What is your purpose in life? 

Part 32 in a series by Karen A. Stevenson, President, Studio K Salon

What is your purpose in life?  Not what do you DO with your life, not who do you KNOW, and not how much MONEY do you have, but what is your purpose? 

 Purpose for the sake of this writing would be something that you have a passion for.  Something that drives you with interest, intrigue, and the need to continue to grow.  It is something that you enjoy doing that gives to others in a unique way.   Purposeful living is something that gives you satisfaction, a sense of wholeness, and something that may change others.  Maybe your purpose is something as simple as volunteering at a Senior Citizen’s home on a weekly basis and talking to some of the elderly.  Purpose may be writing a newsletter and communicating to people in a particular group.  Maybe purpose is inviting people into your home for a quilting get-together, PTA, or cleaning the school grounds. 

 We cannot say it is very purposeful if we merely go to work, run to the grocery store, and watch television at night in order to wind down.  Purpose is more substantial than that.  It gives you a drive for living.  I suppose parents could say their purpose is to raise their children, however, those children are going to grow up and not need you anymore.  Your own life must have a purpose beyond family alone.

 I personally don’t believe that purposeful living is something that has to do with merely oneself.  Therefore, it doesn’t count to say that your purpose is to win the 6 pack abs contest, because that isn’t giving to others.  Sure, it is a focus, but it isn’t outward sharing.  It is completely all about your OWN self. 

 Standing behind a hair chair you can imagine how many conversations I have on a daily basis.  Each client offers a new and exciting way of understanding human nature, and what drives them in life.  Body language and facial expressions are a tell-tale sign of what makes a person happy, sad, what is exciting, what is boring.  I can watch their passion rise as they speak of something they feel strongly about,.  I can see what hurts, what heals, what depresses, what elates.  Funny, most people’s work doesn’t seem to get the most rise out of them.  It is their passions, their flair, the things that are meaningful to them above and beyond family, and necessity.

 What are your gifts?  What are your talents?  Have you considered if you are a computer guru, that you could volunteer your knowledge once a week and help a group of older citizens understand how to use email?  Is your passion reading?  You could possibly volunteer at the local library or school and your reading would open the mind and imagination of young children.  Is your passion gardening?  Your church, homeowners association or school would appreciate your hands-on knowledge, your leadership, and your labor.  Is your passion cooking?  What about the kitchens that feed the less fortunate? Love running or jogging?  What about volunteering at the next marathon fund raiser for a purpose?   What gives, what enlightens, and what offers yourself to the community in some fashion that gives you the opportunity to stop focusing on yourself, or your own four walls, and reaches out?

 I heard the most unique tidbit the other day in a video seminar setting.  The speaker said the very thing in life that gave you the most pain, caused you the most hurt, could possibly be the thing you should open up about, and share with other’s because there are people out there that have suffered in the same way you have, and need to hear YOUR story.  Ponder that point a moment.  What dug the deepest?  What hurt the most?  Consider if that very issue would possibly minister to someone else?

 Oftentimes we can recognize the people that are the unhappiest.  They are the ones that do not give to others.  They are so focused on their own life; their own issues their own ‘what about me?’ thoughts they don’t give other people the time of day nor do they satiate the human need to open their hearts and souls to others.  Some don’t even satiate their need to communicate to people other than superficial and work related things.  Their conversations are so empty they’ve lost their passion, or their very purpose in all aspects.

 It takes great thought to analyze what your gifts and talents are.  It takes deeper thought when you consider what you can do for someone else that involves your gifts and talents in an outward way.  If you are one of the people that has a drive and purpose, GOOD FOR YOU!   I commend your ability to have recognized that need, and moved forward with it.  If you have not considered your purpose, I challenge you to find your niche in life, and start investigating where you would be welcomed with open arms for your giving nature to help others.