Discover Your Purpose in Life
What’s my purpose in life?
Answering this question is not easy for most. You might struggle with this question. I’m not talking about what type of job you should have, or where you should live, or what type of friends you should keep. I’m talking about the sense that you have a reason to be here, right now, on this planet, and you know what it is in your mind and feel it within your bones. It is the confidence you enjoy in yourself as a human being that you are doing the right thing. It is the great feeling of joy and happiness you attain from feeling purposeful.
Most people don’t feel a sense of purpose because they don’t feel purposeful about what they are doing. Some don’t seem to have any purpose for doing anything whatsoever.
Here is a quick story that may help.
About 15 years ago, a friend of mine was telling me about his son who had just graduated from high school. His son hadn’t been very motivated about going to school or getting out and finding a job. He wouldn’t pick up the paper to look for a job or fill out any applications for college. Also, he was getting pretty lazy around the house. Most of his problem lied in the fact that he was more concerned with girls and being cool, than he was about doing anything with his life. So my friend had to sit down and have a chat with him. This is what he said, “Son, if you want to live here, then you’ve got to produce something good!” Great words. My friend really understood something simple about life that has been so hard to grasp, for so many.
Some of you may of had similar conversations about your direction in life when you were younger. I know I did. Thankfully, my friend’s great statement stuck with me over the years. That simple statement helped me to understand what real purpose is and gain deep insight into the meaning of life.
So what is your purpose?
Your purpose is this: Do good works in your life and the lives of others. You can also call it adding value, or serving if you like. Whatever you want to call it just remember, if you want to live a purposeful life you have to “produce something good.” (If you don’t you might get kicked out of the house.)
You mean I have to join the peacecorps?
No…you could if you wanted to, though. You really don’t have to do a whole lot more than you are doing now. You may even feel more purposeful doing little things in life than in doing a big thing. The reason is that purpose is mostly a state of mind. When you are doing good works you’ll be more alert, happier and usually feel like there is a great sense of meaning to your life. Studies even show that endorphins, or chemicals that make us feel good, are released in our bodies when we do good deeds for others. We are designed to want to do good. The great thing is, that this sense of purpose is available to everyone, no matter where you are, what your job is, or how much money you have. You can do good works by being a dishwasher, if you do your very best. Or, you could feel this great sense of purpose by being the President. Whatever you decide to do, just do it to produce something good.
Here are a few things you can do to start living with purpose right now:
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Smile at everyone you meet, you’ll brighten their day.
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Pick up trash on the side of the road.
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Take some balloons to the elderly at a nursing home.
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Give your very best at work everyday (in spite of the fact that your boss may be a jerk).
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Encourage someone.
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Throw your employees a party for no reason.
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Volunteer at a church.
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Spend some quality time with your spouse and your children every day.
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Really listen when people are talking.
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Say yes when people ask you for something.
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Donate your time or money to your favorite charity.
- Write a helpful book or blog.
- Pray for someone.
- Cut someone’s lawn for free.
- Put the toilet seat down.
- Fill someone’s car up with gas.
- Carpool with co-workers and pay for the gas
That’s just a few things you can do. The list is endless. I want to hear from you. What are some things you do already that fill you with a sense of purpose?
Do something extraordinary!
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[...] You see, without clearly defined goals, it’s easy to wander aimlessly throughout life. You may even be really busy doing this and that everyday, but when you take a harder look at your life, you may find that you’re just acting busy. You are just going through the motions, never really getting anything of any value accomplished. This is how most people let themselves off the hook, so to speak. They act like they are too busy to even consider having a goal or start something new. These people also avoid the pain of failure, because they never really try to do anything. However, they also miss out on the joy of living a truly purposeful life. [...]