On Living a Purpose-driven Life

As someone who has always avoided sports, being the 'black sheep' in a family of fitness enthusiasts is a running joke. My dad, a marathoner at 74, often says that inspiring me to work out would be his biggest achievement. " Challenge accepted, Pops! ??"

I digress, this isnt about me , this is about Pops.

This morning, I woke up to a family group message from my dad, sharing that he completed a 35 km run in 5 hours, 5 minutes. I gasped in awe - At 74, just six months post-surgery, he's outdone himself this time!

I've been observing him and it's an honor to have a front seat view of the joy and pride he experiences every time he unlocks a new level in running.

A few days back, He recommended I watch Vijay 69 on Netflix, a story he deeply resonated with. As I watched the movie, my eyes welled up as I suddenly saw my fathers world from a lens that I'd not seen before. What I once joked about as an obsession, I now understand is central to his very being. I realized his passion for running isn’t just a hobby—it’s his purpose, a source of joy, pride, and connection. The very pillars of a fulfilling and wholesome life.

I see it firsthand every day with my father that having a purpose driven life can reverse your age, heal your mind & body and most importantly nourish your soul. It's not esoteric because I'm witnessing the magic of such a life through his journey.

He wakes up every morning with a goal to be better and better he gets - Every. Single. Day

His north star leaves him with no time for gossip, remorse or negativity. He channels all his energy on his goal to get fitter and he has cracked the code . He knows that negative thinking and energy brings him down, so he avoids it and works hard on being a better person mentally too.

He tells me," Esha, it's not just physical , running marathons is about the mind. And your mind needs to be healthy and visualize the best."

His passion for running has also given him a community of friends of all age groups- the youngest ones being in their 20s to the oldest ones being in his age group.

He loves it and this is the happiest I've ever seen him all my life.

He's independent, he's fit and most importantly he's in the flow of life at 74.

While I'm still not a convert , I surely learn the art of living a purpose driven life from my father. He inspires me to love what I do and do what I love wholeheartedly without worrying too much about how things have always been done. We can always change how things have always been done by focusing on what makes our heart happy. ??

So here’s to Pops, whose journey reminds me that finding purpose—no matter how unconventional or seemingly small—can transform life. December, his birthday month, is my cue to discover my own purpose and pursue it wholeheartedly. What’s yours?