If you knew that you would be successful when you took a chance and ventured out, would you do it? How about if you knew that you’d learn something important, even if it didn’t work out the way you’d planned, would you try anyway? It takes a certain amount of courage to trust ourselves and let our gifts lead, rather than doing only what is predictable and safe. Safe is understandable, and you could make a case for it. However, you can fall short of the greatness that lies within you, your true purpose for being here, by playing it safe. If you make even small strides towards being who you were meant to be and doing what you were born to do, your life and the world around you will change for the better without a doubt.
In Your Element
Some people make a living aligned with their purpose, using their gifts and talents to do what they do best and make a big difference. Others are in jobs that simply pay the bills, and do not necessarily inspire them or use their best skills. Since you spend most of your waking hours at your job, seek a position that uses your natural gifts. As much as possible, find your element, whether it is the people with whom you work or the job you do. Decide what is most important to you and do it.
How You Do What You Do
There is another way to look at your purpose. It has more to do with how you do what you do, rather than what you do. For instance, I know a wonderful man, Joe, my husband, who works in sales and does very well because of the way he uses his gifts. He finds purpose and joy in listening intently to his customers, genuinely making them feel important and heard, and directing them to what they need. He knows these important secrets: that life is all about the relationships and that people most often remember how you made them feel. He always goes the extra mile to let a customer know they are valued. His favorite quote is “under promise and over deliver.” He does that at work and in his personal life. That’s living with purpose.
Put Yourself Out There
My hilarious sister, Kathryn, has been a brilliant writer for as long as I can remember. She weaves stories that draw you in and make you laugh out loud or well up with tears. Until recently, she did not share her gift, worried that people might judge instead of value her. Last year, though, she summoned her courage and put herself out there. She now has a blog and writes regularly on Facebook to the delight of all her followers. We wait on the edge of our seats for her next post. While she has so many gifts, her ability to find the hilarious or touching side of even an ordinary event is fulfilling a much needed purpose: to make people laugh and cry at the same time, cathartic and healing.
Right Place, Right Time
I am a big believer in synchronicity, being at the right place at the right time for a specific purpose. Whether it is in the grocery store line, a doctor’s office waiting room, or some other seemingly common place, a kind word or an act of bravery can change everything. My life has been changed in an instant by kindness, either given or received. Look for these precious opportunities to be there for someone else, and notice when someone else is there for you. Being a participant in those moments feels like a heavenly purpose.
Relationship Purpose and Messages
Every relationship has a purpose and a message, even those that cause you trouble. In our cherished, supportive, and loving relationships, we find solace and strength to be our best selves. In more challenging relationships, we learn to build proper fences that will both protect us from and connect us to those around us. In toxic relationships, we learn to say “No!” or “Enough!” When said with intention, these are important words that define who we are and what we want or don’t want. Exploring the purpose of each of your relationships gives deeper meaning and direction to your life.
Whether it’s what you do or how you do what you do that matches your purpose, contribute your gifts to the world around you and love to the best of your ability. That’s the reason we are here.