It is almost a cliche now that human beings have to find their purpose in life, their WHY, but so many people seem to be lost in life. They feel like there is no point to life. If a person wants to live a life of peace, contentment, joy, satisfaction, love, compassion, empathy and grace, the single most important thing to create such a life is to have a sense of purpose. Not having one can make it a life full of frustration, agitation, unmet expectations, resentment, bitterness, and fatigue. As you can see, finding your purpose is key to rebuilding a successful life after recovery.
Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside dreams. Who looks inside awakes. -Carl Jung
1. The Importance of Self-Reflection
Those who look outside for validation pretty soon realize that having their dream come true was just a momentary spike in happiness. Keeping up with the Joneses only distracts you from your true purpose. The one who looks within is acting from a place of their values, their character, their Self.
2. Aligning Purpose with Passions and Strengths
When we pursue our weaknesses, we may end up slightly strengthening our areas of weakness. Instead, if we pursue our strengths, it makes us exceptional in our area of strength. The magic happens when working on our strengths, and then aligning our strengths to our passions. Passion creates energy, and a motivation to do the things we really want to accomplish.
3. Listen to Your Inner Voice, Not Society’s Expectations
Parents are typically guilty of projecting their own ambitions onto their children, creating resentment in them for losing their own dreams. Instead of following parental or societal advice, we must learn to stand up for our own beliefs, and listen to our own inner voice.
4. Don’t Wait for Perfection
Perfection is a mirage. Many people end up having regrets because they have been chasing perfection. However, perfection is in fact an enemy of progress. If we want to make progress in life, we must let go of perfection, and recognize that it is more important to take a step forward.
5. Taking Action: Purpose Through Doing
In the words of Zig Zagler, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Once we start, just doing something over and over again gives us the necessary practice to get better and better.
6. Learning from Setbacks and Challenges
Many people feel that setbacks define failure, and that challenges are obstacles to success. Being afraid of failure pulls us down. Instead, learn to embrace your setbacks and challenges. It forces us to act in a different way, and to engage with life differently.
7. Tapping Into Intuition and Emotional Guidance
Our intuition, also known as our sixth sense, has been a part of our evolution, and it has helped the human species survive. Many people these days are completely disconnected from their intuition. In order to reconnect with it, we must become healthy first. A healthy body and a healthy mind are key to developing a strong intuition.
8. Purpose Can Be Found in Everyday Life
Purpose is not something out there. It must be practice in our everyday life. Act as if what you do makes a difference, because it does. When enough people do that, we may be able to make this world a better place.
9. Purpose is Often Found in Service to Others
Doing something for others is the best way to take the focus away from ourselves, our worries and anxieties. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.
10. Connecting Purpose with Legacy
Legacy is a powerful thing when it comes to the human species. When all is said and done, how do you want to be remembered? What you do moment to moment in your interactions with the world is the legacy you are building. What type of impact will you have on the world around you?
Rebuild your Life Confidently
It can seem overwhelming to take the first step to recovery. But with the right support and guidance, it is possible to gradually let go of a life of addiction and dependence, and confidently create a life of purpose.
At Buckeye Recovery Network, we have an amazing team of people who believe in your success. Contact us to ask about next steps.
