Usually, you would find the word passion instead of the word purpose. Don’t get me wrong, passion is good. It is terrific when you have it, but it can also fade. Passion is energy. It can push you further, faster, and beyond our standard capabilities. However, you don’t start with it. It results from doing work you find fulfilling AND meaningful. When passion grows, you know you found your purpose.
It can be very disenchanting if you start your journey looking for passion and can not find it. This lack of passion can happen for various reasons, mainly fear. If your dreams are big enough, they should scare you. However, fear does not facilitate passion. Success incites passion. Instead, start looking for something you find fulfilling and meaningful. Once you find the meaning and fulfillment, the passion will come.
The heart of human excellence often begins to beat when you discover a pursuit that absorbs, frees, or gives you a sense of meaning, joy, or passion.
-Terry Orlick
Your purpose is what you find when you are living life. Have you heard of the moms (MADD) who lost their children to DWI accidents? Look what they achieved. Maybe you have heard of moms whose children were born with a disease, suffer an injury, or have a disability? So, they work tirelessly to raise awareness and find solutions. How about all those moms who design solutions to simple everyday problems all of us mothers face? If you are under the illusion that moms don’t have time to find or have a purpose, you are mistaken. Having children led these women to their purpose.
My son grabbed my world and shook it to its core, then gave me an improved one where I found my purpose. My purpose is to protect and heal young children who have entered foster care. If you aren’t sure what yours is yet, watch this short TED talk by Adam Leipzig.
How do you find your purpose in life? According to Mr. Liepzig it is as easy as answering the following five questions:
- Who are you?
- What do you do?
- Who do you do it for?
- What do they want or need?
- What do they get out of what you do?
Give it a try. Here is an example I wrote up for myself.
- Who are you? Keira
- What do you do? I show kids love, strength, and stability.
- Who do you do it for? I do it for the kids who are separated from their families.
- What do they need? A place where they can recover from the trauma of being taken from their families.
- What do they get out of it? A chance to carry on a life with some normalcy, complete with love and support.
You also realize that you are not limited to only one purpose. I have many guiding me through life. The key is to know what they are so you know when you are veering off course.
Do not doubt what you have inside you. You have what it takes to find that purpose and achieve those dizzying heights you’re destined to succeed. You are a mom!
Finding your purpose can be a deeply personal and reflective process. Here are some strategies to help you discover our purpose:
What activities or hobbies bring me joy and fulfillment?
What are my natural talents and strengths?
What topics or issues am I most passionate about?
What values and principles are most important to me? What activities or tasks make you lose track of time?
What do you find yourself daydreaming or fantasizing about?
What activities or tasks make you feel energized and motivated?
What kind of impact do you want to make in the world?
What do you enjoy learning or reading about?
How do you want to be remembered by others?
Remember, finding your purpose is a personal and unique journey. It may take time and self-reflection, but by exploring your passions, values, strengths, and impact on others, you can uncover a sense of purpose that brings fulfillment and meaning to your life.
