Live Outside of Yourself
If you find yourself searching for your mission in life, or your purpose - the "thing" that drives you to wake up every morning, here's some advice.
Live outside of yourself.
So many times, we get lost in ourselves - focusing TOO much on what we want, what we're capable or not capable of. How we feel, how we wish to be loved.
We search deep to discover our own areas of weakness so that we can improve them. We read books by experts to teach us things we don't believe we know, and spend years climbing ladders in our careers that are supposed to take us to "the top". We follow our passions, in search of our purpose.
But purpose isn't something you "find" - it's something you feel.
It starts out as an inkling in your heart that you're meant to do something meaningful. To be someone special, or to be recognized as successful.
This inkling then grows as you do - through experiences, and memories. Through sadness and mistakes, love shared and love lost. It grows each time you travel, meet new people, and gain new perspectives.
This inkling, over time, becomes a flame. One that’s constantly flickering, deciding whether it'll persist through the tough times or burn out. Sadly, many people lose this light, and their way in this world. It burns out, and so do they. They never feel their purpose, and die before they ever really lived.
But those who keep the flame alive have a secret. It's a secret that's been written about and shared since the beginning of time. Those with purpose, know the secret and live it.
The secret? Giving is the best way to receive.
To receive the purpose you're searching for, live for something other than yourself.
When is the last time you asked what the WORLD needed from you, instead of what you needed from the world? Replace "the world" with any of the following: your husband, wife, child, parents, neighbors, school, company.
Now write down your gifts - what you're naturally gifted in, as well as what you're most passionate about. And apply it to others. How can you combine your gifts and passion to help someone else?
Opportunities to give your gifts to others are everywhere, if you're looking for them. Just be sure to look through the lens of how you can help others, not how the opportunity can help YOU.
When you live for other people, you might be surprised. The "purpose" you're desperate to feel just might be the gift you'll receive.
