Finding one’s purpose is a spiritual encounter. Living daily with purpose is a spiritual endeavor that becomes a seed in the rich, fertile ground of creativity. It presents opportunities to nurture and develop something of value and beauty, often from a mere thought or feeling. It welcomes the great Creator to create within. The daily activity is acting out in faith and believing in the unseen. It becomes a springboard in imagining and believing in what could be.
You were born prepacked. God looked at your entire life, determined your assignment and gave you the tools to do the job. God packed you on purpose for a purpose.
–Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Cold The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
–George Bernard Shaw, writer
Applying one’s true, unique, and authentic purpose presses a one-of-a-kind thumbprint on the path to divinity. Yes, a snowflake is beautiful and special–and so are you!
Since you are like no other being ever created since the beginning of time, you are incomparable.
–Brenda Ueland, writer
For me, finding one’s purpose is like coming home for the first and last time: the first time in that this new experience is so surreal and feels different from what you have ever experienced, and the last time in that it feels so magnificent that you will not venture too far from your newfound home of unparalleled significance, indescribable bliss, and unshakable peace.
The last several years our economic environment have produced anxiety and concern for our security and fulfillment in the future. Two basic psychological needs most humans have are feelings of security and a sense of significance, and these times pose a grave threat to both. So many people today feel that something’s not right, that something’s missing. And guess what? Something very big is missing and causing a sense of emptiness and desperation. In my opinion, never has there been a more critical time for people to discover the purpose God specifically designed for them and then really live it!
My interpretation of quiet desperation is that it is an emotional disease. It’s been said before that the word disease should be hyphenated, as in dis-ease. I see a mind in a state of quiet desperation as a mind that is not at ease, and I see purpose as the restoration and vaccination for the emotional dis-ease of quiet desperation. Purpose is the perfect prescription for the healing of a lack of fulfillment that so many quietly wrestle with.
It is important that people feel a sense of worth. It is also essential that people feel they possess inherent value that is different from others. Living with Purpose PIE ® satisfies these desired needs.
Just like ships are not to remain in a safe harbor, we were designed not to remain in our safe, familiar comfort zones. I have found that a great emotional tool to help us keep moving forward with purpose is the daily exercise of repeating positive affirmations. One of mine is, “Every day, in every way, by the loving grace of God, I’m blissful, stronger, healthier, wealthier, and my life is full of passion, purpose, peace, and love … and for this I am grateful.”
Affirmations help counter negativity from friends, family, or colleagues and keep you on the path to really living in the sweet spot of life. Following are some Purpose PIE ® affirmations and principles to give you added clarity and strength in breaking through your safe and familiar comfort zone.
Purpose PIE ® Affirmations
1) Purpose is God’s will for me.
2) I have been designed with a true, unique, and authentic purpose. 3) Living with purpose heals others and myself.
4) It is healthy for me to nurture my purpose daily.
5) Purpose fills me with bliss, and for this I am grateful.
6) As I listen to my inner voice, I am led to new and exciting discoveries.
7) Living with purpose keeps me in the present, which is a gift.
8) Living with purpose helps me to serve God in a greater capacity. 9) My purpose is always filled with integrity, truth, and love.
10) Living with purpose allows me to play out the divine plan in
my life.
Purpose PIE ® Principles
1) When we are open to purpose, we open ourselves to trust and faith.
2) Living with purpose is as natural as the air that we breathe.
3) Living with purpose is a daily spiritual experience.
4) As we give our purposes away, we help and heal others and ourselves.
5) Purpose is the antidote to unfulfillment and regret.
6) As we play out our purposes, we move closer to our intended destiny.
7) As we live purposeful lives, we become more creative, hopeful, and expectant.
8) When we choose to live with purpose, we choose to live in our true nature.
9) Purpose feels more like play and less like work, yet you will accomplish more.
10) Living with purpose is an exercise in open-mindedness.
You are lost the instant you know what the result will be.
–Juan Gris
Just as it took great courage for Lewis and Clark to explore new frontiers, it will take courage for you to explore the vast and limitless frontier of purpose. Always remain open-minded to the wonder of what can be. Start with the first baby step and the next, the next, and so forth. Then one day you will give yourself permission to be okay with stumbling forward into the brave new world of purposeful living.
You will find that exploration is generous with priceless gifts to the bold and courageous! So don’t concern yourself with the destination but the journey. Revel in the experience, and relish each and every moment.
Become the exploration extraordinaire that God fully intended you to be. You will be glad you did, and so will the people who cross your path of life.
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the above article. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? What are you still working on accepting?
I have accepted the fact that living a life without purpose is just living and not “really” living and the difference makes all the difference in the world. That my greatest fear is not in being inadequate, but being powerful, creative and resourceful beyond measure.
What have you learn to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? What are you still working on to appreciate?
I appreciate that I am now an all-in, purpose-centered, purpose-led person. I’m still working on having a greater appreciation for all the unexpectedly wonderful coincidences and serendipitous moments that continually show up for me since I’ve uncovered and acting out my life’s purpose.
What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? What makes YOU most proud? What goals and dreams do you still have?
One of my most rewarding achievements in life has been the publishing of my book:
Purpose Pie
Really Living in the Sweet spot of Life
What makes me most proud is that my book has attracted many marvelous blessings and opportunities.
- The invitation and privilege to write articles in sharing my gifts,values and passions with Identity Magazine.
- My participation where I was interviewed for the radio program “Making Your Life Count” that will soon be aired over 1,500 radio stations worldwide
- MyupcomingliveonehourT.V.interviewaboutmybook,PurposePie
- The opportunity of my recent certificationas a“MasterCertifiedPurpose Coach” by Dr. Phil Harkins. Dr. Harkins is an internationally acclaimed author/speaker/coach in the areas of communication & leadership and holds three post-graduate degrees from Harvard.
- The invitation I’ve received from“WorldPurposeForum”to partner with them in speaking, coaching and writing opportunities that will have a presence in six continents.A goal and dream that I have is to complete a childrens book on purpose, that I’m currently working on.
We all have imperfections,so we think.The truth–we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? What imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
Once of my not-so-perfect ways is taking too long to complete projects.
One of my quirks is I see myself as a woodpecker. Even though it may take a lengthy duration of time to complete some meaningful project, I just keep pecking away until it is a reality. I’m slow, but passionately persistent.
“I LoveMy…”is an outlet for you to express and appreciate all the positive traits that make you…well… YOU! Sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (we assure you!) Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
“I Love My… sweet spot of purpose” This is my OBT (one big thing), my calling, my mission, my Purpose Pie (Passion-Inspiration-Enthusiasm); if you will.
My “Sweet Spot” of who I am and why I’m here in this very moment in time is to… “Inspire others to find their voices and create their best lives.”