Definition of Purpose: “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.”
What is your purpose?
The meme posted up top is the typical response when I ask someone what their individual purpose is in life. I see the shoulders shrug and the look of confusion, disappointment, and defeat. A simple question that has more meaning than life itself. Discovering your purpose is one of the hardest things to do in life. Once your purpose is discovered you have to work on being intentional and living in your purpose.
Society is now filled with many distractions like Instagram, Facebook, #relationshipgoals, hot girl summers, and having it ALL. All includes the flashy cars, jewelry, outfits, show of money, and a perfect image. If you were to truly keep on with the distractions of the world you would stop living in your purpose and merely existing in this world.
If you are focusing on your next Instagram post, how likely would you be to study, read, build relationships, advance in your career, craft your gifts, and develop your own creative path. Becoming unfocused is not an uncommon concept. No one on social media is truly screaming, “You DO NOT NEED HALF THIS CRAP”, instead you get the constant reminders of what you do not have. Possessing things do not bring you happiness nor will it silence your inner voice that keeps telling you to do something different and challenge yourself.
Happiness is a goal I think many strive to achieve but most try in ways that do not include their purpose. She/He get the high paying job, city skyline view, and foreign car but still struggle with happiness. Happiness is not an item that you buy at your local Target. In order to truly be happy, you will need to silence the distractions long enough to figure out what you truly value. Having value and being invested creates a passion that money cannot buy. When you are doing something you truly love and feel like you have a calling to it brings a different type of energy. You think different, talk different, plan differently, and most of all you feel different.
How do I know that I have lost my focus?
Weekly if not daily check-ins will help you assess what you have done recently to further your purpose. I use meditation, reading, and timeouts to recalibrate my life and focus on my path. There is nothing wrong with turning off your phone, staying at home, and spending time with yourself. Only when you remove all of the distractions in your life will you truly be able to see what you have really been passionate about and the actions you have or haven’t taken.
Questions to ask yourself":
What have I spent most of my free time doing today?
Have I strengthened something valuable to myself today?
Where have I spent my monies?
Did I do anything purposeful today?
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Written By:
Tammarra. Letbetter M.Ed, LPC