
While attending an event recently and I was given the affirmation card pictured here by Sunny Dawn Johnston, an inspirational speaker and spiritual teacher. Her words really resonated with me. I work with a lot of clients, I would say the majority of them, who tell me they have no idea what their purpose in life is. For some people, it is pretty apparent at a young age what their purpose is based on obvious signs of gifts and talents they were born with such as music, art, acting, the ability to solve problems, etc...Some of these talents showed up in their lives when they were young children.
But for the rest of us, our purpose doesn't always reveal itself to us until later in life. We have to go through the experiences that life brings our way. Those experiences will be the catalyst for us to finding our voice.
Sometimes the bad experiences in life prove to be what one has to go through in order to help others. If I had a drug addiction, I would much rather be counseled by someone who has had the actual experience of addiction as well as recovery, than to sit with a counselor with no direct experience whatsoever but all the book smarts and framed degrees hanging on the wall.
What about your good experiences? Perhaps your gifts begin to emerge as you were constantly receiving suggestions from other that you really should write that cookbook, or share your painting skills to teach others. Maybe you have heard the same compliments for years about what a wonderful professional organizer you would make for someone?
Your purpose may even change or evolve over the years. Louise Hay was almost in her 60's when she wrote and published her first book "You Can Heal Your Life" based on the metaphysical teachings she gained from working with AIDS patients, teaching them the transformative healing power of thought and speaking affirmations over their health. Louise went on to establish her own very successful publishing firm, Hay House Publishing, at the age of 58.
For me personally, while being in the wrong job, my purpose was revealed in a big way when I experienced an anxiety attack that landed me in the ER. I had spent most of my life in the wrong jobs, not paying attention to what would bring me fulfillment, but instead what would pay the bills. For years I felt completely lost and disconnected from myself, from who I felt I once was and I ignored the warning signs which extreme discontent can bring. It took years of personal growth and self-understanding to show to me my purpose was to help others experience the same transformation; to help them to awaken and discover their own purpose. My perfect job wasn't "out there," it was within me all along. I can now say I am grateful for the difficulties and frustrations. Those experiences have made me a better teacher and coach. I created my own business (this website was part of that vision) and now coach and teach others to do the same.
Pay attention to the experiences life is bringing you.
If your purpose hasn't revealed itself to you, be patient. Perhaps it is on its way.