Searching for purpose can feel overwhelming at times. And more pressing is the fact that sometimes we don’t just have one singular purpose, or, that purpose could change from day to day, year to year or decade to decade.
Searching for Purpose
What is my purpose? The one sweltering question we try so hard to answer and fulfill in our lives but often leaves us cold, feeling confused or frustrated.
There could be so many possible answers. More pressing is the fact that sometimes we don’t just have one singular purpose, or, that purpose could change from day to day, year to year or decade to decade. We need to get comfortable with the idea of going with the flow and trusting our innate instinct.
Things to Keep in Mind When Searching for Purpose
Job Conundrums
We could be happily (or unhappily) plodding along in a job for many years when one day you wake up and being a (blank) no longer seems to ‘fit’ into your life anymore.
You scratch your head thinking ‘what could I possibly want out of life now? I thought I was a (blank)?’
Never label yourself as one thing or another — you will restrict the flow of your life. The answer could be that you are a quantum, multi-dimensional, layered being. This means that you could be causing a change in many numerous ways, even on a subconscious level. We have inbuilt indicators that start beeping when your contract is about to reconfigure or needs to change. This is why I will put emphasis on the fact that we need to learn to trust ourselves and our intuition. You may want to dig your feet into the ground in resistance but you need to entertain the prospect that it is time to move on.
You may either need to professionally pick up and move into another arena or to physically move yourself to another location to shine your light where it is needed more.
Change is the Only Constant
We, as human beings, do not relish change. In fact, for some, it is a frightening prospect. The uncomfortable truth is that the only constant in this life is change. The sooner you can make your peace with that, the better you will be able to adapt to any given situation.
The reasons for change can be countless and I like to refer to these seemingly non-linear events as ‘quantum’. We are navigating in a world of quantum soup, where there are many probabilities layering themselves upon each other. There are so many levels to our lives and the majority of these are unseen or subconsciously being carried out. So if you have a niggling feeling that your life needs an overhaul, it is probably time to start making that happen.
The Universe, Source, Higher Self or God — whichever you prefer — has layered these events to unfold in divine timing and you will be gracefully cushioned to your next phase with ease — that is, of course, if you don’t resist. If you insist on resisting the process, you will probably still get there in the end but it will be the long and bumpy cart-ride instead of the smooth bullet train.
From the Horses Mouth
I speak from personal experience as I have done a lot of job hopping and career labeling in my time. I started my young life out being very artistic and decided to become an Interior Designer. Then I hit my early twenties and joined a band. In between remedial jobs, I decided to go back to art and became a full-time painter. This was going well until I got my ‘spiritual nudge’ to write a book. This confused the living daylights out of me because I had labeled myself as an ‘artist’. I was not a ‘writer’! However, I decided not to fight what was coming out and wrote my first book.
I realized that I loved writing — who would have thought? I decided to write and paint but this became very taxing. I got my final nudge to trim back on the art and concentrate on the writing, which is where I am at now. What this whole process has taught me is to surrender to the now and to not fear change because that is where your excitement lies.
Try asking yourself these 4 deep questions:
What do you feel like doing now?
What is it you would do if money wasn’t an issue?
What is your gut/instinct telling you?
Where do the synchronicities or signposts point you?
If you are having some challenges identifying your purpose, a good place to start is in meditation. The wonders that quiet reflection can do is innumerable. When you are in this state of centered awareness ask yourself ‘what is my purpose?’ and just see what comes up for you.
The answer could be immediate or it could take a couple of hours, days or weeks to come through.
Follow those Synchronous Markers
The key is to be patient and follow the signs and synchronicities. They will be there to guide you. You will have your light-bulb moment if you are dedicated to looking for these pointers.
Just remember they can come to you in many ways— through dreams, meditation, the TV/internet/radio, through people or conversation and pretty much any other precursor that is relevant to your particular question or purpose.
But I Need to Make Money
“When I chased after money, I never had enough. When I got my life on purpose and focused on giving of myself and everything that arrived into my life, then I was prosperous.” ~ Wayne Dyer
Yeah, tell me about it! We all need the green stuff to pay our bills at the end of the month, right? This is a difficult one because during the transition you may not make the money you need to and this can often put people off pursuing their dreams.
The answer is that if you trust the process, the gates will open for you but you need to exercise patience and faith. I know faith doesn’t pay the bills (unless you have a wealthy and generous Aunty Faith), but you can make a start at your dreams without giving up you day job for now. Baby steps will eventually lead to you changing tracks permanently and having a solid foundation to do so in the future.
Throw Away Limiting Beliefs
What I do know is that if you believe 100% in yourself and where you are heading, the money will come. Perhaps not from the place you imagine and that is why it is also important to relinquish the ‘how’ and ‘when’ of manifestation. Make a start on living your purpose today. All it takes is awareness and the first step.
Comments
Cherie Roe Dirksen
Cherie is a self-empowerment author, multi-media artist and musician living in the Klein Karoo, South Africa. She has weekly blogs at her site www.cherieroedirksen.comwhere she discusses practical and insightful perspectives on taking responsibility for your life and following your bliss.You can follow her on Facebook, on Pinterest, on LinkedIn and on YouTube.
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Mel
at 5:07 am
Very inspiring, I think the most important concept revealed in this article is to take baby steps. That way your not looking at the big picture of change which eliminates the worry of still being able to be financially stable.
Deborah Whitehouse
at 1:23 pm
Cherie, I love your story and this post! I am going to share it on my fan page. Very uplifting to me this morning, as I am once again in transition myself. I am looking forward to being successful SOON in my own business.
Like yourself, my life seems to have been nothing but transitions, with long and short stops in between. I now hear the sounds of change when it comes and later in my life I learned to open my arms to it. You are so correct that it’s De-energizing when you resist it.
I am a coach now, but have been helping people my whole life. For the first time I can ‘claim’ it as my purpose, officially! It feels wonderful.
Good luck in your writing and thank you for the inspiration!
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 7:49 am
You are most definitely not alone in your quest, Lisa. The important thing to remember is to follow your intuition. We often get misled by our what our ‘head’ tells us and forget that our compass is in our heart.
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 7:47 am
So glad this resonated with you, Sarah. I’m honored that you like my writing. Thank you.
Lisa
at 1:41 pm
I have been searching all my life to find where I fit. It helps to know that others do the same thing. I have lived through so much without finding what I need. The worst part is feeling so lost while you search, whether you are searching consciously or not. I have enjoyed your article. Would enjoy reading more from you on this subject.
Sarah Gecan
at 1:21 pm
This article was the little nudge I needed. I think fear has been holding me back, but I’m ready to take over again. Thank you for the encouraging words. I’m glad you followed your heart and became a writer, your words often make a difference in my life.
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 8:17 am
Glad it helped, Maryann! 😉
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 8:16 am
It’s my pleasure, Catherine — I’m so glad that the article resonated with you. You certainly sound like you are in the flow. The path of least resistance usually brings you what you need. Keep at it!
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 8:14 am
I’m so glad the article helped you get back on track, Janelle. 🙂 Your breakthrough is hurtling it’s way to you…
Maryann Murphy
at 5:14 am
The recommendations you discussed here are really useful. It absolutely was such a fun surprise to have that awaiting me after i woke up to find this event. Thank you very much for the tip!
Catherine
at 10:08 pm
I love this post….
I have always been trying to figure out what is my purpose in life or at least at that moment. However I never managed to focus on one objective as my interests and priorities are constantly changing. I often felt frustrated and thought that my lack of focus would never bring me anywhere.
Recently I haven’t felt such an urge in achieving things. I’m just taking things as they come and, as a strange consequence, it seems that my life has never been so meaningful. I particularly enjoy this part of the article, it perfectly describes what I am trying to explain:
“Never label yourself as one thing or another — you will restrict the flow of your life. The answer could be that you are a quantum, multi-dimensional, layered being. This means that you could be causing change in many numerous ways, even on a subconscious level. ”
Thanks a lot Cherie for these inspiring thoughts 🙂
Cherie Roe Dirksen
at 2:09 pm
Thank you for sharing that with us, Letty. Being a nurse is one of the most compassionate and giving vocations and I am very thankful to God for people like you who have provided society with such an awesome service.
Janelle
at 12:50 pm
I’m SO happy I read this article this morning. It is SO what I needed. I’ve fallen out of my short meditation routine and started back last night. I changed up speaking the “I AM” in my life and asked Spirit what was my purpose and whatever it was may it be guided by him. My breakthrough is coming; you helped reinforced it. Blessings and love to you! 🙂
Letty Sison
at 5:05 pm
I find this article so enlightening because I retired reminiscing what I have done. Did I do my purpose in life? Now I can validate that yes, indeed! As a Nurse I have found I could help my patients, my family, friends, but most of all myself! It is the most gratifying & fulfilling feelings to be able to help others not just physically, mentally & emotionally but spiritually. I experienced pure JOY I AM so thankful to GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT for those gifts! Retired Mental Health RN