Such a big part of joy and living a life you have always dreamed of has to do with finding a purpose. If you already know what that is, great! If you don't, it's time to do a little digging. Don't make it too big or overthink it. This can be anything. You can be the best darn dog mom there ever was and if that fills you with a sense of purpose, that is enough. There was a woman who came to feed the feral cats in the parking lot of the condo where I used to live. She came everyday and they loved her. She even trapped newbies in order to get them fixed and then returned them to the wild of my parking lot. I'm guessing that woman felt that was her purpose. And that's great.
It can be work. It can be volunteering. It can being a present mother. It can be being the best, coolest aunt ever. (That's my title though!) It can be making crafts. Or mastering a certain game. It can be doing research. It can be the place where all the kids in the neighborhood can come to hang out in a safe space. It can be anything that sets YOUR heart on fire.
I'm seeing a lot people right now making masks and nurse's caps at home. I'm quite sure a lot of these people have never tried such a thing before. I'm also pretty sure it's making them feel useful, helpful and gives them a sense of purpose in this uncertain time. This is when you can try things you've never tried before. This is when you can really dig down and figure out what it is you want to do more often. What do you want to be known for?
Is there a certain skill you are very good at? Do your friends all come to you for a certain task? Are you great at organization? Do you do the best french braid anyone has ever seen? Do you make the most amazing banana bread anyone has ever tasted? All of these things count if they fill you with joy and excitement. My husband loves to cook. I feel like that could be his true purpose. He loves when people get excited over his food. He thrives on it. It's something that is simple and easy to do often. Oh, and he's good at it.
What are some of the things that interested you when you were a child? What is something that you love to do7 so much you don't think you'd ever get tired of it? If you could do whatever you wanted everyday for the rest of your life without money ever being an issue, what would you do? These are some questions to ask yourself if you are still struggling to find a true purpose. But you don't have to be doing your true purpose at all times in order to feel purposeful. For example, the mask making I mentioned before. I'm sure people aren't become professional mask makers but it is giving them a purpose, right now. My father delivered food for meals on wheels well into his late 70's. He said he was often older than the people he delivered to. I'm sure he did that for so long because it gave him a reason to get out of bed every morning. It gave him a sense of purpose.
If you don't know what your true purpose is at the moment, what can you do right now that will still give you a sense of purpose? It can be anything that will make you happy but I have often found when you are trying to help and serve others...it brings a sense of peace and joy to your own life. It's true...try it. Offer anything you think can help people. And there are plenty of people in need at this time.
My purpose (I believe) is to help people transform their thinking from negative to positive. I believe there are a lot of pessimists out there, just like I was, and I want to show everyone that it is possible to change. You are not destined to be all doom and gloom for your whole life. You can turn it around. There were a number of things that led up to my transition but deciding to start this blog and podcast has filled me with a sense of purpose like I have never felt before. And I've had some pretty cool jobs in the past. I believe the difference is...I truly feel like I am helping people now. And I'm doing it on my own terms. That certainly doesn't hurt. I have something to offer people that I believe so passionately about. I really want to help people live better, happier lives. And feeling like I'm doing that makes me feel fulfilled. My cup runneth over! This is what I want for you.
So, go over some of the questions I just threw out there. As always, I'm happy to help you figure some stuff out if you need a little help. Message me through Facebook, Instagram or at hopefulist1@gmail.com. If you can't do what you truly want right now, what can you do in the meantime? What do you have to offer that will help others around you?
This wraps up day 4 of the #hopefulistchallenge and I hope you are well on your way to feeling better. Are you taking the tools I'm offering and using them? Because it won't work any other way. You have to put in a little work. Before you know it, it will become a habit and it will be just like brushing your teeth. You'll do it automatically. Tomorrow, I'm going to talk about my specific path and how it can help you figure some things out. Happy "I wish it were cocktail Friday" Thursday. One more day to the weekend, right? Now, go make today...your best day yet!
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