The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. – Mark Twain
Have you figured out why? Do you know your purpose?
Some seem to know it before they ever step foot out into the world, while others may never feel like they’ve figured it out.
That leaves us with yet another question. Is purpose found or is it built?
This is where it gets as interesting as it gets uncomfortable. Some argue that our purpose is up to us to decide, a responsibility that is equal parts incredibly powerful and endlessly terrifying.
When we assign our own purpose, we aren’t waiting for some universal permission to do what we know we are intended to do. We aren’t waiting for some lightning bolt or epiphany. We dive right into the deep-end of our destiny.
But for some of us, that idea is terrifying. Can we trust ourselves to pick the right purpose? How do we know it’s our real purpose? If we choose wrong, we only have ourselves to blame! Why can’t we just be handed the answer?
While these are two extreme views, I personally believe that the answer lives somewhere between them. Purpose doesn’t have to be a single hidden treasure waiting to be dug up. It also doesn’t have to be an empty page waiting for us to fill in the blanks.
I think our purpose is more like a conversation with ourselves. What am I drawn to? What am I capable of? What does the world in front of me, my friends, family, and community, need of me?
Our purpose doesn’t have to be carved into stone. It can be tested and adjusted. It can grow and change, just like we do.
While the idea of Twain’s quote resonates, I don’t believe the “Day You Find Out” is a literal single day. Our purpose doesn’t have to arrive in a single dramatic moment of realization. Less of a lighting strike and more of a beautiful sunrise, gradually rising to greet us. Slowly filling us with a warmth that only the understanding of what we are meant to do can bring.
If you’re unsure of your purpose, it’s time to start that conversation with yourself. Try asking these questions:
When was the last time I lost track of time doing something? What was it?
If money (and other people’s opinions..) didn’t matter, what would I spend my days doing?
What’s a problem with the world that I can’t just shrug off?
What help have I given another person that felt incredibly meaningful to me?
Somewhere in these answers is where your purpose is waiting. Don’t stop asking these questions. The answers you keep coming back to are going to be your greatest clues.
The day you’re born is something that happens to you.
The day you find out why is one you help create.
Warm regards,
Jimerson Adkins