Which Comes First: Purpose or Adventure?

Many bloggers are reposting their most popular posts during the last two weeks of the year. I tend to cheer for the underdog, so I’m going to repost posts that weren’t my most popular, but I think they deserve another chance—this is a repost from this past spring.

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If you are thinking about goals and/or resolutions for the New Year… consider what makes you come fully alive. 

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Our purpose, my purpose, your purpose … there’s been many conversations and teachings about purpose. For the most part, it’s been a good thing. It helped me look beyond myself and my circumstances. I found comfort knowing that this crazy, messy life might have a purpose.

But for a time, I became bogged down in finding my purpose. I was still. I waited. I stalled my life. I looked for a magic formula, a certain event, person or cause that would yell purpose to me.

I started looking at it differently after reading this quote by theologian Howard Thurman …

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.”

I’d been going about the process backwards — like going down a one-way street the wrong way. I thought when I find my purpose then I would really come alive and my life would turn into an exciting adventure. Instead I needed to come alive … then a life of purpose and adventure would follow.

My focus shifted from finding my purpose (heavy and somber)
to living life fully alive (energy and fun).

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photo © 2009 Hollywata | more info (via: Wylio)

 

To live fully alive, I needed to know what makes me come alive. For that, I needed to know myself. Again I was still. But this time being still was different. Instead of stalling life, I was seeking life.

“Be still and listen deeply for the truth that is carried on its winds — information about the past, wisdom about the present, and direction for the future.” – Elizabeth Lesser

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Who was I in the past? The little girl always on the move. So I knew moving was part of being fully alive. Walks, hikes, bike rides and running became part of my days.

Who was I in the present? A women in her forties rediscovering life with a new normal. Books, experiences, letting go and learning new things … all were needed to discover the new me.

Who will I be in the future? Time will tell. But one thing I know is a lot of the future me will be determined by what I do today.

Through this process I’ve learned to live fully alive …
Here.
Now.
Today.
This moment.

By living with intention, I find peace, joy and hope in many ‘ordinary’ moments. And I find a more fulfilling life of adventure then I ever dreamed possible.

From time to time, I allow old habits to creep back in. I get stressed. Insecurities crop up. I again wonder what my purpose is. At moments like that … I need to ask what makes me come alive, and go do it because adventure will happen as I fully embrace each day.

Each of us is unique and what helps us live fully alive is varied. The world needs YOU to be fully alive. Pause, be still, learn and then do it!

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Do you live fully alive, so that your life is an adventure worth living? If not, today is a good day to start …