Why is there so much focus on living life with purpose? What does a purpose filled life give you that makes it so important? I’ve been around many purpose filled people lately and love recognizing what makes them different. Let me share what I’ve noticed.
In the last week, I attended a workshop by Buddhists monks from Tashi Kyil Monastery in India and they came to my house to conduct a very powerful house blessing. I also attended several concerts and watched musicians and singers at outstanding passion filled performances- from a star with the Box Tops, to the world-class Congo player, Paditro Martinez, to local favorites, including my husband.
Now back at work, I see the same thing. With the diversion, social justice work I do, I’m surrounded by Judges, prosecutors, attorneys, clinicians, peer support specialists, even bailiffs who are completely engrossed and passionately invested in their services.*
What does living a purpose filled life have in common across all these disciplines? What does it give you or could give, if you took this path?
PASSION
Did you notice that I used the word passionate to describe performers and people involved in the work I do? Would you ever think Buddhists could be described as passionate, but they are. When you see all these different peoples’ faces light up when they talk about what they are doing, you not only see it – you feel it.
There is a fervor involved. All these people are completely committed, dedicated and devoted to their life path. Passion fuels their work and off sets long hours, difficult times and often low pay.
Purpose creates a heartfelt investment in what you do that fills your spirit.
ALIGNMENT
What is particularly telling about living with purpose is that it is usually a reflection of alignment between interest and talent. It’s not just a job, it’s a vocation that matches your personal skill set.
When your actions are aligned with your instincts and natural gifts, whether it’s with music, advocacy, or being devote, it fuels your dedication. The young boy that studied Buddhism to make his father happy is now a devoted Monk because he loves it. It means the internal sense of self is congruent with the external self. Being authentic, using your gifts and feeling that alignment makes what you do an essential part of yourself.
Purpose is fueled by internal and external consistency between interests and talents.
MEANING
When you’re doing things you’re passionate about, that are congruent with your interests and skills, it takes on profound meaning. You know this as soon as you watch, listen or interact with people leading a purpose filled life. What they are doing is important … it can change you.
I’ve been bowled over by the amount of discipline I’ve seen in action, the resolve and tenacity I’ve seen it takes to bring something meaningful to fruition. I see this with the court work I do, as well as in the artistic field.
This weekend, as I watched one of the best congo players in the world, Pedrito Martinez from Cuba, I was completely mesmerized. The meaning of his work was obvious – he is elevating the standard of music, creating new techniques and unifying cultures. He’s going where others haven’t been – just like we are in our court work.
Purpose is having such conviction in what you’re doing that it’s meaning is obvious.
JOY
Joy is the natural byproduct of living with purpose. When the monks talked about a basic tenant of Buddhism, to overcome suffering and find joy in everyday moments of life, I noticed theirs. Joy was obvious in their chanting, in their curiosity over art objects in my house, and with their delight in the crocuses in my yard.
Watching the musicians beam as they wooed the crowd with their songs was joy compounded by my own. Just being in that moment with them was overflowing joy.
Seeing the Judge and our staff applaud, laugh and share the joy of our client’s success is pure magic. And I’m awed that I get to feel it regularly with them.
There is palpable joy when people live their purpose.
There is a reason for finding your purpose in life – what it gives back to you is very tangible. It changes you. It fills you with passion, it creates alignment with your skills and interests, it provides deep satisfying meaning and it creates joy that is shared with everyone you touch. I observed all of this in the people I’ve been around lately, monks, musicians, singers, Judges, attorneys and my colleagues involved in social justice reform. All different, all living purpose filled lives.
Do you recognize yourself in this description? I hope so. I certainly do. If you’d like to have more of it for yourself, I can tell you any change you make to get there will be fully rewarded. If you’d like help to find clearer more satisfying purpose in your life, my Transformation Life Coaching and Counseling is designed to shine a light on your path. See my website www.spectrumtransformation.com for more information and reach out using my Free Consultation tab. I’d love to hear from you.
*I’m involved in social justice reform by helping run a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Diversion Court. We offer treatment and services, instead of incarceration, and expunge the charges. This not only saves and changes lives, it saves counties like our millions of dollars in incarceration and emergency services costs.
