Just do you. You being yourself is you doing your purpose, so the more we get out of the mindset of thinking there is a certain way to go about things, the freer we become.
A purpose for one’s life can feel a bit grandiose. As a young adult, I remember a constant restlessness as I tried to settle into the post-college world. I had that nagging feeling I should be doing something else, no matter what I was doing. There was a pressure to seek. Seek what you ask? Well, I was never sure. I was completely unfulfilled and frankly, anxious most of the time I wasn’t busy with work, friends, or family.
And at work, I was often frustrated by a work environment that didn’t match my own values. So I took classes, got a master’s degree, started a business with my ex-husband, joined a professional women’s organization, took more classes, got divorced, went to therapy, took more classes, and so on. I eventually discovered a love for the type of healing work that brought me back to life after my divorce.
Starting my business was the beginning of me finding my purpose…and as I think about it more, I believe I am DEFINING my purpose rather than finding it. It has always been there, it is me. The real me underneath all my armor that a lifetime creates. A lifetime of expectations and opinions put on us by well-meaning family and friends.
I simply needed to uncover my purpose by learning about me and my true drive and motivations. I have always been trying to live my purpose, rather unsuccessfully much of the time. Until I made conscious my unconscious motivators, I struggled with understanding my purpose.
My true motivators were buried under shoulds and shouldn’t. I had invested a lot of time and money into a career in business operations and organizational management. I didn’t even consider changing courses even when it was suggested to me by respected advisors.
My real motivators are people who want to be all of themselves. People who choose to discover who they really are through self-exploration and healing. People who are willing to change their lives to pursue what lights up their soul and drives them to embrace their path even if it is difficult.
What is your purpose? Can you feel it? Can you put words to it? I would love to hear your experience with Purpose.
