Do you know why you are here? Many of us go through life without ever taking the time to find our purpose. Sure, we wonder what the bigger picture is about, but finding our purpose doesn’t seem a worthwhile endeavor when there are bills to pay and children to raise and laundry to fold.
Finding your purpose is one of the most important things you can do. Having a purpose creates meaning in your life.
According to Mark Twain “The two most important days are the day you were born, and the day you find out why”. Knowing why you are here – what you were meant to do – not only inspires you forward, but it keeps you moving in a progressive direction.
Knowing your purpose keeps you from living a life of quiet desperation.
I’ve always known it was my purpose to help people. Specifically people who were having difficulty managing their various relationships. Being a San Francisco therapist, and an author helps me to fulfill my purpose. Knowing that helping people is my purpose guides me as I live my life. Being a therapist is only one way to help people, writing my book Everything Will Be Ok is another way I can reach more people. As I continue this journey called life I will continue to explore ways in which I can help people. My work matters, helping people makes their lives better and it makes my life more fulfilling.
That’s the key to finding your purpose – it is the thing which you can’t not do. It is your passion. Something you would do even if you weren’t being paid for it. It is the thing that keeps bubbling up to the top – even when you squash it down so you can stay on the hamster wheel in a safe yet unrewarding job.
Here’s a little secret about finding your purpose – you can have more than one. It might be your purpose to paint beautiful works of art. You may have no choice but to express yourself through your art and bring meaning and insight to those who view your art. It might also be your purpose to teach others how to express themselves through an artistic medium or it might be your purpose to nourish those who are less fortunate with sustenance in the way of food or conversation. You can have many different purposes throughout your lifetime. The key is in being open to discovering them and then following them.
The easiest way to find your purpose is to think about that which gives you the greatest pleasure. Write down all of the things you love doing and you’ll probably find a common theme. If you could do anything what would it be? That is your purpose.