On Purpose

Three Things I’ve Learned About How to Live on Purpose

“What the hell am I doing here?” That’s often one of the first questions I hear from clients and others looking for guidance. Honestly, I don’t know the answer. And even if you don’t currently know the answer, only you can unlock the mysteries of your purpose.

So, how do we figure out who we are and why we’re here?

I’ve been studying this topic for over thirty years. I’ve been sharing my findings for over twenty years. I’m still searching for answers.

There are books. These are some I’ve read over the years:

• The Life You We’re Born to Live

• Life On Purpose

• Purpose Driven Life

There are systems. These are some I’ve studied:

• Ikigai

• Enneagram

• Human Design

You can look within yourself. Been there. Tried that.

• Yoga and martial arts

• Meditation and contemplation

• Prayer, religion, and spirituality

The conundrum is that we may discover part of our purpose today, but as we grow and evolve in our thinking, being, and doing, more and more of our purpose becomes clear. To paraphrase the wise words of Shrek, we are like onions. We have layers. What Shrek failed to share was that the more layers we peel back, the more layers we find.

So why do we spend so much time and energy trying to find our purpose? Will our lives be magically transformed when we find it? Have you found yours? Were there rainbows and bluebirds flying around when you discovered it? Did a lightening bolt strike the ground beside you?

---

Here’s what I’ve discovered.

1. Your purpose isn’t your job or career. While your career may reflect your purpose, it’s not your reason for being here. For example, your purpose isn’t being a doctor. But, your purpose may be your passion for caring for people and healing, which fits well with a career as a doctor or nurse or EMT or massage therapist or yoga instructor.

2. Your purpose shows itself in your interests and passions. It is something that may be considered a “gift”, like being artistic, or an ability to solve puzzles, or logical thinking skills. When you have hobbies or a job that includes these innate gifts, you excel at and enjoy what you do.

3. Your interests may change. Your career may change. Your underlying purpose and gifts will always guide you where you need to go next. If something lights you up, it’s likely right in line with your purpose.

Your purpose is more than what you do in life, your job or career, but you will see your purpose as an underlying theme in everything you do. What interests bring you closer to feeling the universal love that we all belong to? Where are you guided that allows you to express a deep love for everything around you? These feelings are hints of your purpose.

We’ve been conditioned to fear doing the “wrong thing”. But fear is the opposite of love.

When we fear, we question what we are doing.

When we fear, we question our abilities.

When we fear, we question our faith in the Universe’s divine path.

But, when we are in the energy of love, we understand that whatever we choose to do or be is the right choice. In love, it can only be the right choice.

---

Human Design is an intriguing tool for discovering how we operate in the world and holds one of the keys to discovering our individual purposes.

If you’d like to explore your design and how you operate in the world, find out about your Human Design and see how it might help you find the tools you need for discovering your purpose and creating your best life.