What Is Your Purpose in Life: Purpose and Being Part 2

What is your purpose in life? The big questions can be difficult to think about and hard to answer, but they’re essential to discovering our purpose and being.

Addressing The Big Questions: What Is Your Purpose In Life?

In my last blog, we took a look at the idea of being. We also discussed how who you are reflects in what you value the most, and how that influences your actions. If you value courage, everything you do will reflect that, from being honest even though it may be hard, to taking steps toward your financial freedom.

So, now you know what your principles are. They’re those qualities that will inform everything you do, taking you from where you are to wherever you want to be. Now, what’s next?


There’s nobody—and I mean nobody, ever—who hasn’t asked themselves the BIG question: What am I doing here? What’s my purpose?

Some schools of thought say—I believe, correctly—that we’re born into this life with a purpose, a reason for being. But considering that just about everything in nature has a specific purpose for existing, and we are part of nature, it’s not a stretch to accept that every individual has a specific purpose, as well.

A lot of people believe in purpose, but most have a hard time figuring out what that is for them. No doubt there have been a rare few individuals who have received or recognized within themselves a kind of unmistakable calling. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa immediately come to mind.

But that’s usually not how it works for the rest of us. You can wait and wait for a sign that may or may not ever come. What would you rather do if you’re unsure of your purpose: let life pass by or choose your purpose yourself? The upside to these deeper questions is that we are the ones who get to decide how we are best suited to serve ourselves, others and life itself.


However random it may seem, though, finding our individual purpose is actually easier than one might think. We each have unique abilities, inherent talents and strengths. Also, different subjects and activities interest us and make us happy. We all have varying experiences and issues from which we’ve learned, and every one of us has a different way in which we can use these traits to serve and also feel fulfillment. It’s through these factors that we can all choose a purpose.

But that doesn’t mean we’re locked into any one way of how to go about living our purpose. For example, if your purpose is to teach, you may literally teach in a school, or become a writer and speaker. The vehicle isn’t as important as recognizing yourself as a teacher no matter what you do.

Once you have purpose, you will have two essential elements for a truly happy life—money and meaning! You’ll do more of what you’re good at, attracting people who have a need or want for your particular talents. In this way, you will become ‘rich’ in every sense of the word.

Exercise: Discover Your Individual Purpose

 

  1. List your unique abilities, talents, strengths, interests and passions.
  2. Choose an overall purpose for your life. For some people, it may take hours to think it through; for others it may take days or longer.
  3. Once you’ve honestly assessed yourself, clarify your purpose by writing it down.
  4. Choose an initial vehicle with which you can serve people that is in alignment with your purpose.

Begin living your life with meaning today. Share with me in the comments. What is your purpose?

This article has been updated for relevancy and accuracy. It’s original publish date was 01/29/10.