Do you know what your purpose in life is? This is not a question that’s easy for many to answer. Purpose is a thing that we seem to be chasing, trying to figure out as it morphs and changes and slips through our fingers. One day we think it’s one thing and the next we think it’s something else. I have great respect and admiration for individuals who are absolutely clear on their purpose in life. they have a sharp focus and invariably are quite successful. That’s not me.
PURPOSE AND LONELINESS
A friend and I were discussing this topic after reading an article in Psychology Today: An Important Factor That Protects Against Loneliness. Ah, loneliness a state of mind/feeling that chases many of the over fifty crowd. It’s a very interesting article, but if you don’t care to read it, the answer to this problem is what you’d guess from my blog topic. The antidote to loneliness is having a “purpose”.
My friend is one of those people I admire because she’s absolutely certain of her purpose in life. She feels it in her bones and lives it every day. Unlike many purposeful people I’ve known before, she’s not hung up on the details of what that purpose is. She believes she embodies her purpose everywhere she is just by being the best she can be, her truest self. And, she’s keenly aware of the ripple effect of what she does and who she is.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
If you take a few moments to think about the ripple effect each of us produces in a lifetime you don’t have to look far to find examples of each extreme. Nelson Mandela. Donald Trump. Gandhi. Putin. These extremes offer us clear, albeit broad guidelines as to where we might line up our collective words, actions and deeds over our lifetime.
Maybe it’s not necessary to have a specific purpose, such as to find a cure for cancer, though I’m certainly glad there are people who do. Perhaps it’s enough to work diligently throughout ones life to work at becoming a kinder, gentler, wiser being and in doing so create more kindness in love in the world with a ripple effect.
For those who have suffered greatly at one time or another, perhaps the clearest, most valiant purpose is to do what one can to heal the pain and discover what it means to experience joy and in living forward witnessing this process to other souls who suffer.
CULTURAL GASLIGHTING
Cultural expectations and norms as we experience them, particularly in wealthier nations, tends to cast a shadow over the true meaning of a thing like purpose. It would have us think we should do something visibly grand for it to be a thing of value. We are mesmerized, confused and ultimately befuddled as to why we lack clarity and focus. When taught from an early age to measure up to someone else’s expectations and guidelines of success, we lose sight of our true nature and calling, and thus lose sight of our true purpose.
This is all just something to think about, but I do agree that a sense of purpose can go a long way in helping one overcome debilitating loneliness. I hope you’ll dip into the article long enough to see and reflect on the questions at the end. If you’re longing for a purpose in your life, these questions will get you started. In the meantime, give yourself credit for the positive ripple effect you’ve left in your wake. The world is a better place because you’re in it.
