The reason for which something is done or created or which something exists; it could be a person’s sense of resolve or determination. The object toward which one strives or for which something exists which is an aim or goal, or to have an intention is purpose.
Mission is an important assignment given to a person or group of people. A strongly felt aim, ambition or calling. An important goal or purpose that is accompanied by strong conviction. Being sent to complete a specific task or a group sent somewhere to promote lives in some ways.
Your purpose should inform your type of school, where to live, people to connect with and what to do with your vacations and weekends. We exist in this life for some undetermined period of time. We do some important and unimportant stuff during this time. The important ones give us happiness and meaning to life, while the other just kill time.
What important thing you can do with your time on earth is your purpose. Time is a precious tool that guides our lives to fulfillment of destinies and perhaps hope. In regard to this, our undetermined period of time here on earth should be well calculated and used wisely.
What are you passionate about or what don’t you suck at becomes the beginner of using your time wisely. Most of the times, we wish to be in the shoes of others so much that, we decide to trend their way of success, which may not be wrong. But have you searched yourself first? My success may not guarantee your success and vice a vice. It could take a person barely three months to reap abundantly but to another, several years.
A pastor once saw his neighbor beginning a tomato garden in his backyard and thought it right to also do same. After few weeks of both their plants sprouting, his begun withering. He watered them daily and even got fertilizers, yet they died. Then he asked God why, and the response was simple; “I never asked you to grow tomatoes”. Two lessons can be drawn from here; 1. He didn’t ask God before starting. 2. His intentions were to do exactly as his neighbors.
If you do find yourself in a position as this, take a break and be objective. In an excerpt of Steve Jobs founder of Apple, he stated that, he was lucky to have found what he loved to do early in life. By age 20, he started Apple in his parent’s garage. He added that, if one’s purpose hasn’t been found yet, he should keep looking and not settle, as with all matters of the heart one will know when he finds it.
People do say, the things you find easy to do and comes naturally with you is what you are purposed for. This is largely true. Look within; what did you like to do from the ages of 6 to 13 years? It could be painting, drawing, singing, writing etc. do add a professional touch to these and see the outcome.
At age 50, a man gained recognition for his writing skills for novels and short kits after long years of studying architecture. He made money from architecture but the passion for the job was less. During a visit at his mom’s, he went through his archives and found pieces of stories he wrote and read to his mom in his younger days. The stories ignited his interest in writing again and today, he is one of the bestselling authors in history.
To be envied for your giftedness is better than to be accepted for your untalented works. Go through yourself then, and find your passion from that tender age and pursue. What were you doing as fun from your ages of 5 to 8? What did you love doing so much that you forget to eat or shower? It may be negative or positive; checkout the positives and thrive on them.
The what ‘ifs’ are the real deal, embracing embarrassment or feeling foolish is part of the game. The major life decision which scares you are chances that you need to be doing more of it. To live a happy and a healthy life, we must hold on to values that are greater than our own pleasure or satisfaction.
We have heard of names making it big like the McDonald’s, Harlan David Sanders of KFC, Western Churchill etc. a lot of them determining their purpose very late in life. You may feel you’re too advanced in age, but take a clue from these men and things can change for the better. One I find very inspiring is that of J.K Rowling, the woman behind Harry Potter. What most people don’t know is what she’s been through prior to reaching stardom.
By 1993, at age 28, after a divorce, miscarriage and being a single mother, she was a common failure by all standards. She was jobless, penniless, divorced and with a dependent child. She suffered through bouts of depression, eventually, she signed up for government assisted welfare.
However, at that bottom point, she thought to herself, “I still have an old type writer and a big idea”. In 1995, Rowling finished her manuscript for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone but all 12 major publishers rejected the Harry Potter script. A year later a small publishing house accepted it, and extended a very small ₤1500 advance.
In 1997 when she was 32, the book was published with only 1000 copies, 500 of which were distributed to libraries. Over the following years, a truly fairy tale saga unfolded in front of all. Harry Potter, captured a permanent place in the heart and imagination of billions, making her a billionaire in the real world.
It is better to embrace the discomfort of being different, than the comfort of fitting in. Therefore, don’t stand out to be different, stand out to make a point. For if roses were not special, other plants wouldn’t have envied it. Always remember that, no matter how valuable your ideas are, fools will definitely play both of you down, so exclude yourself from the inflammatory environs of fools.
It’s not about trying to stirrup trouble but as long as you are honest and you articulate what you believe is true, you will stand out in the crowd. Don’t belittle yourself, it lies right in you. Search for it and determine your purpose which will bring out your mission in life, pray about it as you stand out to be different.
