I used to wonder what my purpose was. What that one thing was that I was meant to be doing in this life? Why was I here?
What I eventually discovered through a whole lot of life experience, journaling, and introspection is that nobody has just one purpose. The thought of doing just one thing with our lives seems silly when we say it out loud (or write it down so we can more clearly see our thoughts). We are not linear. We are not one thing; we are many.
We are multidimensional.
Our thumbprints remind us of just how unique we are considering no two thumbprints are exactly the same. In life no one will ever, nor could they ever, duplicate us. No one will ever bring to the table what we bring.
While we all have many roles to play, when attempting to figure out our purpose what we often really mean is what are our divine gifts? Why did we choose to embody in this lifetime?
You’re probably wondering what makes you stand out from the crowd, what makes you unique?
I could say the totality of who you are, which would be true, but a lot of times when we’re talking about our purpose we’re wondering what that thing is that we can identify with and align with that gives our life meaning and purpose, and allows us to contribute to the good of others.
We all have unique gifts, talents, and abilities that we are meant to express and share with the world, in other words, unique ways that we are here to show up and contribute.
It is also true that we have a variety of “purposes” often displayed in less pronounced ways. As a friend, a mentor, or even working at a job that contributes to society. My first job was at a fast food restaurant and how many people did I likely help feed who were hungry, too tired to cook, not able to prepare something because they weren’t home, etc.?
Sometimes we hold the door open for a stranger who we didn’t even realize was having a difficult day and it leaves a lasting impression (someone did this for me once when my day wasn’t going well and it had a lasting impact). Other times it’s our smile that is contagious, or something we said that lets others know that the world is an okay place to be.
We all have many roles to play…
How do we know what those roles are and recognize them?
Sometimes we fall into them, like taking a job as a stepping stone along our career path and playing that role for a while. They could also be things that we naturally do like counseling a friend, giving a genuine compliment, providing information, helping someone out, holding a positive vibration in the world, or making someone feel welcome.
Other times it requires us following, or in other words, pursuing our interests. To do this, we have to ask ourself, what are the desires of our heart? What are we being called to do? What is it that we have a genuine interest in doing? (This will be something that comes from inside of us, from a place of truth)
If we have a strong desire to do something in our lives we will know if it is genuine if it feels authentic, like our internal compass is pointing us towards it.
Everybody has these internal callings, but we must be brave enough to listen to them, and then to act upon them.
We have to tune out what society says is possible, or “normal” (I believe this whole normal concept is already fading because no one is “normal,” and what an incredibly mundane world that would be if it were true). We have to have the courage to listen to our own inner voice regardless of what the outside world says. That is being authentic. That is truth. That is how you find your purpose.
With that being said, it is also true that we have many purposes, many roles to play. We’ve been playing them all along, perhaps without even knowing we were doing so.
A friend, a service job, holding a good-hearted vibration, parenting a child, being a pet parent, providing comforting words, a listening ear, filling a need someone has…
Over the past few months I’ve had many moments where I was grateful for the healthcare providers looking out for me, the hospitality I received one cold and rainy night where I had a warm dinner cooked for me at a restaurant when I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, the people who make a hot (or cold) beverage that I get to indulge in and enjoy. The people who design and build our homes, service our cars so we can get around (designers, manufacturers, mechanics, those who sell tires—all separate and needed roles), the farmers who grow the huge variety of delicious food we eat and nourish our bodies with (the stores that sell that food, the people who work there), the people who design, create, and sell (again all separate jobs) the clothing we are wearing right now, the books we read, the movies that capture our imagination, and so on…
We all need each other and are needed ourselves. We are all constantly contributing to the wellbeing of others, and they are constantly contributing to our wellbeing.
A personal story: A former co-worker confided in me once that she’d always wanted to be a “camp host.” “A what?” I asked, not quite sure I’d ever heard those words paired together before. No, actually I know I hadn’t. As we stood chatting in the office where we worked at the time she explained there are campground sites that have “camp hosts” who greet and assist guests staying at the campground.
She went on to describe how much she enjoyed camping (that much I knew), and how she had always dreamed of doing that. I have to say I am not a camper myself. I did camp several times as a child, and can confidently say it’s not my particular cup of tea. However, I loved hearing about what she was drawn to do, and about her unique interests. I also love the contrast between us in that area. We all have different interests, and that is what makes this wonderful world we live in such a fabulous place.
She said she wasn’t ready to take the leap yet, and I could sense what seemed to be some fear, hesitation, and possibly doubt (not uncommon when we are considering going for our dreams). I encouraged her to pursue her unique interest, and at some point, I sincerely hope she does. I know she’ll be amazing at it. Aside from having the genuine interest to fill that role, she is friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable, giving her an ideally suited personality to step into that role. I can completely picture her lighting up from doing something she loves, and I know she’d play an integral role in the experiences of the campers she meets.
Throughout the course of our lives we will have played many roles, literally countless major and minor parts in the lives of others, impacting people we know well, met once or twice and may not remember, and others who we will never personally meet yet something we’ve done or created will have impacted them.
We play countless roles, all important, all necessary, all a part of the endless expansion of the creative consciousness of Source.