Lifestyle

5 Questions to Help You Discover Your Purpose and Live a Meaningful Life

By Paige Reist | Posted: August 09, 2018

Every moment you spend on this planet, remember that you are here for a unique purpose and cause, far greater than to just eat, sleep, and talk.” - Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Purpose.

It’s one of the things we all crave, one of the things that we all yearn to discover. If we can find our purpose, we think that life will suddenly make sense, that we’ll be able to focus our energies and find fulfilment and happiness like we’ve never known before.

You are more than your day-to-day existence

We all struggle with the same questions. Who am I? Why am I here? And how do I make sense of this precious, painful, confusing existence?

For some, it’s easier just to ignore these questions altogether, to just focus on the day-to-day minutiae of existence; cooking meals, cleaning the house, going to work, and filling your downtime with television, the internet, and other distractions. But there always comes a time when we have to face that feeling of being lost, being left behind, and being forgotten. Feeling this way is a part of who we are, a part of being human. So, one day, the searching inevitably begins.

Where do you find your purpose?

Some find their purpose in incorporating religious traditions into their lives, in following the teachings of specific spiritual leaders, or immersing themselves in the thoughts of secular philosophers. Some find their purpose in helping others, in volunteering their time or setting up foundations, in making a measurable difference in their community. Some find their purpose in making their own lives as pleasurable as possible, seeking adventure and fun around every corner. Still others chase after power and money, or obsess over leaving a legacy, or turn their attentions to finding purpose through their friends or children.

Some might find comfort in thinking that there is no inherent purpose to their life, so they are free to make their own purpose. Some might feel that they were created by a higher power to fulfil one specific purpose, one that was set into motion even before they were born.

And sometimes, none of these mindsets guide you to a place where you feel you’ve found your path in life.

Ten things to ask yourself

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says that what is the purpose of my life is a good question to ask and ponder upon without rushing into finding its answer right away. This question arises only to the lucky ones. And only you can find its answer for yourself and discover what truly your purpose is.

So what is your purpose? How do you find it? These are big questions; maybe the biggest ones we’ll ever ask ourselves. But the good thing about the big questions is that they can be broken down and examined in order to be understood.

These questions are designed to clarify your sense of self, give you some big ideas to chew on, and to help lead you towards your own unique path.

1. What are your values?

What are the most meaningful pillars that hold up your mind, heart, and spirit? Do you value creativity, adventure, stability, or quietude? Are you energized by independance or by interdependence? Set aside a few hours to explore your personal values, and you’ll emerge with a better understanding of how you want to live your life.

2. When do you lose track of time?

Have you ever been so immersed in a project or activity that you completely lose track of time? This is a fantastic sign of being completely engaged with whatever you’re doing. When you lose track of time, forget to eat, and put off going to the washroom, you’re probably doing something aligned with your purpose.

3. What do you know about yourself?

Self-discovery is an important part of finding your purpose, and it can be fun, too! There are many different ways to gain insight into yourself--whether it’s taking a personality test like the Enneagram or the Meyers-Briggs, or spending time in meditation or silence. The more you explore and try new things, the more you’ll learn about yourself along the way.

4. Who were you when you were a child?

Think back to the things that sparked your imagination as a child, how you acted with your friends, your dreams and your fears. This is the person that is still inside of you, the one that has been tamed and trained by adults, the school system, and the workplace. Did you love finger painting and sculpting with clay, but haven’t touched art supplies in over a decade? Did you spend hours reading about history, or animals? Think back to the things that first captured your interest--your purpose is very likely connected to your inner child.

5. What are you willing to sacrifice?

If you yearn to help people, but can’t function on four hours of sleep a night, you’re probably not cut out to be an emergency room doctor. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t make a difference! Finding a balance between the things you’re willing to give up in order to pursue your dreams is essential in chasing your purpose.

There is one united purpose that all of humanity shares: to make the world a better place than the one we were born into. We don’t have to be celebrities, influencers, brain surgeons, or the next Nelson Mandela to make a difference to those around us, to feel fulfilled, and to find happiness. Even having a positive impact on one single person’s life can change the world.

Perhaps we don’t just have one purpose, either. Perhaps our purposes change throughout our lives, influenced and affected by the people we come in contact with, the way that we spend our time, and the choices that we make. You have the power to follow the purpose you feel called towards, whether you believe that it comes from a higher power, or from within yourself. And you know what’s great? You also have the power to change your mind, at any time.

While searching for your purpose, remember always to live in the moment as well. As Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “Joy is never tomorrow; it is always now.”

Paige Leigh Reist is a lifestyle writer and the blogger behind thewholesomehandbook.com.

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