The good ole life purpose question. What do you want out of life?
It’s a good question, and very valid I’d say. It’s definitely a question that people have been waking up to and asking themselves for centuries. The answer may seem elusive at first, but with some thoughtful questions and introspection, you can find the direction for your life. In this blog post, we’ll cover five questions to ask yourself in order to start finding your life purpose:
1. Why do we need a sense of purpose?
2. What is holding you back from finding it?
3. What do you love doing that makes the time fly by?
4. What would you be proud of doing?
5. What is the current story you are telling?
Why do we need a sense of purpose?
“Only around 25% of American adults cite having a clear sense of purpose about what makes their lives meaningful, according to one analysis of the subject in The New York Times, while 40% either claim neutrality on the subject or say they don’t,” says Amy Morin in an article for VeryWellMind.
In the recent study, captured in VeryWellMind, the researchers found that people who had a “strong sense of purpose” lived about three years longer than those who did not. (Khullar, 2018).
It is important we find out what gives our lives meaning and work toward our best self and achieve our goals and dreams. If this does mean living past our normal lifespan due to increased well-being; isn’t that more valuable than achieving nothing else but retiring at 65 with money left on the table?
The answer would be yes: a clear sense of purpose can affect many aspects of one’s health and well-being.
What is holding you back currently?
Ask yourself: Am I currently suffering? Suffering from addiction, the loss of a friend, depression, etc. Our suffering has to be addressed before we can activate our life purpose.
According to Buddhism, there are three root sufferings:
- The suffering of suffering: the pain of birth, old age, sickness, and death.
- The suffering of change: the pain of knowing everything is impermanent and does not last.
- All-pervasive suffering: the underlying sense of insecurity, anxiety, and discontentment.
Think of the bigger picture: A human’s purpose on earth is to love and be of service to others. That is in all religious texts and ancient writings. The best way one can do that is if they begin to heal themselves. They can then share with others the adversity they face, the pain they have overcome and the strength and insight they’ve now gained.
What sources will your healing come from?
Western medicine, or other modalities such as meditation; therapy, or coaching sessions with others are all great forms of healing. Meditation is an effective tool for self-healing because it allows the person time to be still with their thoughts without distraction. Another good idea would be to try different types of service work–helping others in volunteer work–which could help open up a new perspective on how you see yourself and the strength they continue to gain, and more. It tends to be the things you struggle with most lead you to find what you want to share and can offer the world.
What makes the time fly by for you?
Life’s purpose means making a difference in the world. It’s about following your heart and doing what you are passionate about. Your life has meaning if it makes a positive contribution to the world around us. Either through selfless service or by adding beauty for those who will use it. What matters most to you? Is there something out of balance in any area of wellness that needs more attention than any other? These areas, defined by the National Wellness Insitute, are social, spiritual, mental, physical, occupational, and emotional health.
Consider these questions as we explore finding our lives’ purposes:
* Do I know my deepest desires and am I living them out now? * Am I actively engaged with others on an honest level so that they can also fulfill their purposes (with me)?
It’s easy to get caught up in the business of our lives and miss out on what is most meaningful to us personally. What gets you most excited to get out of bed in the morning? When we take a step back and go within, it becomes easier to find that balance again as we remember why life matters to us. What are some things you love doing? Taking time every week to explore those passions will make your search worth it and solidify a path as you discover new things.
What would you be proud of doing?
As humans, we need to feel that our life has meaning. But it can be really tricky sometimes to figure out what those things are and what meaning they hold. I think the best way is by asking myself questions like “What would you be proud of doing?” or “What do other people admire about you?”.
If your answers don’t seem in line with this idea of finding purpose, take a step back and ask how they might change if they did align better. It’s not always easy at first but consciously trying will help make all those hours of anxious dwelling worth it because you’ll be taking action!
What is the current narrative you tell yourself?
This idea of finding your life purpose is a lot like telling ourselves a story – and the best stories have twists, turns, suspenseful moments. See your story from a new perspective. Ask yourself what you would think if you saw someone else living out this same way in their story. What feelings come up?
Reviewing and changing the narrative is important. Instead of believing we are powerless to change anything, we can become empowered as we change our perspective to believing that our actions can make a difference.
Conclusion
Lots of questions to ask yourself when looking for meaning in your life. Just remember, it is the journey of finding it that makes it all worthwhile.
With a spiritual approach and the right tools to retrain your brain – You have the power to transform your life and habits significantly. Satori Way is here to help set the stage with what is right for you, join us as a free member, and check out our 5-day course here!
