What Is Life's Purpose and How to Find Yours
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pamela_Holtzman]Pamela Holtzman
One of the primary reasons my clients come for therapy is because they are struggling with, or suffering from existential angst, (the anxiety of the possible meaninglessness of their existence), wondering: What is my purpose?
Why am I here? What am I suppose to do now?
This inquiry is often prompted by a transition in life, related to anything from children moving on, (whether starting kindergarten or going off to college), to lifestyle changes, (influenced by economics, loss, change in job status, aging, or health issues.) Generally, there has been some shift in life that prompts a person to embark upon a deeper exploration of: What am I suppose to do NOW?
For decades, the American dream has been to pursue a vocation or career, raise a family, and be financially independent In today's climate, this comfortable, predictable blue print is fading, and many are feeling they don't know how to persist and exist at this point in time.
In many religious teachings there are guidelines as to what our purpose is.
In Buddhism, our purpose is to help sentient beings mitigate their suffering. The Dalai Lama says in "The Art of Happiness," the purpose in life is to be happy. Christianity teaches its adherents to love God and others. Islamic tradition promotes having peace, submission and obedience to God's will. Judaism guides tits followers to focus on life on earth and interactions between people, to serve God, and to prepare for the World to Come. A postmodernism belief is that we are here to create complex interconnected structures with the purpose of joy and self-understanding.
One definition of purpose is: "the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists."
Looking for purpose in life is not a question of: "WHAT should I do?" but HOW do I want to do it? It is the quality of how you approach life, and it underlies everything you do, how you are with others, how you treat yourself, and how you approach your activities. It is the theme for how you choose to live. TO BE.
To identify and discover your purpose, or how you want to live your life, take time for self-reflection. Ask yourself: "What is important to me?" "Who and how do I want to be as I approach all aspects of my life?"
� Allow time to connect with yourself through solitary, silent meditations or retreats.
� Reflect on your life, what you value, and what qualities that you appreciate in others and yourself. Be honest.
� Think about when you have felt most empowered and authentic, excited and energized. What qualities were present for you at that time(s)?
� Journal all the attributes you need, and ways in which you see yourself living a purposeful life.
� Picture your life path, career, lifestyle, relationships, whatever, while living consciously and purposefully in the way you want to be.
Virtues (e.g., being kind, loving, patient, etc.) are all attributes and ways in which one can choose to live their life. These are qualities of the "hero" or virtues, which, when practiced consciously, help us create a better world for ourselves and others.
Imagine any of these qualities being the ever-present theme(s) in how you live your life, attributes that inform how you relate to others, to your job, to yourself, to the world. When you have a specific quality (or many) from which you live, it becomes, the basis of any action you intentionally undertake. Your purpose becomes your guiding ideal, which gives meaning to all of your actions.
However you define it, if finding your purpose is your purpose, it enables everything in your life to become more meaningful. Finding purpose begins with the desire for acceptance and love, and evolves into discovering our own personal genius and gift, which will enable us to offer more to the world.
Start now - living whole and being who you want to be. Embody your full potential for living your life with purpose.
For more information and techniques on self-inquiry and reflection, please refer to my book Healthy Lifestyle Path of Wellness: http://www.pamelaholtzman.com/pamelas-book/
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pamela_Holtzman]Pamela Holtzman
One of the primary reasons my clients come for therapy is because they are struggling with, or suffering from existential angst, (the anxiety of the possible meaninglessness of their existence), wondering: What is my purpose?
Why am I here? What am I suppose to do now?
This inquiry is often prompted by a transition in life, related to anything from children moving on, (whether starting kindergarten or going off to college), to lifestyle changes, (influenced by economics, loss, change in job status, aging, or health issues.) Generally, there has been some shift in life that prompts a person to embark upon a deeper exploration of: What am I suppose to do NOW?
For decades, the American dream has been to pursue a vocation or career, raise a family, and be financially independent In today's climate, this comfortable, predictable blue print is fading, and many are feeling they don't know how to persist and exist at this point in time.
In many religious teachings there are guidelines as to what our purpose is.
In Buddhism, our purpose is to help sentient beings mitigate their suffering. The Dalai Lama says in "The Art of Happiness," the purpose in life is to be happy. Christianity teaches its adherents to love God and others. Islamic tradition promotes having peace, submission and obedience to God's will. Judaism guides tits followers to focus on life on earth and interactions between people, to serve God, and to prepare for the World to Come. A postmodernism belief is that we are here to create complex interconnected structures with the purpose of joy and self-understanding.
One definition of purpose is: "the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists."
Looking for purpose in life is not a question of: "WHAT should I do?" but HOW do I want to do it? It is the quality of how you approach life, and it underlies everything you do, how you are with others, how you treat yourself, and how you approach your activities. It is the theme for how you choose to live. TO BE.
To identify and discover your purpose, or how you want to live your life, take time for self-reflection. Ask yourself: "What is important to me?" "Who and how do I want to be as I approach all aspects of my life?"
� Allow time to connect with yourself through solitary, silent meditations or retreats.
� Reflect on your life, what you value, and what qualities that you appreciate in others and yourself. Be honest.
� Think about when you have felt most empowered and authentic, excited and energized. What qualities were present for you at that time(s)?
� Journal all the attributes you need, and ways in which you see yourself living a purposeful life.
� Picture your life path, career, lifestyle, relationships, whatever, while living consciously and purposefully in the way you want to be.
Virtues (e.g., being kind, loving, patient, etc.) are all attributes and ways in which one can choose to live their life. These are qualities of the "hero" or virtues, which, when practiced consciously, help us create a better world for ourselves and others.
Imagine any of these qualities being the ever-present theme(s) in how you live your life, attributes that inform how you relate to others, to your job, to yourself, to the world. When you have a specific quality (or many) from which you live, it becomes, the basis of any action you intentionally undertake. Your purpose becomes your guiding ideal, which gives meaning to all of your actions.
However you define it, if finding your purpose is your purpose, it enables everything in your life to become more meaningful. Finding purpose begins with the desire for acceptance and love, and evolves into discovering our own personal genius and gift, which will enable us to offer more to the world.
Start now - living whole and being who you want to be. Embody your full potential for living your life with purpose.
For more information and techniques on self-inquiry and reflection, please refer to my book Healthy Lifestyle Path of Wellness: http://www.pamelaholtzman.com/pamelas-book/
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