A few thoughts have been swirling around within over the last few days around clarifying our personal Purpose. Deep in the heart of every person is a profound desire to answer questions such as, “Who Am I”?, “Why Am I Here”?, “What Was I Born To Do”? There is a purpose that pulsates in the heart of every human being on this planet. We can suppress it, deny it, and mis-direct it, but we can’t eliminate it. Purpose answers the question: “Why were you born?” Why do we need a purpose?
J Purpose Captivates ê Our heart, our attention, and our focus. Without a clear sense of our Purpose, we will not reach our full potential. The laser beam of clear Purpose inspires us to clear out the clutter, live a disciplined life, and Get Where We Need To Go. The tragedy of life is this: many who do not reach their full potential do not do so because we invest too much time in areas of our lives where we have the least potential. As Andy Stanley said: “If you really want to make a lasting impact, then you need to eliminate what you do well for the sake of what you can potentially do best.” In 2009, the world was in shock as General Motors, once the pre-eminent king of the world-wide automotive industry, declared bankruptcy and only survived when the U.S. and Canadian governments stepped in and provided life support. Perhaps their failure was caused by the relentless commitment to trying to be and to do everything: producing cars under 18 different brands and countless models, rather than focusing in on what brands did best and maximizing value in those categories. When you “get” your Purpose, your Purpose “gets” you, and does not let go. Purpose Captivates your heart and mind to achieve your dream and Get You Where You Need To Go.
J Purpose Creates ê One seed of Purpose inside of you contains the power of Creation itself. Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche said this: “Everyone thinks that the principal thing to the tree is the fruit, but in point of fact the principal thing to it is the seed.” All of us long for the fruit… but the seed is the key. The entire Purpose of a seed is simply to germinate life, given the right conditions. Within one seed is enough life to plant a forest, grow a farm, and feed a community. Within the seed of our personal Purpose is enough to Create rich and lasting fruit for ourselves, our families and all those we care about.
J Purpose Calls ê Purpose has the ability to call us to something higher than ourselves. There is an awesome Purpose for us as individuals: a rich, fulfilling, vibrant place Where We Need To Go. There is an incredible Purpose for YOU greater than simply YOU. Sadly, so many of us have been conditioned to think and believe the lie that, “It’s all about me”. It reminds me of the story of the little boy and his sister who were playing on a swing set one day. Unfortunately, there was only one available swing. At first, they began by sharing the swing, but that didn’t work so well, and so as they were jostling for position on the swing, the little boy looked at his sister, and with all sincerity, he advised her, “You know, if one of us would just get off the swing, there would be more room for me…” This is some people’s attitude throughout their entire lives: “…there would be more room for me…” Our Purpose calls us to a higher way of living, not limited by selfishness and a “me-centric” mentality. George Bernard Shaw wrote: “This is the true joy of life: being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” Your Purpose Calls you to Get Where You Need To Go!
J Purpose Clarifies ê Some are confused about Where They Need To Go. They don’t really know Where They Need To Go primarily because they lack a clear sense of purpose. Purpose is a wonderful thing because it becomes an internal GPS, a built-in guidance system that clarifies a path for you to specifically follow. With so many options available to us in the global economy, we can seriously waste huge segments of our lives simply seeking to “find ourselves”. We need to minimize the “lost decades”, so to speak. Your Purpose does, and tells you Where You Need To Go.
J Purpose Connects ê An amazing thing happens to us on the way to fulfilling our Purpose and Getting Where We Need To Go: we find others who are headed in the same direction and meet up for the ride! Having worked in a homeless shelter for the last 10 years, I have found, time and time again, the remarkably deep and true bond that comes between the staff and volunteers and care-givers in a place like that. Because we generally are all focused around the values of caring for the needs of the homeless, that people matter, and have a base point of compassion and understanding, there is an incredibly profound connection between us. This same dynamic plays out in cause after cause and purpose after purpose: Purpose Connects us to the world around us and draws us away from a place of loneliness and isolation. The only thing more satisfying than Getting Where You Need To Go, is Getting Where You Need To Go with partners and team members.
J Purpose Completes ê People who are in hot pursuit of their Purpose; who are Getting Where They Need To Go, are generally happier and more complete than those who are simply drifting along. As Charles Allen said, “Miserable are the persons who do not have something beyond themselves to search for.” People who do not fulfill their Purpose in life, and who do not Get Where They Need To Go, are generally those who live their lives with regret. They knew inside that they were more than they revealed. When we live and purpose our Purpose and Get Where We Need To Go, we live a more Complete life, and generally live without regret.
So, briefly, how do we discover our personal Purpose?
B Passion – what do you have a passion for?
B Ability – what do you do well?
B Personality – in what ways do you feel you fit?
B
B Relationships – where is there synergy and resonance with people around you?
Of course, lots more could be said on these topics….but here are just a few simple thoughts. Have a great day and remember the let out the beauty within!
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