What is the meaning of life? Why do we go through all of the struggle, the rushing around and trying to get ahead, just to make it to some point where we think we will enjoy the fruits of our labour as we get old and then pass on? Is that all there is?
These questions can lead you to spiral into a feeling of pointlessness, that none of it matters anyway. Or the questions can inspire you to make the most of your life while you are here. It is a waste to choose anything other than the latter.
Death will come soon enough to all of us. The purpose of life is to live while you are still here. The way to live joyfully is to find something that you are passionate about and then to devote yourself fully to that. Take time today to evaluate where you are and where it is you would like to be.
Action – No one can tell you what your passion is. This is as unique to you as your fingerprint. It may be raising a family, carrying on the family business, teaching others, creating art, traveling, writing, being a motivator or coach, being a doctor, lawyer, or singer. There are millions of different things that you can devote your life to that make you eager to jump out of bed each day.
Sometimes we separate our passion from our work. A hobby can inspire us and give us something to fully enjoy. It really doesn’t matter how this looks, it is all about asking yourself what it is that drives you and what you wish to accomplish in your life.
For someone like Mother Theresa, it was about going into the streets of Calcutta and showing compassion to the destitute. The Buddha found his purpose in his desire to become enlightened. Not everyone wants or needs millions of dollars or fame to feel fulfilled.
Steps – If you feel that you are wandering aimlessly and have nothing that inspires you, it’s important to connect with yourself and get to know what is important to you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing, this is an individual thing. If the idea of climbing mountains fills you with excitement, then do it.
When you find something that fills you with anticipation and perhaps a little bit of fear at the same time, that might be the passion that you are looking for. Brainstorm ideas and notice how many you come up with that aren’t necessarily yours. Family and society influences all factor into our thinking, but it is vital to get to the root of what it is that you want. This is your life and your opportunity to live it authentically.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – It’s like having a map that guides you where you want to go. When you can clearly define your purpose, you can also know if you are traveling off-course. The language of depressed people often reflects the lack of purpose. Nothing seems meaningful when you have no clear idea of what you want to accomplish.
Lacking a purpose will make your life seem random with no clear goals. It is like aimlessly wandering with no idea of where you are going or why you are even walking.
Providing service to others is one of the easiest ways to find a purpose that is fulfilling. If you have no idea what to do, then look around and see if you can do something to help someone else. This can put you on the right path.
Example – For some people, there was never a doubt as to what they wanted to do. I actually feel that this knowledge is in all of us, but we become confused or are talked out of living our passion by well-meaning people. Look to the people who you admire. There is a reason why you are inspired by them, and it may be because they are doing what you wish you were doing. Find an example of your own because it will be different than mine.
Life is to be lived, and each day brings the opportunity to focus on something specific that fills you with a sense of purpose. If you aren’t living like that, then take some time today to find out why.