In this episode, we unpack purpose and why we can’t live without it.
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away”. – Pablo Picasso
Have you ever asked yourself:
What gives my life meaning?
Why am I here?
What should I do with my life?
I have!
Purpose can look different for each of us. It doesn’t have to be extravagant; however, it needs something meaningful and worthwhile that aligns with values and the things we are passionate about.
It’s known that having a sense of purpose in life is important for our mental well-being and can help us live a more fulfilled and content life.
Together we will look at what is so great about having a sense of purpose, why we can’t live without purpose and how our sense of purpose goes beyond ourselves.
#1 What is so great about having a sense of purpose
Research has shown us that having a sense of purpose is linked to:
– A greater sense of happiness
– Healthy habits, regular exercise, eating healthy foods, watching less TV
– Stronger personal relationships
– Wealth
– Better Health, including sleep quality
– Longevity
– Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
– Better mental health
However, on the other hand, what is not so great is when we don’t have a sense of purpose.
#2 Why we can’t live without purpose
A lack of purpose in our lives can leave us feeling
– Bored
– Dissatisfied
– Empty
– Feeling hopeless
A lack of purpose can also contribute to depression and anxiety, especially when we cannot see a way beyond these unpleasant feelings.
Experiencing a lack of purpose in life can also isolate us from our friends and loved ones, leaving us feeling lonely.
A lack of purpose has a ripple effect and impacts others.
#3 Our sense of purpose goes beyond ourselves
– Living in the fruit of someone else’s sense of purpose, perhaps our doctors, teachers, police officers, inventors and the like
I am reminded of a time in my study journey when I was trying to figure out what my purpose of helping people actually looked like. Sometimes I would sit at my desk to study, and everything in me wanted to throw in the towel. A thought came to mind “Who is on the other side of your choices and sacrifice” it was then that I could take my eyes off myself and take one step in front of the other. When I witness a client reach their goals and gain new insights, it reminds me that there is a bigger picture that we are all part of, and our purpose goes beyond ourselves.
One of my favourite Les Brown quotes is: The wealthiest place on the planet is the graveyard because, in the graveyard, we will find inventions that we were never ever exposed to, ideas, dreams that never became a reality, hopes and aspirations that were never acted upon.
Perhaps, the purpose of this quote is not to create a sense of doom and gloom but to encourage us to live life on purpose!
On a finishing note, now that we’ve looked at: what is so great about having a sense of purpose, why we can’t live without purpose and how our sense of purpose goes beyond ourselves.
Would you answer the following questions differently:
What gives my life meaning?
Why am I here?
What should I do with life?
I will leave with those thoughts and until next time, take care.
Recommended Resource: Dream Again
Sources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/changepower/202108/10-powerful-benefits-living-purpose
