Thank you so much!
This is an awesome post!! Especially for those of us that are clueless as to what our purpose is. Reading this made me feel better:) Thanks
So much great information about intentional living and finding your purpose. I feel like you were speaking to me sometimes!