Time and time again, I’d hear the word ‘purpose’ and the phrases, ‘What is your purpose?’ or ‘Find your purpose’. It overwhelmed me to think about it, particularly as I’d created a story in my mind that I had to find my purpose, and if I didn’t, I was wasting my time. How would I even know what my purpose was – were there clues or signs?
I know many people believe their purpose in life is tied to their career. They work tirelessly to achieve their goals and then a few years in, they find they lose the joy their career brings. That puts them in a state of confusion – if my career is my purpose, how can I imagine doing something else?
What I’ve come to realize is we can have many purposes in life. But our greatest and most magical purpose is two-fold:
1. To be our real and unapologetic selves, and
2. To engage in activities and interactions that bring us joy
This way, over our lifetime, we can have a passion for many different careers, hobbies, and activities and still be living our purpose.
Connecting to ourselves and our higher power (whether that’s the Universe, God, or whatever you call your all-knowing source) is key. It gives us the clarity that our purpose is to be our unapologetic selves. And if we act true to this purpose, we naturally fall into careers, relationships and activities that excite and bring us passion. We’ll also naturally have the desire to serve, give back and pay it forward.
When we are true to ourselves and in a constant state of learning, growing, being and discovery (basically, living life on our terms), we’re also more likely to take accountability and show up without the many masks we wear (and I don’t mean our COVID one, hahaha!). Doing this inspires those around us to do the same, and we set the example without even realizing it.
Living your purpose is meant to be fun, exhilarating, and filled with those wonderful lightbulb moments. Will there be moments of pain, challenge, and struggle? Of course; that’s life! But remember, that beautiful diamond was once a dark piece of coal - it could only reveal its true self once it was put under pressure.
My friend, do the things that bring you joy, stay true to the real you, and everything else will unfold exactly the way it is meant to.