I Wrote This One On Purpose

Recently, I’ve been prompted to write about “my purpose,” and the more I think about it, the more my answer evolves. It’s been kind of tricky for me to name, but finally, I think I’ve got it. This all began a few months ago when I accepted an assignment for Spirituality & Health Magazine’s “Find Your Calling” section (see below). Since then, I’ve received two additional assignments about purpose -and- I was surprised to be asked about it by Bold Journey Magazine when they interviewed me last week. 

Hmmm…interesting timing!

Down the rabbit hole

It’s been a great thought exercise for me, helping me sharpen my ideas and consider what “my purpose” even means. I started thinking of it in terms of my professional life. 

If my purpose is tied to my daily work, then it’s to be a writer and grief educator. 

But wait. I’m so much more than that…. 

If tied to relationships, is it being a daughter, sister, girlfriend, or mom (or cat mom!)? 

But, if we define our purpose this way, what happens when we retire and our relationships evolve or even end?

In thinking about my purpose not as a single “thing” but as many things, I was getting closer. But then, I thought of it entirely differently, and that changed everything.

Detaching my relationships and my work from my purpose, a new understanding  emerged:  

From there, I thought about how I’m showing up in the world. Taking an ever closer look (yikes), I asked myself:

 Am I showing up and acting from a place of fear or love? 

 It’s realllllllly easy for me to tell the difference.

When it’s fear, I’m anxious, annoyed, stingy, hurried, and unkind. (ick)

When it’s love, I’m calm, compassionate, generous, patient, and kind. (yay)

I’m my best self when I stay grounded in love, so that’s how I want to show up in the world. I’m not saying it IS how I show up 100% of the time – far from it. 

So, I’m choosing love. On purpose. And I’m going to keep trying.

Again and again and again.

I mean, in the end, isn’t love the purpose of it all?