I was recently interviewed by Leslie from the Mendocino Travelers Guide for an article about my art work. I was impressed with the thorough research Leslie went through, and over the course of our talk, she reminded me about a blog I had written. The last post I made was a day after I turned 60 (five years ago)!
Five years later, I read the last post and, wow, I am practicing what I preach when it comes to Life Purpose. AND so much has happened over the last five years that I want to share. It is my intent to keep you posted on my discoveries: past and present. Meanwhile, here’s the article I wrote entitled, “What’s Your Life Purpose?”
WHAT’S YOUR LIFE PURPOSE (originally posted 6/12/2014)
Lately I have been journaling up a storm. It helps me to focus and make sure I am Living Life On Purpose. In my journals, I take inventory of what I have accomplished; what worked and what didn’t work; what’s the next step; and where I want to go.
Funny, for the longest time, I thought I didn’t know what I wanted to do in my life. Geeeez, I can’t tell you how many times that subject came up for me in grad school: What is your life purpose? What are you here to do this time? What is your deepest desire (which may not align with your life’s purpose)? Where in the world will you be focusing your attention? It got to the point that I felt guilty wanting to take time for me to do what I wanted to do.
In college we were told to find out your life purpose, you first need to really know yourself. I wrote paper after paper in assignments aimed at observing myself, analyzing myself to a pulp, and dissecting every cell of my essence to come up with the answer to the question, “What is your life’s purpose?” But after three years of digging and divulging my most personal thoughts and feelings to my professors (I really wanted the “A”), I was exhausted and losing myself.
It’s been 2-1/2 years since I graduated marking my accomplishments with my Capstone presentation to my professors and peers, worked abroad for over four months for a cause close to my heart, and re-rooted myself in meaningful work and projects at home. I think I finally have an answer to the question: What’s Your Life Purpose? And I wonder if it resonates with you?
A person’s life purpose is anything they want it to be without seeking approval from others or themselves. Your choice should make you happy, fulfilled, and satisfied, and if it doesn’t, then you get to try again. You could have one life purpose — you could have many!
Barbara Bonardi