There always seems to come a time in one’s life when the questions come up; what am I doing with my life? Where am I going? This doesn’t interest me anymore, but what else can I do? Sometimes these questions come early in life, when we graduate from school, begin looking for a job, start a business or think about continuing with education. But sometimes it comes when we least expect it. Sometimes, the question will come out of the blue, when you are sitting in the car, eating a bowl of soup or taking a walk, for example - or on vacation! It can come after a major disruption, such as a break-up in a relationship or failed business attempt. The questions can vary from person to person but the bottom line usually is the same, what is my purpose in life?
If you find yourself suddenly questioning everything you do or finding out that the things that once interested you do not give you pleasure anymore, then be grateful for this awareness! You are listening to your inner voice and that inner voice can be telling you that change is happening or will soon be happening in your life. That is, if you want it to. So what do you do? What you do depends on what you are questioning in your mind. It is important to be still and reflect, and most importantly to listen and feel the emotions in your body, because your emotions can show you where your thoughts are directing you in life. Are you feeling good about thinking of the change? Are you feeling bad? What thoughts make you feel bad? Maybe that is not the direction you should be going. Explore what you are thinking about, based on how it is making you feel. Keep in mind that this can be a valuable time to make small changes in what you are already doing to improve your outcome. Or, this can be a time to make big changes and move away from what you are doing completely, to gain a different experience in your life.
However, sometimes the process is not simple and straightforward. For many the choice to make a change can happen quickly. But for other people, the process of change can take a year or even longer. The process of going through change and finding one’s purpose can require that first question to be answered by another question and then another question and even more questions. These steps are part of the process needed at times to get to the core of one’s true desire. Frustrating as it may seem, it is a process that enhances growth and self-awareness in the end. The idea of ‘purpose’ can also be overwhelming for many people. Usually people think it means having to be or do something grandiose. But great masters will say that ‘purpose’ can just be doing the mundane everyday events in one’s life, well. Being purposeful is just as important as finding a purpose and maybe even more so. Because being purposeful in anything you do, no matter how small, means being Mindful. And being Mindful means living and appreciating the moment, regardless of past experiences or lofty goals yet to be accomplished.
So if you are on a path of self-discovery, a path of change or just a trying to retain more awareness in your life, remember, your purpose is now…being, doing, living your moment at this exact time.
