Question: You have mentioned several times about people having a purpose. And talk about it as if most do. I have talked to many friends in the last week and asked them if they knew their purpose. None of them did, but thought it would be helpful if they did.
When you talk about this and setting goals as if it were a simple task., it makes me feel like the ultimate loser. I have tried multiple times but have never succeeded.
My Reply:
Thank you for asking.
I have certainly never intended to suggest either that most people have discovered their purpose, nor that finding one's purpose is easy.
Searching for your purpose, but not yet having found it, in no way makes you a "loser." Rather, it makes you someone who cares enough to value having a purpose and to pay attention to the discovery process.
Each of us has a purpose that differs in the details, but I will take the bold step of suggesting that each of us has a purpose that is in some way related to being of service to others.
Remember that a life purpose doesn't have to be something lofty. "Being a great father" is no less worthy as a life purpose than "ending world hunger."
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know:
the only ones among you who will be really happy
are those who will have sought and found how to serve.
- Albert Schweitzer
If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
- Mother Teresa
If you haven't already, I recommend you read How to Choose Your Life Purpose and try the Tombstone Exercise?
May the world be kind to you, and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
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4 comments:
I believe that finding your life purpose is more something that happens to you rather than something you can actively go out and do. It is about feeling and energy and the first step must therefore be to find yourself.
Robin: Thank you for your thoughts. I think you will find that "to find yourself" is actually finding your life purpose. At first, it is a quite general commitment. Later, refining your life purpose is, as you point out, something that often is driven by the specific opportunities life presents to you. For example, you might decide that being of service to the less fortunate is your life purpose. With that mindset, you would be open to listening when you hear that your local food bank needs volunteers, for example.
I really liked reading your answers and the comments. every human being faces this question at some point in their life.. It is not about getting the answer but the process you undergo to seek the answer gives you many more answers.. As it is said, it is not the destination but the journey that matters..
I PUT A QUOTE ON MY E MIL THE BEGINNING MAY BE
WRONG, IT STARTED OUT ,tHE WORLD IS PERFECT. mY DAUGHTER THINKS IT AMY SAY, THE WORLD IN IMPERFECT.
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