Someone once said to me life can be meaningless without direction and a sense of purpose.
The definition of the word purpose is - reason for existence: The reason for which something exists or for which it has been done or made.
It can be defined as intent to obtain a goal.
When you put that into perspective it does make a lot of sense.
There are those who have a sense of purpose and those who seem to have little or none.
The thing is everything and anyone can be connected to helping a person (s) towards their purpose in life.
Why am I here?
This is a question that puts most individuals at a crossroad in determining who they want to be.
There are many factors that can contribute to a person discovering a purpose in life such as family, religion, culture and friends.
All of these things feature in and help to develop an individual’s moral compass.
Does having a good or bad set of moral values play a key component in discovering one’s purpose?
Unfortunately there is good and bad in everything.
The struggle is we all have our own opinion of what is considered good or bad morally.
Every culture operates from within their own norm.
It’s is most often left up to the individual to choose.
Even though a negative purpose can have catastrophic effects on others the individual may truly believe they are fulfilling a true and good purpose.
Their actions are seen to them or others as the greater good.
An example of negative purpose might be someone who loves to instigate or facilitate conflict.
This is someone who for whatever reason likes to stir things up.
Have you ever heard someone say I will make it my sole purpose to destroy you?
Extreme purpose
An extreme purpose example can be presented through the conflict of war.
In World War II the Japanese fighter pilots would go on what was called suicide missions.
The sole purpose of their mission was to fly their planes into U.S. or European targets such as U.S. and other enemy Naval Ships.
A glorified intent for the Kamikaze but with disastrous results for those inflicted with such an extreme purpose.
(These tactics have now been applied by some extremist groups found in the Middle East in today’s society).
Good Purpose
Now let’s take a look for the moment at what society sees as the positive purposeful people.
Parents, Teachers, relatives or friends as stated can be very conducive discovering purpose in your life.
These examples surly play a vital role in trying to get us going in the right direction.
What makes a person decide to choose a career?
Many of us who work or serve in a public, social or religious capacity have somehow always felt the urge to try and be helpful to others.
Somehow it just came natural so by it coming to them naturally it became a purpose in their lives.
By being connected to the situations of others it allowed them to nourish their compassionate and empathic skills.
These natural talents are now being used to connect with others and possibly help them obtain focus on what their journey in life will be.
You might say that circumstances can help navigate ones arrival to their purpose.
At some juncture there may have been a teacher or a circumstance that set you on your path of discovery.
The connection between a teacher and a student who thrives or struggles gives the teacher meaning to their purpose while helping the student set their sights on a purpose of their own.
Nothing can highlight one’s purpose more than the relationship between a mother and her child.
There are some women who truly feel that their sole purpose was to be a mother.
It is the first connection we forge at the beginning of life and it can have the greatest impact on who we become as people.
As an example of this I would like to share a fictional story of a mother describing to her child the challenges and rewards of her purpose.
As a mother I loved you and watched you grow.
Through those first early months to years you were the center of my life and I yours.
You made me feel like a super hero; there to save the day whenever you had a scrape or tear.
You seem to feel comforted, safe and secure wrapped in my arms.
Seeing you smile would lighten any load I might be carrying on any given day.
I remember I cried on your first day of school and fought the urge to turn around and whisk you away. I would call and check up on you just to put my fears to rest.
As you became older and began to explore the outside world I felt like it was the first day all over again.
During your teen years we seem to have trouble making a connection with understanding one another.
My concern for you may have sometimes felt confining but it was done with the best of intentions.
Your rebellion made feel like somehow I had lost my super hero powers.
Independence was like a villain threatening the sanctity of our home.
It was a difficult time but through our differences love remained.
I hope that you understand that my purpose was and always is to try and keep you safe from harm.
I look at you now and can’t believe how much you have grown in what seems so little time.
I know I will think about these things as I watch you walk across that stage today and receive your diploma.
The tears will fall because of how proud I am of you on this day.
I wish you happiness, love and congratulations.
The mom in me will tell you to be proud of this moment but not satisfied with this one stepping stone, for it sets you on the path to accomplishing whatever goals you set forth.
It will be time to set you a sail and allow you to explore what comes next.
Once again it will be hard but I feel secure and comforted by the love we have.
I know now that it was not me who was the super hero catching you before every fall.
It was you saving me and giving my life true meaning all along.
Whatever direction of purpose we choose in life in some way it will be connected to another’s.
We don’t always have a say in our role with another’s purpose but we definitely feel the effects be they positive or negative.
Written By: Larry D. Miller
Larry D. Miller has over 20 yrs in the field of crisis intervention as a call center supervisor for a national crisis line for youth and families.
Larry enjoys spending time with his family, writing (Larry has completed and published his first book) and playing golf.
You can find him online at his book's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/How-to-cheat-and-not-get-busted/115333998547614?ref=hl) his blog http://larrydm.blogspot.com or his Twitter page (https://twitter.com/LarryDWWilf)
