MENTAL HEALTH: Define your purpose

400health Find your purpose

Darius Bashar, Unsplash A job title does not necessarily define you

By Sudie Crouch | Health & wellness columnist

One of the biggest questions we grapple with is trying to figure out why we are here and what we are supposed to do: What is our purpose?

We sometimes rephrase it as: What are we supposed to be doing during our time here?

The question presents quite a quandary and unfortunately, can make us feel like we are living a life that is not quite what it should be.

Some people may feel like they are not living up to their potential or doing what they are called to do — it doesn’t mean that they know what they are supposed to be doing, it just means they know there is supposed to be more than what they are currently doing.

And then, there are others who seem to fall into their perfect careers easily and work in what they enjoy for most of their life.

Is our job title really our purpose? Not always.

There are a few whose job title or description is what they are called to do — like some doctors, attorneys, to name a few.

But for many, our job title is not our purpose.

There’s people working in positions that have nothing to do with their purpose.

I caution clients to not get hung up on how they think or believe their purpose is supposed to look.

We often want a confirmation that we are supposed to do X, Y, or Z, only to find the path getting there may be a bit more different than our expectations. And sometimes, our purpose is just not our job.

Let me repeat that: Sometimes, our purpose is just not our job.

We have been led to believe for years that the whole reason we are here is to fit some job title but that is not the case.

I am not saying to go out and quit your job — that could be more devastating than beneficial. We need our jobs to pay bills, provide basic daily comfort, etc., even if they are not necessarily feeding our souls.

HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR PURPOSE?

It can be hard to know what our purpose should be.

Here’s a few tips to help you identify what your purpose may be.

• What do you enjoy doing, that you would do for free if time allowed? • What have you always felt drawn towards? • What do you do naturally? • What are you passionate about? • What would you, even if you weren’t paid to do it?

A person who is passionate about animals may not necessarily be a veterinarian but may volunteer for an animal rescue. Their purpose may be to love and help animals feel safe and secure until they find their forever home.

Someone who wants to feel more connected to their mind and body may have a corporate job but also lead yoga classes in the evening or on the weekends.

Teachers may be living their purpose as they help inspire and educate; likewise, someone who isn’t an educator may teach in other ways.

Being a parent is also one life purpose that serves an incredible role because you are helping someone else on their own path, nurturing and encouraging them and teaching them how to find their own path.

There are countless ways we can live our purpose. We just need to remember our purpose is not always a job title but often, something that makes us feel joy in our spirit.

Fuu J, Unsplash

Some other tips to finding your purpose – and passion:

There’s so many ways to pursue training in the areas that interest you, especially if you’re wanting to pursue them as an avenue to make money. However — don’t feel like you have to make money at something in order to enjoy it or for it to be meaningful and worthwhile! You absolutely can do something out of the sake of just pure joy.

If you are looking for classes, you may want to try:

Udemy, Coursera or Sophia

And check out any continuing education offerings at your local universities. They often have other programs available.