We all have a purpose. I’m sure you’ve heard that before. But what is your purpose? Have you defined what that is for you? When you hear that word—purpose—do you think of a massive undertaking, such as finding a cure for aids, or finding a new planet for humans to colonize? Purpose is a strong word. Of course, I’m here to tell you that no one can define your purpose, no external source can dictate your internal perspective. That is to say, a purpose is as substantial as your perspective of the world, and what you feel your place is within the world.
You may feel your purpose is to be a watercolor artist, a violist, an author, or any of the millions of minute occupations that don’t necessarily scream grandiose! And that’s okay. Because your purpose is what fulfills you.
So, what fulfills you?
What inspires you to open your eyes in the morning, swing your legs over the edge of the bed and stand up?
What inspires you…?
Many of you just now may have been able to answer that question in your head. But many of you have not been able to. And that’s okay too. Sometimes it takes a journey, an experience, to fully understand ourselves. Live life; go through your ups and downs, your trials and tribulations. No one’s purpose is determined overnight. Our perspective is sharpened by the shrapnel of life’s challenges.
When considering your purpose, there is a perpetual war raging between external influences and internal convictions. Your parents have an idealized version of you in their heads. It’s there the moment you exit the womb. The direction of your life, the career path you’ll go down, the complexion and tone of voice of your spouse –all these elements are created and organized behind the twinkling eyes of a parent staring down at their crying newborn.
You cannot allow your perspective to be tainted by the opinion of others; while pursuing your purpose, there may be those around you who feel you were more easily accessible when you were aimless. Because those who have no direction in life feel a great deal of pressure when surrounded by a purposeful individual. You may notice in pursuit of your purpose that you’ll naturally distance yourself from misaligned affiliations. In other words, those around you who don’t carry the same commitment to purpose will subtlety fade away. You’ll be told that you’re behaving different, that you’re not yourself. To this end, it is expected that as you define your purpose, you will naturally transform your mind and behavior to support your endeavor, your pursuit.
External influences, from family, friends, to society, will attempt to dictate where your place is in the world. You’ll be forced to get a job you don’t want, to pay for a place you don’t like, to live in a society you don’t feel understands you. These are the consequences of an aimless individual. They’ll be swept in every direction the wind blows. They’re on autopilot, and life dictates which direction they travel. You may wonder, why would anyone allow themselves to be at the mercy of all these external factors? Who would volunteer to be a puppet, dancing to the choreography of randomness?
That’s a simple question to answer: The Aimless.
And so, you have a decision to make. One among many. But perhaps the most important. You have to decide whether you’ll be aimless or purposeful. Our lives are carved, molded, shaped into a definitive identity. Who’s the carver; who’s the molder, the shaper? Is this identity formed by your own hand, or others? I encourage you to assume the role of the molder. As expressed earlier, everyone has their own version of who you should be. They want to take the clay of your soul and sculpt it into their idea of you. And unless you take control over your shape, you’ll be a shadow in the corner, watching silently as strange hands mold your identity.
Define your purpose. Take control. Grab hold to the clay of your soul, and masterfully sculpt the definitive version of who you are. Because no one else can get it right. Only you.