As humans, it’s natural – and healthy – to contemplate our purpose in life. Some people seem to have a laser-focused pinpoint on their purpose, never doubting it and always moving toward it. Others don’t give their purpose a second thought and go from day to day simply doing the stuff of life. Then there’s the majority of us who from time to time ponder what our true purpose is in this life.
Why am I here?
What impact am I making on the world around me?
Am I doing enough?
Am I doing the right things?
What legacy am I meant to leave behind when I’m gone?
You know, just minor little thoughts.
Sometimes these questions rise to the surface when we encounter a big life change, a traumatic event, a health scare, or an outside perspective that rocks our world view. Or perhaps they bubble up when we’re not happy, feeling unfulfilled, struggling to get unstuck. It can be especially difficult to identify our purpose at these times. It can become all consuming, even paralyzing, feeling unsure about what steps to take, which path to choose, or where to focus our time and energy.
I’ve certainly had my share of these moments. Sometimes they hang around for a while. It can feel like every idea, every option, every attempt to find my “one true purpose” leads me to a dead end or just someplace that doesn’t feel quite right.
Somewhere along the way, I had an epiphany. Not about my “one true purpose” but about the fact that I’ve been put on this earth for a whole bunch of purposes!
I call these many little reasons for existing my “micro-purposes.”
We are complex beings who go through many phases of life, have diverse experiences, and learn tons of new stuff along the way. So of course we don’t have to stuff it all into one single purpose!
I’ll share a few of my micro-purposes with you:
- I exist to treat the humans and animals around me with care and compassion so they can feel loved and supported.
- I exist to make daily intentional efforts to care for Mother Nature and encourage others to do the same.
- I exist to be a non-judgmental proponent for human health and wellness, living by example and sharing knowledge and helpful suggestions with those who seek it for themselves.
- I exist to advocate for social causes that I believe in deeply and to speak out against injustices.
- I exist to be an actively engaged member of my community by giving back through volunteerism and other supportive efforts.
- I exist to provide healthy meals and a welcoming, comfortable home for my family.
- And although I’d label this one more of a “macro-purpose,” I exist to raise my daughter to be her happiest, healthiest self and to contribute to the world around her in her own unique and wonderful ways.
It’s easy to get caught up by the societal pressures to “go big” with your purpose. But the truth is we don’t all have to be best-selling authors, TEDx speakers, social media influencers, the top 100 ___ leaders, or the most notable anything in order to make meaningful impacts in this life. Remind yourself of this when you’re struggling to find your purpose.
Make a list of your own micro-purposes. Celebrate the ways you put a positive stamp on the world around you. And when you find yourself wanting to do more – great! Start small. What brings you joy? What’s most meaningful to you? What can you accomplish with relative ease? And if you do end up on one of those top 100 ___ leaders lists, we’ll celebrate you and all the micro-purposes that brought you to that place.
You are never “less than” because you don’t identify one big purpose. You are never unworthy because your reason for being on this earth is actually a whole bunch of reasons. Nobody gets to decide what your most impactful purpose is but you. As long as you move through life striving to make positive contributions along the way, you’re doing exactly what you were meant to do. You’re being exactly who you were meant to be. You’re honoring exactly the micro-purposes you were meant to honor.
