Finding Your Purpose
You are here for a reason. And the world needs that reason, now more than ever. So, go ahead, find your purpose. Live it, with everything you have.
Pause for a moment and ask yourself “What am I living for?”
Yes, what are you living for? When you strip away the routines, the distractions, the pressures; when everything is quiet and all you’re left with is the echo of your own heartbeat, what do you feel? What purpose stirs you enough to make this short, fragile life worth everything you have to give?
If you’ve grappled with this question before, congratulations you’re human. And if you’ve ever avoided this question, be rest assured you’re in good company.
We’ve all been there. I used to have a serious allergic reaction anytime I faced the prospect of answering this question. It felt too big, too intense, as if it would sweep me up into its vastness and leave me stranded in the unknown. But there’s something inescapably raw about this question, something that demands to be answered if we’re ever to live fully. I know you feel it too — the longing to understand why you’re here and what, if anything, your life is meant to mean. Because without that sense of purpose, life can feel like wandering through a dense fog, following paths without truly seeing where they lead.
Finding purpose starts in a place many of us avoid: a deep, honest self-reflection. To face ourselves honestly is one of the most courageous things we can do, because it means peeling back the layers of who we think we are—the roles we play, the expectations we’ve absorbed, and perhaps the ideas others have projected onto us. It means looking into the mirror and asking, “What do I value? What fills me with a quiet sense of joy? What do I want to leave behind in this world?”
I invite you to take a moment to really think about it. Who are you when no one is watching? This isn’t a question of what you’re good at or what you’re told you should be or do. It’s about that inner light that glows brightest, the fire deep inside you that burns fervently when you’re doing something that feels profoundly right for you.
We all have unique strengths and passions, things that bring us to life in ways nothing else can. But they’re buried, often obscured by the noise of what society, family, or even our own fears tell us we should be doing. Purpose begins with the commitment to explore these hidden parts of ourselves, to be brave enough to ask, “What do I love? What drives me? What sets my soul on fire? Where do my natural talents lead me?”
I feel purpose – that defining sense of meaning and significance - is rarely about ourselves alone. It’s about stepping beyond our own wants and needs to contribute something meaningful, something that connects us to a larger whole. It might be found in the work we do, in the people we love, in a cause we believe in. Whatever form it takes, I think purpose often arises when we give of ourselves to something greater.
Think about the moments that have filled you with a sense of awe, when you felt connected to something beyond yourself. Perhaps it was a moment of kindness, a moment of creation, a moment when you felt that your life was adding something of value to the world. Those are the uncanny places where purpose tends to hide – those spaces where our lives intersect with the lives of others in a way that leaves a positive mark. It’s those places where we contribute a piece of ourselves to something that endures, something that matters.
To find our purpose in life, we must overcome fear and self-doubt. But if you’ve ever tried to do so, you know it’s not easy. That is why we must find the courage to silence the voice inside all of us that whispers, “Who are you to dream this big? What if you fail? What if you’re not good enough?”
Of course we will fail sometimes. We will stumble. There will be days when the weight of self-doubt feels like a heavy stone, dragging you down. But purpose isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence. It’s about being willing to walk through the fire of your fears, to embrace the discomfort of growth, and to keep going even when you’re not certain of the outcome.
One of the greatest acts of self-love is to silence those doubts, to choose courage over comfort, again and again. Purpose isn’t about waiting until you feel “ready” or “worthy.” It’s about showing up every day, despite the fears and despite the doubts, and believing that you are enough. Because you are. You are enough to make a difference, enough to leave a mark on this world, enough to pursue a life that feels truly yours.
But as we grow, so does our understanding of purpose. What might have felt deeply meaningful at one stage of life may shift as we gain new experiences and perspectives. And that’s okay. Purpose isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. It’s an ever-evolving compass, guiding us through different seasons of our lives.
Sometimes, we cling to a certain idea of purpose because we feel we must, even if it no longer resonates with who we are becoming. But part of the beauty of purpose is its flexibility. It can change. It can grow with you, and you can grow with it. You are allowed to let go of what no longer serves you, to shed old skins, and to discover new facets of what gives your life meaning.
It’s okay if you’re still finding your way. It’s okay if your purpose today isn’t the same as it was yesterday. Life is a series of transformations, and purpose shifts with us, moulding itself to the shape of who we are in this moment.
So, how do you find your purpose in life? Where do you begin? Here are some ideas that I believe might help you uncover the layers of who you are and what you’re meant to bring into this world.
What excites you? Make a list of things that bring you genuine joy, the kind of activities that make time slip away. Your passions often point toward your purpose.
When do you feel most at peace? Think about the moments in life when you’ve felt content and connected. These moments reveal what you value most.
What have you overcome? Sometimes, our greatest struggles contain the seeds of our purpose. How could your experiences, even the painful ones, be used to help others?
What do others thank you for? Purpose often resides in the ways we naturally contribute to those around us. Think about the things people admire in you or come to you for help with.
Imagine a life without limitations. If there were no restrictions—time, money, approval—what would you dedicate yourself to? If there were no boundaries, what would you dream about?
Reflect daily. Purpose is a living, breathing thing. Take a few minutes each day to journal or simply sit in silence, reflecting on where you feel called to go and grow.
Living with purpose is about more than personal success or achievement. It’s about knowing that each day, you’re contributing to something meaningful, something beyond yourself. There is a quiet fulfillment in this—a joy that doesn’t depend on recognition, money, or accolades. It’s a joy rooted in the knowledge that your life matters, that your actions ripple out into the world in ways you may never see, but that still make a difference.
And that’s what I want for you. I want you to feel that sense of fulfillment, that grounding in something real and deep. I want you to wake up with a sense of direction, to feel that your life isn’t just a series of days ticking by, but a journey with purpose and meaning.
So, take a deep breath. Allow yourself to wonder, to dream, to reach within and ask, “What am I here for?” Don’t rush the answer. Let it unfold, let it grow with you. Because somewhere within you, there’s a purpose waiting, a reason that makes all the fears and doubts and challenges worth it. You just need to find it.
Your life is a gift. And it’s up to you to find what makes that gift unique and share it with the world. Don’t let the days slip by without discovering what makes your heart beat a little faster, what brings a quiet joy into your soul, what lights the way when everything else feels dark.
You are here for a reason. And the world needs that reason, now more than ever. So, go ahead, find your purpose. Live it, with everything you have.