Finding your purpose can be a daunting task and for most people it is a lifelong journey that expands throughout time, in alignment with your experiences. For thousands of years, even dating back to biblical times, people have sought to make sense of their lives.
I am a firm believer in the philosophy that each person has innate things that they are naturally good at, talents if you will - and they have been placed here to use those talents for the good of mankind. You may not readily place yourself amongst the Nobel Peace prize winners or early civil rights activist - but you are, you are meant to do great things, walk in that! Your passion and heart for helping children may be used to educate our world’s future or to become a court appointed advocate for the voiceless. Your eye for design and art may be used to shine a light on the darkest of places - allowing your audience to view the world differently.
As I mentioned in the article - Why GINCE Was Created? - I always knew, even if faintly in the back of mind, that there was a calling on my life. It wasn’t until recently, with the birth of my son, that I was intentional about doing the work to understand myself - face my past traumas, to open my eyes to my calling. There was something that I was supposed to do with all the experiences and challenges I had encountered in this life. I am being called to share my perspective for what I have learned along the way, to help someone who may have or will experience the same.
Tips for finding your purpose
Discover your natural talents.
Answering this prompt may take some undoing - turning off the negative voice that has been left to run loose inside your mind. For some your natural talents will be apparent because you are already operating in them. For others, it may take some experimenting, trial and error. I have taken quite a few strength or aptitude tests in my years to obtain the answer to this for myself. So get out there, try something new - which leads me to my next point.
Give back to the community.
Another great way to learn about yourself and finding purpose is by giving back to your local community. Acts of service to others not only offers you a sense of pride but also exposes you to new opportunities to use your natural abilities in ways you haven’t before. Get engaged with your community by going to their online landing page and searching for volunteer opportunities. You’d be amazed at the numerous ways you could give back.
Read.
Take yet another opportunity to learn something new by immersing yourself in a field of study or skill set you’ve always wanted to learn. Reading enhances your imagination for what’s possible, but can also motivate you to achieve more. Reading also offers you an avenue for self improvement. Many people have walked a similar path as you and have chronicled what they’ve learned in self help books, to help others.
Share your story.
You don’t have to be a professional writer or speaker to share your life’s journey with others. Often, just sharing with a select few close family members or friends could be instrumental to not only their healing, but your own as well. One huge benefit I’ve found from sharing my story is the new awareness I now have looking back. I’ve learned so many beautiful things about myself that came out of some pretty trying times in my life.
The challenge
Take some time to list the things you are naturally good at - and if you are struggling to make this list, ask close family and friends what they see in you. Sometimes we pass off our gifts as everyday or mundane but no one can do what you do, quite like you do it.
For reference: Your purpose is your “What?” Your gifts and talents are your “How?” It may be easier to begin your journey to purpose by identifying your talents first and then working to understand how they can be used to bring about meaningful change in this life.
Here I have made a short list of my own to provide some perspective on non-traditional gifts and talents: good speaker, empathetic, inviting and unbiased to speak with. People are drawn to me to ask for advice or to be a listening ear. I care a lot and am drawn to help others.
Once you tap into your purpose, you will undoubtedly find others traveling along a similar path as you. These new connections can further ignite the calling in you.
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