Summary

The article "Know Your Purpose" discusses the importance of understanding one's life philosophy and purpose beyond monetary gain, emphasizing reflection on childhood dreams, living in the present, and the significance of relationships.

Abstract

The article emphasizes that one's purpose in life cannot be fully realized through the pursuit of money alone. It suggests that true fulfillment comes from engaging in activities that one loves, even if they are not immediately profitable. The author encourages readers to redefine their work to maintain passion and to consider how interactions with others can reveal one's purpose. The article also advises readers to reflect on their dreams and aspirations from childhood, as these can provide insights into their core values and philosophy of life. Writing these reflections by hand is recommended for a more personal and profound connection with one's thoughts. The distinction between an aim, which is an ongoing endeavor, and a goal, which has a finite end, is highlighted to guide readers in understanding their life's direction. The author expresses gratitude to a community of individuals who have inspired and contributed to their understanding of purpose.

Opinions

Pursuing money as the primary goal in a job or career is insufficient for feeling secure or fulfilled.
Engaging in work that aligns with personal passions can lead to longer-lasting satisfaction than work done solely for financial gain.
Reflecting on dreams and visions from childhood can uncover one's true philosophy of life and purpose.
Writing reflections by hand is considered more impactful than typing them.
An aim is an enduring pursuit that is rewarding in itself, whereas a goal is a specific, finite objective.
Relationships and interactions with others play a crucial role in discovering and shaping one's purpose.
The author acknowledges the importance of a supportive community in personal growth and the development of one's philosophy of life.

Know Your Purpose

Your Philosophy of Life

Arc of Stars is a Metaphor for Connectivity | Photo by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash

The qualities of your purpose may be revealed in at least two ways.

One: Are you working for more money to feel: fill in the blank? (Examples are: secure, safe, happy, fulfilled, etc.) If you are working for more money as your primary goal in a job or career, then that “more money” will never be enough. Suppose you were to take making money out of the equation for feeling safe and secure. Instead, you just decided that you feel safe. Replace money with what you love to do. However, if it’s something that’s not immediately marketable, don’t quit your day job. You’ll be able to work longer hours at what you love doing than in any work that you’re just working for money alone. Maybe you like your job or an aspect of your job. If that’s the case, then redefine your job to renew the freshness of it. Working for “more money” displaces you from the present, so that you’re living for a future that has yet to unfold similar to “click bait”.

Two: How you look at others and yourself is key to know how purpose is unfolding in your life. We live surrounded by people, whether we are engineers, inventors, executives, people who make or design products or working in service to others. Whether you are happy having friends and love being alone or are in an intimate relationship with a partner, are engaged with your children, grandchildren, siblings, your parents or close friends, this may reveal your purpose. It is through the nuances of interactions that help hone in on our purpose.

If you need further definition as I did in my late 20s I followed this advice:

When you were between the ages of 7 and 14, what were your dreams and visions? Some of them might have been a job or a career; or they may have been a grand vision of something wonderful. Later in your adolescence, maybe you just wanted to get out of school or prepare for college or get a job in tech. But before that, there may have been something pure that excited you, that you may have since forgotten. Now let yourself recall.

This is where contemplation and reflection about those years come into play. Let yourself find a memory or an urge of something you wanted “back then”. Within that dream, vision, or aspiration, write your philosophy of life at that point in time.

Get out your notebook. No, I don’t mean your smartphone, iPad / tablet or laptop. Writing pen to paper is old school visceral and personal. Get out a pad and pen and write down three to five parts of your philosophy of life. Mine went like this:

· To be a student and teacher every day

· To live as if each moment were my last (I found that over time I didn’t abide by this one and let it go).

· To learn for the sake of learning (the adventure of discovery).

· To live from my heart (later this became to live in balance between heart, mind, body and spirit).

Later I realized I had an aim that assisted me in subsequent goals.

An aim is something you could do repeatedly and never complete it because it is it’s own reward. An aim belongs to the infinite and exists outside time.

My aim is: “To relieve suffering.”

A goal can have elements of an aim in it, but a goal cannot be an aim. A goal has a beginning, middle and end and belongs in a finite world because it can be completed.

A goal based on my aim (see above) might be: “I open my space to people in need this week to assist in relieving their suffering.”

Thanks for the inspiration for sharing/passing on what I know. You all have helped with that. I learn and am inspired by you and I acknowledge your part and importance in this community of ours. Thank-you. I feel humbled and grateful: