Firstly, I found out I’ve been featured in the Guardian!!!! The Guardian is a significant source of my daily inspiration and I can hardly believe that this blog has made its way there, especially since the website has 28 million readers a month!!! Thank you Michelle for contacting me!
For a while I’ve been wanting to write about finding your purpose, a conversation recently spurred me on. My mum, a traditionalist to the core, said something to me while we were walking through Haldon Forest, she said that the thing she most admired in me was the fact that I had a purpose driven life. From my mum, that is quite the compliment! It has taken me a few days to really examine what that means and whether I really do have a purpose.
Before I began this downshifting journey I really struggled. I had letters after my name, a good job that friend’s admired, a steady income, but I was lacking, really lacking in all that mattered. One day and one week was not significantly different to the last. I didnt’ feel like I was contributing, challenging myself, living the life that I wanted to lead. Yes I could drop £50 or £60 or even £100 over a weekend if I so chose, but there was no purpose to my thoughts, actions or choices. Somewhere along the way I thought about the choices I was making and really realized they were choices, which means I had no one to blame but myself. Somewhere along the way I realized things could and should be different, I began to look at what my purpose really is.
So I made lists, I found that what meant the most to me was:
- Living on as little as possible so that I could give more
- Living off the land where/when possible
- Learning about cooking, baking, planting, growing and farming
- Adoption, caring for orphans
- Treading lightly on this amazing planet of ours
- Strengthening my faith
- Serving and helping others
- Volunteering in areas I feel passionate about like youth clubs, food banks, homeless shelters, refuges
- Finding the strength to help those in need
- Simplicity
- Changing from type A to type B personality
- Leaving consumer culture behind to create my own culture, a simple one with people at the heart of the choices I make
- Continuing to grow, change and learn more
- Finding a new career
This is a journey and I may never fully get where I want to be, but I’m determined to have a life filled with choices highlighting my purpose. I’m determined to live simply now and in the future, I’m determined to make hard choices to accomplish those things people think are unattainable! I’d love to hear from you. Do you have a purpose and how did you find it? Is your life purpose driven? What inspires you to change?
In the next post I hope to share what worked for me once I found my purpose in life. All these changes are not easy, but they are more joyous for me than simply following the herd.
“A dream without goals is no more than a wish”
What wonderful news – a mention in the Guardian is fab; I bet you are elated!
I love your blog, I feel instantly calmer when I arrive; I think it’s the lovely header and blue colour.
Looking at our values is one of the most important things we can do; then we can start to weed out the things that no longer nourish us. I love your list; thanks for sharing and congrats on the Guardian mention!
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FEATURE!
As for a purpose driven life, I agree. It isn’t easy to always be thinking about plastic or new things, or being eco-friendly, but it’s worth it.
It makes me feel better in the end. And not for the purpose of bragging to others (which some do). I just do it for me.
I love your list, I think it’s so much easier to make big and small decisions if you actually know what your goals in life are. If something doesn’t help you reach one of your goals, then perhaps you shouldn’t do it, and it is really helpful to have your goals written down. I don’t just mean financial goals, but who you want to be as a person, what you want to accomplish etc.
FT – what I love about your posts is that they get me thinking. Thank you.
I am still struggling identifying my purpose I think. If I stop and consider it is about making those around me happy and feel loved. My children, my husband, my family and friends of course, but also on a wider level my colleagues, neighbours and anyone I meet during the day. I am that odd lady that you’ll meet in the supermarket and you’ll wonder why she is smiling at you….I think there is so much unkindness in the world that I want to do my bit and share a smile.
Does that sound a bit sickening? Probably yes – but I do mean it honestly!
I’ve also found myself on a journey parenting a special needs child which takes a lot of my energies…..although it is important to me to carry on as your average family and not be defined by this. So to some extent my purpose is keeping things normal.
Thanks again FT – I’ll be mulling this one over this evening xxx
Have you read The Purpose Driven Life? You might like….and congrats on the mention!
the guardian!? that is so exciting!! many, many congratulations
also, this is very apt and timely (as many of your posts are, FT!) i am thinking a lot lately about purpose and plans…i have been drawing up my own list actually, of big dreams/goals, and the steps i can take to reach them, of the things i can do RIGHT NOW to be living according to my passions and purpse…
i am really looking forward to reading your follow-up article
I told you so! I think I mentioned some time ago about writing in a newspaper … now you have been written about!
Well done!
congratulations you deserve it. Although we are of different faiths you inspire me through your spirituality and the way you approach your life.
Jen
If I wrote my list it would be very similar to yours – apart from the adoption of a child (I have two grown sons) and the changing job thing (I am really happy in my job).
Well done on the Guardian thing!
Huge congrats on the mention in the Guardian! Your list is very inspiring. I especially like ‘Simplicity’. I would like life to be full and rewarding, but simple, not full of rushing around, it’s too stressful. One reason why when I return to work in just over 1 week it’ll be a part-time 2 days a week job.
Lisa x
You have inspired me to change! I love your blog and the way it makes me think about how I live my life. I’ve been an avid reader for a long time but not commented before, but you should know that you inspire people.
I’ve got an interview today to be a volunteer mentor for children who’s parents are drug addicts. Looking forward to a new challenge in my life. Sorrel x
love love the one about leaving consumer culture to create your OWN culture. reasonates very strongly with me.
I believe we are all created beings and, as such, have a unique purpose. By going to the creator we can find why we were created. Your list is a great start with many clues to your purpose. Go a little deeper as to why these things excite you and you will begin to discover your real calling.
tom wolf
Congratulations! What a wonderful recognition of the changes you’ve wrought in your life and shared through your blog.
A big congrats to you, you deserve the mention, you inspire others,
Gill in Canada
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