There are days I have questioned my very mere existence, sort of like the “why am I here? What was I placed to do on this earth. I have had people joke and even call others “waste of space” very derogatory if you ask me. I don’t believe anyone can be a waste of space. We all serve a calling, yet sometimes I have found myself questioning mine. Wondering if what I am doing is right or enough, or even what legacy I would leave when I am long gone.
I asked a few friends of mine if they believed in a purpose and if they found theirs, and if it was fulfilling for them? I got all manner of answers. They all circled back to one thing though, they all wanted in their own way to leave an indelible mark on this world. They wanted to be remembered for their small contribution they had on this world. That’s what I thought summarized purposeful living.
Does purpose change?
There were times I would have sworn that I knew what my purpose was, and I stuck with it for years. And when something altered this sense of purpose, I found myself lost and questioning what my purpose was.
Showing up for your purpose.
In 2022, I went through such a phase. I prefer to say I was adjusting and realigning. It was the first time I was going through such a transition, and it shook me like a tsunami. I had lost my voice, not literally but in so many other ways. I thought I had lost my purpose too. Ever been in dark space, a pit you know not how you would get yourself out? That was me in the depths of it all. The struggle was real. I listened to podcasts that would help me find myself. I wanted to rebuild so bad but had little strength to do it. What’s my purpose? Was a question that lingered on at this point.
Purposeful living.
Purposeful living is a conscious decision to do things in a way that aligns with your core beliefs and values and in a way that makes you happy.
My experiences have taught me that purpose doesn’t necessarily remain constant. It is more of that thing that gives you the energy to wake up each day excited to get something done and achieve something. For instance, a new parent may find a new purpose when their child is born, it could be in nurturing their children or working to ensure they don’t miss out on anything. A poet may find new purpose in creating pieces that speak for a social cause and a sign language teacher may find it exciting to teach a class sign language and ensure smooth communication.
Find your purpose.
When we go through a rough patch, it’s easy to not find anything exciting. We mostly are hanging on by a thread and days and months could go by. It’s okay to stop and take a break and heal us before we can get on track. Self-care is a big part of purposeful living.
What’s that thing that gives you purpose?
