What if your purpose has been quietly waiting for you this whole time?
I’ve really been enjoying The Mel Robbins podcast. This past week was really special because she interviewed Jay Shetty, best selling author of “Think Like a Monk” and the podcast, “On Purpose”.
During their discussion, Jay talked about purpose. And clarity of purpose.
It really hit a chord for me.
Because I deeply believe in life purpose. And I believe each of us has one. Most of us just don’t know what it is. Or we haven’t considered it yet.
Jay defined life purpose as using your gifts and talents in service to others.
Simple. It doesn’t need to be grandiose or make millions of dollars. It is simply using your talents in a way that is enjoyable to you, while also helping other people.
I can’t think of a better way to live life.
I can’t think of a better way to bring happiness into our lives.
I’ve known my purpose for over 20 years now. It was so clear to me back in 2004.
Granted, I had no idea how I was going to do this…..but I knew it all started with mindset. I believe when we change how we think, we change what we see in ourselves – and that’s when our gifts and life purpose are revealed. My purpose is to guide people to that shift – so they can step into their full potential and create lasting change in their life and the lives of others.
It took me until 2012 before I started writing Emerge Positive facebook posts. (My fear was so great. I remember sweating and my heart rate in high gear the first time I hit ‘post’). But I did it anyway.
And that moment changed everything.
It was 2014 when I published my first book of Emerge Positive affirmations. And it wasn’t until 2018 when I started Emerge Positive speaking engagements. And that was amazing! Each and every time I did one, I would walk away energized, happy, and whole.
Like I was meant to do this.
But again, something distracted me and pulled me in another direction and I didn’t make my purpose my main focus. Life casting a vote? Or fear taking control?
What idea is in your head that refuses to go away? You know what I’m talking about….that nagging feeling that you can’t stop thinking about? That pull in your gut telling you to try? That this is what you’ve been looking for?
What are you doing about it?
If you’re anything like me, you’re pushing it down or ignoring it.
Doubt is a powerful thing. It’s a giant wall in our minds that holds us back and can stop us from living joyfully in our purpose.
There’s a great book called, “The Last Lecturer” by Randy Pausch that has a quote I love:
‘The brick walls are there for a reason.
The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.’
This is where I am now.
I have brick walls all around me. Everywhere I look the path is either completely blocked or at least difficult to traverse.
Have you ever been here? When nothing seems to be going right? When you feel like just giving up?
How did you break through?
As my first step, I took a time out. I needed space to think and to feel. And to really listen.
I believe that when we go within ourselves, there is a quiet voice that will guide us in the right direction of where to go and what to do.
Sometimes that direction takes a day or three, but if we listen intently, we will hear it.
The challenge is, our world is very loud which makes it difficult to hear and understand that quiet voice. And….
So. Many. Distractions.
So today I’m slowing down and listening.
Have you ever been clear on your life purpose? Are you using your gifts and talents in service to others? Are you spending your time and energy on something that is greater than yourself?
It truly is an amazing feeling. It’s like being in the zone that athletes talk about.
It’s magical and invigorating. And once you experience it, you just want to go back there again and again because it feels so darn good.
Have you been there?
I hope you have. I really truly do. Because it is how we all should be experiencing life. Joyfully.
If you’ve never considered this before, or if you are still searching, Jay suggested to do this:
Call or email a handful of people who know you well. A family member, someone you’ve worked with and a good friend. Ask them to tell you what they believe you do well. Ask them what they think your gifts are.
Because our gifts are often blind to us.
They are the things that come to us easily. And oftentimes we don’t see them as special at all! Certainly not as gifts.
So if you don’t know…ask.
And then take that information and ruminate on it for a bit. How can you use this talent(s) in a way that serves others? In a way that makes you happy? And in a way that you can make a living for yourself?
This is what it means to live life fully. To Live with Purpose. On Purpose.
I have about 15 more years that I want to work. To make an impact by working on my life purpose. And I don’t want to spend them any other way.
Look at that! I just climbed over the wall.
You can too….come join me.
Start today:
✨ Call someone you trust.
✨ Ask them what they believe your gifts are.
✨ And really listen.
You can Emerge Positive. I’m cheering you on.
Positively,
deanne
