Communications (8

Just a Thought...

You Did That on Purpose

Do you remember having childhood disagreements where a teacher would utter that most cutting statement, ‘You did that on purpose’? You would then leap to the defence of your actions citing 173 reasons why this absolutely was not the case and hoped you would not have to wait it out, sat for an age in the naughty corner!

I have often thought on those Halcyon days with a greater degree of wisdom than I had at the time (age will do that to you). I think that we were supposed to feel that doing something with intent and therefore ‘purpose’ was something negative. I understand that was probably because the intent in question was to put glue into Melanie Smith’s hair (32 years too late but, sorry!) However, as we have grown older (not ‘up’ – that’s optional and I have opted out!) I think we rather fear living ‘on purpose’. We have desires and dreams that smoulder in our soul but when we dare to consider adding intention to this heady mixture with the outcome of a purpose, we simply stop and put the lid back on that package of possibility.

Maybe we need to tap into our childhood vim and vigour when it comes to really going for something in our adult lives. So next time you find yourself musing over whether to change career, run a 5k or buy that Penny Farthing (I still want one) I want you to close your eyes, take a deep breath, visualise the splat of the glue in dear Melanie’s hair and GO FOR IT! Live your life full of intent and absolutely ‘On Purpose’. If you don’t, there will be a seat waiting for you in your favourite corner…

By Fliss Goldsmith of Belper