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What Is Purpose? By Jim
L. White, PhD In the book, “Atlas
Shrugged,” one of Ayn Rand’s main characters is is asked, “What is the
most depraved kind of human being? His answer would likely
surprise most people, since he doesn’t suggest a murderer, or rapist,
or other sex offender. His answer is, “The man without a purpose.” When asked about why she
suggested this as opposed to the other possibilities, Rand replied,
“Because that aspect of their character lies at the root of the cause
of all the evils which you mentioned in your question. Sadism,
dictatorship, or any form of evil, is the consequence of a man’s
evasion of reality. "A consequence of his
failure to think. The man without a purpose is a man who drifts at the
mercy of random feelings or unidentified urges, and is capable of any
evil, because he is totally out of control of his own life. In order to
have control of your life, you have to have a purpose -- a productive
purpose.”
Randy Gage, Accept Your Abundance Every once in a while you
meet people who are inspired by their work. They exude enthusiasm. They
appear to care genuinely about what they are doing, the people with
whom they work, and the people they serve. They express a joy that
seems to come from deep within; it’s not forced or superficial. You
sense their genuineness and authenticity, and you don’t believe they
are playing a role. When you meet such a
person, you realize that their work is consistent with their purpose.
You might say they are working “on purpose”. They know why they are
here and they know the difference they want to make. This clarity and focus on
their purpose makes them stand out from most of the people you meet. Who
Are These People? They could be anyone—a
teacher, parent, executive, artist, sales clerk, mechanic, carpenter,
social worker, or administrative assistant. It doesn’t matter what
they do. What does matter is that they do it from a central purpose.
Job satisfaction and fulfillment come from the inside out, not the
other way around. For example, two teachers
appear to be doing the same thing, yet one has a job, while the other
has an impact on children’s lives. One feels stressed and
burned out much of the time, while the other feels excited, energized
and challenged. The difference between
them is that one teacher is fulfilling his or her purpose, while the
other is doing a job. Take 3 minutes now and
think of people in your life who seem to love what they do. Write down
the names, (or jobs if you don’t know the names), of three of these
people. Next, describe what it is
about them that makes you think they know and live their purpose. What
the Dictionary Says About Purpose Merriam-Webster’s
Collegiate Dictionary defines purpose this way: “1 purpose a :
something set up as an object or end to be attained : intention ; b :
resolution, determination.." A Definition Mission, vision,
vocation, calling, bliss, meaning, passion, these are just some of the
words that convey our human need to identify and express purpose. Ultimately, finding your
purpose is a spiritual quest. It represents your ability to connect
with something greater than yourself. The question,” Why Am I
Here?” goes much deeper than what career is best for you. This workbook will help
you look inside yourself for your answers, which is the only place you
will ever find them. Passion When you break the word
”passion” down, you will find the essence of what purpose is about.
PASS-I-ON. Isn’t that what you want to do? Do you want to make a
difference in the lives of others and leave something of yourself
behind? None of us want to think
that we have lived and died without leaving any trace of our uniqueness
behind. The word “passion” is
also used because it represents feeling. To fulfill a passion is to
express deeply held feelings. Passion is not an intellectual or
rational brain function; passion comes from the heart. It is a calling.
You don’t think about
what your purpose is, you feel or know your purpose. You don’t figure
it out, you experience it. Passion implies desire.
And your passion, if given a voice, will arouse you to take action.
Once known, it demands to be fulfilled. If we fail to listen, we suffer
stress, fatigue, frustration, or dissatisfaction. Passion is compelling; it
creates an inner sense of urgency, quite distinct from the external
events of our lives. Passion allows us to be truly alive. Worksheet Now that you have thought
about people you know who are “Working On Purpose” and have read the
ideas of others on purpose, what are your ideas about purpose? What words or phrases
would you use to describe it? Symbolizing
Passion You might think of a
passion as a burning desire, which is one reason why a flame is often
used as a symbol. Sometimes it is easier to symbolize your passion than
to try to describe it in words. Symbols are often richer
and more vivid than words. They also speak to the right side of the
brain, which is where you experience passion. There are many reasons
for choosing the flame as a symbol. A fire gives off warmth.
When you are around people who are living their passion, you notice
that they are warm. You can feel them reach out to their work and the
people around them. A flame is also bright
with light. When you live your life from your passion, you too are a
source of light. Throughout the ages,
light has meant truth, wisdom, and knowledge. All of these are
appropriate to a life lived with purpose. To follow your passion is to
live your truth, as you understand and experience it from the inside. Many people try to live
the truth of their parents, friends, or images that they see in the
media. Living someone else’s truth can only lead to dissatisfaction. A fire is consuming and
powerful. When you know and live your passion, you find that it can
consume you. Ironically, that’s the goal. George Bernard Shaw
expressed it well when he said, “I want to be thoroughly used up
when I die...life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid
torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn
as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations”. And your passion is
powerful! What is more powerful than the person who has a mission in
life?
The depth of their vision
inspired and empowered others. Have you ever stared into
the flame of a candle or a fire? You can easily become hypnotized by
its flicker. After a time, everything
else disappears from your awareness and you seem to merge with the
flame. This unity, or sense of
oneness, is a reminder of the spiritual experience in which you are no
longer separate from the world. When you are in complete alignment with
your purpose, you will have a similar experience of oneness. If the flame goes out, if
you feel disconnected from your passion--you’ll probably say you feel
“burned out”. You can experience stress from time to time because you
become sloppy in your living habits. But if you are burned
out, you are probably living from the outside-in. When that happens,
your aliveness, your life force, feels snuffed out--dead. However, when you act
consistently with your purpose, it’s like adding fuel to the fire! As
you work through this book, be aware of pictures, images or symbols
that come to mind for your passion. You will be asked to
create a symbol for your purpose before you finish this workbook. Purpose or Meaning? Is there a difference
between these two words? Yes, there is an important distinction. You can have a meaningful
life, whether or not you believe you have a purpose. Meaning is the
significance that you attach to an event, person, or situation. You can
have meaningful work, no matter what you do, if you decide to assign
meaning. To ascribe meaning is a
rational left-brain act. A well known story makes this distinction
clear: Two stone masons were at work when a visitor came upon them. Curious, the visitor
asked the first one, “What are you doing?” He replied, “Cutting a
stone.” Then the visitor asked
the second stone cutter the same question. The stone mason’s reply was,
“I’m building a cathedral.” The second man had given
meaning to his work. Purpose is quite different. You do not bestow
purpose. It is something that flows from deep within you. Purpose is the potential
that you hold, much as the acorn holds the potential for an oak tree.
Purpose is what you’re called to do. It is a part of your uniqueness.
Purpose is your expression of the divine. ~ ~
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 Related
Talent Development Resources pages:More Jim White articles Achievement / Vocation articles Personal Development & Achievement Resources change / personal growth change / coaching / self-help articles creativity enhancement articles ~ ~ ~ |
 Life on Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life by Brad Swift [Paperback] [MP3 Download] [Courses etc: Life On Purpose Institute] ~ ~      
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Gandhi,
Joan of Arc, and Martin Luther King were empowered by their vision. 