Living with passion and purpose is key to creating the life we wan and drawing meaning from it. It even helps us live a longer and healthier life. Yet, for many of us, life’s most persistent question, “What is my passion and purpose?” eludes us. Discovering what gets us out of bed every morning can be an overwhelming, confusing and even daunting process. We have so many mindsets that dictate what we should do that it makes it difficult to discover what aligns with our heart. We’re so afraid we’ll make a mistake, or lose what we have that we avoid taking the time to find the answers. And yet, we wonder why we seem to drift aimlessly through life without a direction or anchor.
Living with passion and purpose begins with listening to and following our heart. When we lead with our heart, we express the light of our being. We feel a sense of ease, trust and alignment with our higher self. As human beings, we are more accustomed to “doing” rather than “being.” However, expressing our true being is not the job we do, roles we play, or even our long-term goals. It’s embodying love, exuding joy, and creating a flow of energy that inspires conscious and purposeful choices. This is “being on purpose” in every moment.
The founder of Apple, Inc., Steve Jobs, in his commencement speech at Stanford University, speaks to being on purpose when he poses the question, “If today were the last day of my life would I want to do what I’m about to do today.” When you can answer with a resounding “Yes,” you’re making a choice that aligns with your heart. If the question brings you to pause or say “No,” then you step back and examine your choices. Living with passion and purpose requires that every thought, feeling and choice be clear, positive and in alignment with your heart.
Here are some suggestions:
1) Begin each day in gratitude. Acknowledge that you are alive and on purpose by choosing to be here at this time.
2) Take time every day for being still. Close your eyes, open your heart and ask yourself: “Why am I here?”
3) Be aware of the experiences that inspire you, create joy or make your heart sing. Notice the elements that run through these experiences and let them guide the choices you make.
4) Write down your vision of your life now, in six months, in a year, and in five years. Pick three steps that you can take right now. Take the steps.
Your soul’s purpose is to express the light of your being in every moment. This isn’t defined or limited by finding the one reason you are here. Moreover, it encompasses a multitude of passions that inspire purposeful living as a meditation through life. Be love, make your dreams a reality and assist others to do the same and you will create all you want.
Debra L. Reble, Ph.D.
Award-winning Author of Soul-Hearted Partnership: Creating the Ultimate Experience of love, Passion and Intimacy
