Unraveling Purpose and Passion Through Intention

Note: This is not your traditional self-help article; think of it as a "help-myself" guide. As I write these lines, I am also talking to myself—engaging in a self-reflective dialogue to help me understand my existence within this intricate tapestry of life.

Searching for a Life's Purpose

A friend recently asked what I consider to be my life's purpose. My answer, devoid of ornate language but heavy with sincerity, was straightforward: "When I leave this world, I hope that there are people who say, 'She genuinely added value to my life; she made things better.'"

The Essence of Pure Intention

As we deepened our conversation, my friend offered a perspective that resonated profoundly with me: when our acts of goodness are tied to some expected transaction, the purity of our intentions becomes compromised. Is the deed then really about us, rather than the good we intend to do?

A Spiritual Conundrum: The Nucleus of All Faiths

This brings me to an important point—it's less about religion and more about spirituality, which is the nucleus of all faiths. It is more about intention, the mother of all actions we undertake. It is about how conscientiousness serves as the litmus test for peace at the core of our souls.

The Four Pillars We Control

With that understanding, let's realign our focus from what's beyond our control to four pillars we can manage:

1. Intention – The 'why' behind our actions.
2. Decision – Our conscious choice to do the right thing.
3. Endeavour – The effort and heart we invest.
4. Letting Go – Releasing our grip on the outcome.

At the end of the day, we must accept that we can't control the outcome of our actions. And when things don't go as planned, the disappointment can be overwhelming. Yet, there's a tipping point beyond which worrying becomes futile. It's that point where we can look ourselves in the mirror and say, "I gave it my all," which is really all we have within our control.

Life's Purpose Revisited

So, what have I deduced about my life's purpose through this self-reflective journey? It's to add value, in both grand and subtle ways, to people's lives. Whether they attend my funeral or even know who I was becomes increasingly inconsequential over time. The crucial element is that I continue to add value, because that, I believe, is simply the right thing to do.

In the end, the tapestry of our lives is woven from threads of intention, decisions, efforts, and acceptance. As we journey through life, may we continually enrich this tapestry by adding value, one intention at a time.