Re-Inventing Purpose
I’ve been searching for two decades.
Since I first began to daydream about what I would be when I grew up — a ballerina, an astronomer, a fashion designer, a marine biologist, a singer, an actress — I was desperate for a role that “fit.”
I sat in university classrooms, trying to decipher codes and puzzles made with numbers and ideas. I looked in bookshops everywhere I went, even if I didn’t know the language. I switched from one job to another, constructing dreams and plans around each, ways to move forward, to be more.
And while I gained knowledge, met interesting people, and found work that allowed me to live comfortably, I never discovered my purpose.
Until last Wednesday at about 9:25am. That’s when it finally hit me.
I sat at my desk meditating, trying to be grateful for my purpose in the world (whatever that was), when my purpose walked up and smacked me across the face. It had been right there the whole time.
I always thought that a person’s purpose came in some great act: through their research or writing, a scientific discovery, a job well done, a passion given life.
But that was only a piece of the truth.
I realized my purpose is in every moment, in everything I do, in every interaction and relationship I have. Eight years ago, my purpose was in working with children and showing them how smart they were, once they knocked their obstacles down. Now it is in every post I write, every act of kindness and love. It’s in designing websites and teaching archery and smiling at strangers.
In living and loving and being who I am, I live my purpose.
Maybe there are other big bright things in my future, and everything I do now prepares me to shine like that. But this moment is filled with as much purpose as those future ones. And that realization has been a game changer.
Have you found your purpose yet? Or are you still searching?
In dance, every movement has a purpose, an intent. No moment is wasted. That lesson has translated in my life. When I think I’m not accomplishing enough, I look at what I’ve done recently, even the small things, and see how it connected to the whole. It’s part of living in the moment and learning.
I love this. I love that you’re blogging again.
I think I’m slowly getting there. I think it really is the journey; that discovering all of these things along the way in life is our purpose, and makes us who we are. And I don’t feel like I’m meant to have just one purpose. I’d like to think that changes as we change and evolve. Now you’re really making me think….
Love this so much, my friend. I’ve been feeling lost for a long time, and sort of stopped searching for any sort of purpose as I just dragged myself through my days. It’s sad. And I’m sad. But I’m coming out of it now, I think. My purpose is out there waiting for me. Perhaps just being mindful, and conscious, and awake to the possibilities that life has to offer… perhaps that’s what I need to focus on now.
Hugs, sweet friend. xo
While I’m only 22, it feels like it took me forever to find my purpose in life. I had grand big big dreams when I was in high school that fell apart when I got to college. And when I dropped out, I was left with a big question mark of what my purpose in life was and where I was going. It was a big struggle for me for several years. It took having my son to really figure it out. He became my driving force in the world and I realized that I want and need to create a life I am proud of so he can see that and grow up to be the best person he can be. So it took me having something to really push me to figure out who I am and what I wanted and who I wanted to help to find my purpose.
Since I am young and just starting out, I’m sure my purpose will evolve and grow with me but for now it’s perfect and I’m excited and happy and that’s all the matters <3
Thanks for writing this! I definitely feel like I am constantly looking for my purpose. But i recently started meditating and that’s allowed me to be more calm and focused while I try to figure it out :)
Jess @ http://www.inpursuitofsimple.com