Every one of us is created with a unique set of gifts, talents, and abilities. Life’s purpose is the full expression of these gifts. When you are living your life’s purpose, you are expressing the very essence of who you are. You are good at what you do, and you love doing it. In fact, you love it so much you would pay for the privilege of doing it.
When you are living your life’s purpose, you feel fulfilled; you know you are making a difference; your life has meaning and direction; you are empowered by your work and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Life’s purpose is a natural expression of who you are; it is what you were created to be. Until you find your purpose, there will always seem to be something missing.
Unfortunately, finding your life’s purpose is much easier said than done. You can’t go on the internet and look it up. You won’t find it on Google or in the want-ads. Life’s purpose is something you discover; it’s something you bring forth out of your commitment and determination.
THE PATH TO LIFE'S PURPOSE
Although you can’t look up life’s purpose, there is a path where you can find it. The first step in the search for life’s purpose is to discover what your passion is. What do you love to do? What are you naturally good at? What turns you on? What can you throw your whole heart and soul into?
The process of discovering your passion can take months of active looking, so be patient. Keep asking yourself the questions: “What do I love to do? What is my passion?” Keep asking and keep looking. While you are looking, find the contribution you want to make. This adds power to your passion. Do you want to teach people how to love? Do you want to teach people how to live together? Do you want to be a writer? Do you want to provide services to empower people to be successful? Do you want to change your environment? How can your passion make a difference in people’s lives?
When your passion makes a contribution that is important to you, you gain a power that can move mountains. The combination of passion and serving is an essential element of life’s purpose. Albert Schweitzer once said, “Those among you who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” He’s talking about purpose. When your life is about serving, your ego stands aside, and you become an expression of love. You also tap into a power much greater than you.
QUESTIONS TO ASK:Use the following questions to gain insight into your life’s purpose. Write down every thought you have in response to a question. Let the words flow, and keep writing until there is no more response.
- What are you good at?
- What are your gifts, talents, and abilities?
- What do you love to do?
- What makes you come alive?
- What were you doing when you were the happiest?
- What have you done that you are proud of?
- What aspects or characteristics of you are you proud of?
- When you were young, what did you know you would be doing when you grew up?
- If you were now on your bed at the closing of your life, what would you regret not having done?
- If you could do absolutely anything in your life, what would you do?
- If you could make any contribution to the world, what would it be?
- If you could be the person you always wanted to be, what would you be?
- What is your passion?
- How does your passion make a contribution?
- What is your life’s purpose?
Keep looking for your passion and the contribution that you want to make. By doing what you love and finding how to serve, you add a very special joy to life.