purpose sign

What stops you from living full out, dropping self-interest, instead living your purpose and bringing your gifts into the world? You (well, probably not you of course, but likely someone close you know) have many justifiable and rational reasons and choices for not being all you can be. Such as:

 

Fear of being noticed
.
Fear of failure.

Fear of success (yes that too!).

Comparison with others (particularly parents and role models).

Lack of will-power and desire.

Not feeling worthy of it.

Feeling distracted and unfocused

Looking to other sources for fulfillment.

Not knowing where to start, what to do or how to do
.
Not having a powerful WHY about it.

Wanting to remain comfortable
.
Believing playing small feels safer
.
Don’t want to rock the boat.

Seeking others’ approval.

Not trusting you have the skills, talents and will.

Hiding is better than being exposed.

It’s too much work.

And on, and on.

From my perspective, and in simple terms: it sucks!

Yes, for me it sucked to not live full out and express my purpose. I hid it for way too long, and I could have spent my whole life that way, unaware I was living with my purpose hidden away, and my life on automatic pilot. Some occasional excitement or fun that would spike the throttle for a moment, then back to a slow automatic pilot once again. Can you relate?

I spent a lot of years following a haphazard path from career to career, basically saying yes to what was in front of me or what tempted me. Some of these careers were entertaining, all were interesting to some degree, and ultimately I wanted something else. I didn’t know that something else was my innate purpose, so I fell into another career. I did this for nine careers! There was some logic to the route I took, and some of the skills I learn stand me in good stead now.

However, my purpose was not yet being expressed, at least not directly and openly. I did the “usual things” to stuff it down, leaning on more than a few of the choices listed above. I suppose I could have taken to drugs and alcohol and other human level distractions, however, and thankfully, even in my naïveté, that path didn’t feel aligned, and I chose other things to pull my focus.

I might have lived that way, for the rest of my life. That is, if it hadn’t been for a quiet (and thankfully persistent) voice inside that kept whispering there was something more to life, something I wasn’t yet doing, having, or being, that I knew was out there somewhere (or more accurately, in me somewhere). Something that was more important, vital and impactful than what I had been doing.

Do you ever experience a sense of disquiet, or a feeling that something is off? Do you hear (or feel) an inner calling, or guidance or voice inside?

Frankly, I judged my circuitous path and wished I had listened and acted on this inner calling a long time ago, yet looking back now, I can see my own journey was as it was meant to be to get me here. And yes, there was some self-forgiveness necessary too.

There are over seven billion people on this planet. Similarly there are over seven billion purposes and gifts too.

So how about you?

Are you living your purpose fully in the world right now and enjoying the fulfillment and satisfaction of sharing your gift?

What does your purpose look like?

There are some broad categories that your purpose may align with. Your purpose may be directed to one person or small group (your lover, parent, child, family), or it may be a calling to make a powerful statement and impact on the planet (environment, humanity, government, health, financial, etc.).

Your purpose may be to change a condition that impacts many people. It may be to create or invent something new and unique. It may be a new word in the lexicon. It may be a new way of teaching that fully supports the children. It may be a new way of powering our world that is free, abundant and easily used. It may be a non-profit organization to help less fortunate folks. It will be what ever it needs to be.

Your purpose, your gift is necessary to the tapestry that is our human race. Never believe that your life has no meaning, it is simply not true. You are important, you are necessary, you are a vital contributor in the cohesive gathering of humanity that we are, and that inhabits this world.

All of us are here for a purpose, for a reason, and intentionally so. Thus, we all have a gift. It is why we are here. Share your gift and contribute to the whole of society.

If you choose to leave this planet without expressing your gift and purpose, we will all miss it. We will be lessened by its (and your) absence. This is a choice.

I encourage you to get clear, get busy and get purposeful in your living. The world is waiting for you. Perhaps this is stirring something deep inside?

I am passionate about this. I learned this choice for myself. I feel more aligned, more alive, and more consistently connected and present as I grow and express my own purpose work. I believe it is in your best interest and fulfillment too.

Here are just a few nudges from some well-known folks to ponder:

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”

William Shedd

“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?”

Benjamin Franklin

“Purpose is what gives life a meaning.”

Charles H. Perkhurst

“I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.”

Og Mandino

“Life without a purpose is a languid, drifting thing; every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves, ’This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught!’”

Thomas Kempis

“The high prize of life, the crowning fortune of man, is to be born with a bias to some pursuit which finds him in employment and happiness.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
Dalai Lama

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”
John F. Kennedy

“The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.”

William James

“You can come to understand your purpose in life by slowing down and feeling your heart’s desires.”

Marcia Wieder

“Be not simply good; be good for something.”

Henry David Thoreau

“The meaning of life is to give life meaning.”

Ken Hudgins

“Chase your passion, not your pension.”

Denis Waitley

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.”
Harold Whitman

“When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.”
W. Clement Stone

“There are two great days in a person’s life; the day we are born and the day we discover why.”

William Barclay

 

You have a gift buried deep inside that has been hidden from light of day for far too long. That still small voice has been whispering for a while now. Your purpose is right under your skin (it's in your DNA) ready to spring forth. You just need to yield a little and let it loose into the world.

Bring forth your gift, your calling and express it into the world. The world has been waiting for you for a long, long time.

I support you. In fact, if you are ready, and want some support in discovering and revealing your gifts and purpose, get in touch with me. I will email you a self-guided workbook as my service to your purpose. It will assist you in revealing what your gift is so you can actually express it. Also, let me know if I can add you to my growing audience email list (which will never be sold or given away).

If this post or my blog has assisted you in any way, I am grateful. I definitely appreciate you sharing this with your friends.

As always, your comments are welcomed. Thanks for reading.

 

Live, Laugh and Love with Passion,

Barry.