The Extraordinary Power of Purpose

When was the last time you thought about your purpose in this life? I know. It’s a profound question and you might not have an immediate answer. It isn’t a question that shows up very often so it’s no surprise that you might have to stop what you’re doing to consider the answer. It might not be a particularly easy question to solve. Perhaps it’s one of the most significant questions we can ask ourselves. And, in search of an answer, there are times when it deserves our fullest attention. To make things easier, we can frame the question in a very simple format. One of the great philosophical questions that has tasked humans ever since we first started to walk on two legs was and still remains –

‘Why are we here?’

The heart of human excellence often begins to beat when you discover a pursuit that absorbs you, frees you, challenges you or gives you a sense of meaning, joy or passion.

―Terry Orlick

So, that’s the question that we’re inviting you to consider today:

‘Why are you here?’

We know from the ancient records that this is a question that’s been discussed, debated, considered and examined for thousands of years. Even during the earliest civilisations, this apparently simple question formed the basis of meditation exercises and its resolution was considered as an essential step on the pathway to self-realisation.

The usual answers tend to reflect the day to day material needs that occupy so much of our attention. We think of family, work, comfort and the need to recover our energy and deal with the daily round of challenges. Some would say that, whilst each of these issues is undoubtedly important, they often serve more as distractions that divert our attention away from our deeper, more meaningful needs. And one of these often-neglected needs can be described as an understanding of why we are here.

This topic inevitably touches on our sense of purpose.

?The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.

―Fyodor Dostoyevsky

When you take a moment to think about it, it’s obvious that life is often complex, contradictory, challenging and sometimes even overwhelming. It might seem strange that, despite the stresses and demands of daily life, very few people seek refuge from their constant swirl of daily pressures in a quiet moment of reflection. And why would these intervals of calm be relevant to developing your sense of purpose? That’s a good question.

During these moments of peaceful mental retreat and deliberate calm, it’s more likely that you will begin to discern a sense of what you can really achieve. You can give yourself free rein, for example, to imagine a much brighter and fulfilling future for yourself. You might also discover a deeper sense of purpose.?This can arise in many ways.

Quiet contemplation encourages a stronger connection to the subconscious. It opens up pathways of analysis that the conscious mind simply does not possess. You can gain insights and revelations about yourself that might well surprise you. And this can include a deeper sense of identity as well as clues about your latent potential.

A sense of purpose can help you to feel that your life has a deeper, richer meaning. Purpose helps to explain why you’re here. You know where you’re going and, perhaps more importantly, you know why you’ve chosen your particular destination. The pathway will offer you experiences that are essential for your growth and personal development. That’s one of the great characteristics of choosing your own pathway: the person who completes the journey will not be the same person who embarked on the adventure.

If you can tune into your purpose and really align with it, setting goals so that your vision is an expression of that purpose, then life flows much more easily.

―Jack Canfield

In addition, those who’ve gained an understanding of their purpose often show a remarkable degree of resilience in the face of adversity. Purpose lends a broader perspective to life’s challenges. A knowledge of what you’re here for can sustain your enthusiasm and determination when the odds are stacked against you. A clear sense of purpose strengthens you and gives you the feeling that you’re unstoppable. Formidable qualities indeed to bring along to any quest for success.

At a deeper level, there may be a sense that the purpose itself contributes to our personal growth and evolution. We learn through the experience, often in unexpected ways. We learn to accept that certain behaviours and attitudes do not serve our aims and ambitions. A sense of purpose appeals to our need to become better versions of ourselves. We have to live up to our own expectations, raise our standards and strive to become worthy of our true purpose.

Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.

―John F. Kennedy

These ideas are not intended to be a philosophical description of why you should explore your real purpose in life. The advantages are absolutely real and they translate into practical, measurable steps on the road to success, happiness and personal fulfilment.

But, if we adopt a more philosophical approach, we can discern that our lives acquire a deeper sense of meaning when we live according to the nature of our true purpose. Our understanding and our perception are both enhanced by this singular shift in perception. When you consider how brief our time is on earth, it makes perfect sense to make the journey eminently worthwhile. Seeking an answer to the question of why you are here will help you to uncover your purpose. You may well feel that you want to make a difference, both to yourself as well as to the people around you. Purpose is a catalyst. It demands movement, change, growth and improvement. Take some time today to consider the question. Contemplate your place in the great sea of humanity and see if you can understand why you’re here. The answer may set you on a new and exciting course, a journey that leads you to fulfilment.

Musicians must make music, artists must paint, poets must write if they are ultimately to be at peace with themselves. What humans can be, they must be.

―Abraham Maslow

Are you ready right now for a completely fresh approach to life’s great adventure? Get in touch with us today for a free session to discover how the growing global movement for personal growth, success, change and empowerment can enhance your life!

Greg Parry created The Wellness Foundation and the Cognitive Empowerment Programs specifically to help people master their stress, overcome their limitations and explore the power of their true potential.

If you enjoy these blogs, you can imagine how much fun it is to have Greg in the room as an inspirational and highly perceptive speaker. If you’d like to invite Greg to talk to your company or organisation or event, feel free to get in touch.

You can contact Greg at:

[email protected]