| It may seem like finding a purpose has become sort | | | | find your purpose in driving a church bus, or teaching |
| of a psychology buzz word for these days. The truth | | | | Sunday School. |
| is, however, living for a purpose really will give your | | | | One thing that generally characterizes a purpose in |
| life meaning and structure. To have a purpose is a | | | | life is that it usually helps people, or possibly animals. |
| step beyond simply having a goal in life. A goal can be | | | | If your mission is to create beautiful music or art, |
| very materialistic, but a purpose will probably be | | | | ultimately you are being a blessing to your audience. |
| altruistic instead. (In case you're unfamiliar with the | | | | If you only create beauty for your own enjoyment, |
| word "altruistic," it means that you are concerned | | | | you are likely to become self-centered and narrow. |
| about the welfare of someone else and not just | | | | Reaching out to others as a benefactor is an |
| your own benefits.) | | | | essential part of a great purpose. |
| Really, you're not looking for "a" purpose, but for | | | | Your purpose, while it might be primarily a blessing to |
| "your" purpose. The purpose that will make your life | | | | someone outside yourself, is likely to fulfill you as |
| meaningful will be unique to you. It will be an | | | | well. A great purpose will be something that you |
| expression of your innermost concerns and thoughts. | | | | really love to do and that you feel well equipped to |
| It will also be the result of your experiences, because | | | | do. For instance, if children make you nervous, your |
| these have shaped the person you are, with your | | | | mission in life will probably not involve teaching or |
| innermost thoughts and concerns. | | | | caring for them. You might find helping the elderly or |
| Have you ever noticed how, in a group of people, | | | | the handicapped to be extremely rewarding, |
| each one will have something different that really | | | | however. |
| gets them going? It might be concern for someone | | | | Your purpose in life may or may not be the thing |
| who is poor, or compassion for homeless animals, or | | | | that pays your bills. It's wonderful if a person can be |
| possibly a love for the arts. By looking to these | | | | involved in meaningful work while earning their |
| emotional hot spots, you can get an idea of what | | | | income, but simply earning money to pay the family's |
| your purpose, or mission, in life really is. | | | | bills is a great work in itself. |
| Often a person's purpose is shaped by the | | | | One idea to turn any occupation into more of a |
| experiences they had during childhood, whether | | | | purpose for your life is to focus not just on the |
| these experiences were good or bad. For instance, if | | | | work and the paycheck, but also on the people who |
| you were an abused child, you may feel a mission, or | | | | will be benefited by your work. If you are a |
| calling, to help other children who are abused, or | | | | mechanic, for instance, do your work well so the |
| perhaps you have a desire to counsel abusive adults. | | | | owner of the car will be blessed by your skill. |
| If your school experiences were positive, it might | | | | Whether you work in a bank, restaurant, office, or |
| spur you to a purpose as a teacher. If caring | | | | factory, someone will get the benefit of the work |
| neighbors gave you a ride to church, maybe you'll | | | | you do. Focus on them while you work. |