Finding Purpose

At some point in our lives we reach that day of discovery, that point of awakening, where we realize our Spiritual nature. We realize that we're more than we could have possibly imagined and a new learning and seeking process begins. As we grow, we look beyond the common habits of life and begin searching for our purpose.

We ask ourselves questions like; why am I here? What is it I'm supposed to do? What's my role? I believe that there are common, basic purposes that are integral to who we are and we can identify those purposes through self examination. If you are some one's spouse, part of your purpose is to be the best spouse you can be. Only you can fulfill that role. The same applies if you are a sibling or a parent or grand parent. By title, you are in those roles. Everyone is some one's child and has a purpose in that capacity. It's up to us  to develop in those roles and accept those responsibilities. Those probably aren't the  thoughts that come to mind when we begin to search for our purpose. We're generally thinking of greater, more glamorous roles. But we do have basic, inherent responsibilities that are part of our overall purpose. I need to be the best "me" I can be and so do you. I need to be responsible for myself, my role in my family and beyond that in my community. 

Looking beyond our fundamental family and community purposes, we can discover what talents and abilities we possess. Our purpose exists within the framework of our abilities. As a youngster I imagined playing professional hockey in the NHL. Kids do have those types of dreams but as I matured I realized that simply wasn't a reality. I possess neither the athletic ability or necessary talent to achieve that dream. For me, to continue to believe that my purpose is to someday play in the NHL is complete fantasy. Accepting our limitations is by no means an admission of defeat or inferiority. On the contrary, it points us in the right direction by identifying what isn't our purpose. Some people have what appears to be unlimited talent and resources. Others have severe limitations. This clearly illustrates that we are on different paths with different goals and different purposes. We've been given the talent, abilities and resources we need to fulfill our purpose. We need not compare our situation with someone else's, it's not a competition. Each of us has a role to fill.

Our purpose, our individual mission, is also in agreement with Spiritual truths. Living our purpose fulfills us and helps us grow spiritually. It also helps others do the same thing. Our purpose doesn't build ego. It draws us from the base human instincts of anger, fear and greed. It's a talent to a have a great mind for numbers and finance. But using that talent to accumulate personal wealth while ignoring the greater surrounding need isn't living your purpose.However, using that talent to support your family, being charitable to the community and helping those in need is spiritually correct. It's a talent to be able to conceive and design mechanical devices and equipment. However, using that talent to create weaponry that kills humanity quicker isn't living your purpose. Using that ability to bring water to drought ridden communities is more appropriate. Our talents and abilities need to be directed to a higher purpose to find fulfillment and growth.

Our purpose can and does change as we live out our lives. We move from being the child to the parent. We transform from the student to the teacher. Hopefully we shed our ignorance and attain wisdom. The choices we make greatly affect our purpose. As beings of free will we choose which path we will take, and as experience teaches, we don't always make the right choice. We are all capable of finding and living our true purposes and also capable of derailing that purpose. It's up to us to search and to find our true purpose in life. We can find and live it or if we choose we can prevent it.