Ever get caught up in the dilemma of what your soul’s purpose is?
Have you been stuck in the angst of wondering what life is all about? How you are meant to be? And what you are meant to do?
Recently I read a book called Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Viktor Frankl was an Austrian psychologist who devoted his life to studying, understanding and promoting “meaning” in life. In his story, he shares how he survived the Holocaust by finding personal meaning in the experience, which gave him the will to live through it. He later went on to establish a new therapy call logotherapy. The entire book is interesting and thought-provoking as he explores his own experiences as well as analysing the way others around him respond to similar circumstances. There are so many takeaways from this story, but one particular quote really struck a chord within me –
“Live as if you were living already for the second time and as if you had acted the first time as wrongly as you are about to act now.”
I find this quote quite powerful. Does this mean anything to you? Sit with the quote for a few moments and just notice what comes up. Re read the words. Let them sink in.
LIVE as if this is the SECOND time around and make the changes you wish you had made the first time around!
This quote reminds me that life is meant to be LIVED.
Life is an adventure!
Life is a choice!
Sometimes a choice in what we do and sometimes a choice in how we respond.
To this end, I believe our life purpose is simply to be the best version of ourselves we can be. Making choices that encourage us to grow and learn. It doesn’t matter what we do. It matters more what we feel and how we respond to life. Our feelings are our guide to understanding more about ourselves and the changes we can choose to make.
In life it is so very important that we learn to
- Accept ourselves;
- Love ourselves;
- Forgive ourselves; and
- Honour ourselves.
This may not always be easy, but the journey of personal discovery is well worth the effort.
In essence, our purpose in life is
- to learn;
- to grow; and
- to evolve.
And in that learning and growing and evolving we naturally impact and influence those around us, quite often inspiring others to go on their own personal discovery of what life means to them. We become an example and we’re able to help and guide others with what we have learned.
Our purpose in life is to be authentically OURSELVES.
The best version that WE can BE.
To shine bright, aim high and enjoy the ride.
So I will leave you with this thought…
Be entirely, uniquely and authentically YOU.
Oh, and remember, Happiness starts with a Smile and Empowerment starts with a Choice!
