I am convinced that it is important to have a purpose. Why would a psychologist like me be writing about life’s purpose? In my practice, I have seen improved psychological well-being when people have a meaningful purpose. I have also seen lives filled with loneliness and despair when no specific purpose has been embraced. And without purpose, what’s the point? Life can’t just be all about growing-up, getting a job, taking a few vacations, retiring, taking a few more vacations and dying. Can it? Is that why we are here on Earth? I believe that we are each here on this Earth for a reason, which is up to us to name. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “purpose” is defined as: 1) The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal 2) A result or effect that is intended or desired; an intention 3) Determination; resolution, and 4) The matter at hand; the point at issue. So our purpose in life is the intended result of our life. It becomes a powerful force we are determined and resolved to fulfilling. In fact, it is the entire point of our existence. Sounds pretty important, don’t you think?
Many spiritual disciplines take the guess work out of our purpose in life. They offer frameworks and instructions by which people are invited to define their purpose. Followers take comfort in the teachings and traditions of spiritual leaders and their insights into a higher power’s purpose for us. Some believe that life is about striving to stay pure in mind and deed. Others emphasize that life should be enjoyed and experienced. Others say that life is suffering, and our purpose is to detach from our egos and melt into the cosmos. Still others say that life should be about service to others. Regardless of the particular spiritual tradition or philosophical base, there is profound psychological value in clearly defining a customized purpose.
Why is purpose so important? A purpose sets the entire context for our lives. Without a clearly defined purpose, we are just a haphazard combination of goals and non-goals, actions and non-actions, meandering through space and time. A purpose is a master plan for our life. Knowing our purpose helps us define our goals. It helps us avoid getting lost in the minutia of life by keeping our eyes on the target. It can make life much more enjoyable and effortless. I believe that purpose is not something that others choose for us, but is something we must choose for ourselves. It emerges from an exploration of what we value most. When we are deciding our purpose in life, it is important to not worry about how we will go about achieving it. When we identify and commit to our intentions, the opportunities and methods for achieving our purpose will begin to show up. In fact, they are often already in our lives, but we may not have noticed them because we were not paying attention. Defining our purpose helps us focus our actions and choices.
My purpose is to help bring hope and healing to the world. All of my goals emerge from this basic purpose. What’s your purpose? If you don’t already know it, take time right now to define it. Start by examining what you value most. Is it balance, faith, family, compassion, excellence, generosity, peace, connection to others, or something else? Then consider what you would hope others would say about you when they describe you, or what you would want to read in your own obituary. What legacies do you want to leave on this earth? You will be known for something. What do you want it to be? Take a moment or two to write down your own special purpose. The simple act of writing things down, like goals and purpose, greatly increases their power in our lives. You can hone it as you go, but start each day and end each day by reciting it. Write it on a business card and carry it in your wallet or purse. In moments of fear, frustration, and sorry, pull it out and read it. Doing so will help you keep things in perspective and remind you to stay focused on what is most important to you. And living a purposeful life will translate to better psychological well-being for you, your family, and your world.
