Flowing toward Purpose

Reasons for Hope (3 of 11)

Apr 29, 2022

A Big Word

In the first article of this series, I asked you to be open to the possibility of hope. Hope can come from many directions and in many forms. For me much hope comes from knowing that my existence holds purpose, that I have had and do have a purpose for being here every day. What about you? Do you feel connected to your purpose or purposes?

Purpose is one of those big existential words. On some level the idea of it seems to always be present either humming in the background or singing or screaming in the foreground. That is likely for a reason.

As I understand it now, every cell, every molecule, every subatomic bit (or Planck if you are into quantum physics), every fiber of our being which makes up our bodies or anything at all holds never-ending consciousness. And each bit of that never-ending consciousness is serving its purpose. So at the micro-level purpose is secured (Roberts). The Divine that is all and is in all always knows its purpose. That aspect of the Divine that is You doesn’t question this at all; in fact, it is constantly seeking to guide you (small y) to know and fulfill your purpose. Have you thought about it like that?

Think of a moment where you knew you were in the right place at the right time for a reason. Perhaps you pulled a child out of the street just in time. Perhaps you made that phone call just on an urge and the recipient said how perfectly timed it was, because they really needed you at that moment. Perhaps your own creativity contributed to something magical or beautiful in the world. When those moments in life happen and you NOTICE them, a life of purpose seems quite possible and quite believable.

What if you were in that flow all of the time? What if every moment of every day you were exactly where you were meant to be? What if every encounter you had with every person or animal or nature itself mattered in some way? Wouldn’t there be much hope in that?

Purpose with a Capital “P”

When I was in my teens and 20’s, I remember looking desperately for my Purpose (capital P). In my mind there was some perfect purpose I was born for but for some cruel reason it was hidden from me. I worried I might waste my whole life trying to discover my purpose without actually finding it. And somehow, this purpose was mysteriously only ONE THING. If I didn’t find it, I was doomed. In some ways in my mind this mystery purpose was also connected to finding a career. Somehow I needed to find out what career I was meant to have so that I could fulfill my Purpose.

Wendy, Brenda (me), and Marsha in the days of searching for purpose. 1986.

In my case, I did find a fulfilling career as a high school English and French teacher. And I believe that through the role of teacher I made a difference in many people’s lives. I served a noble purpose educating youth, providing guidance and support through their growing years, and generally being a positive adult model. Does that mean that once I was no longer teaching my life’s purpose was over? No. Does it mean that choosing not to teach means I am straying from my purpose? Not in the least. I am in the flow of my purpose more than ever.

Brenda teaching AP Literature at Hong Kong International School, Hong Kong. Class of 2016.

However, there are plenty of people who don’t find fulfilling careers or who experience big gaps in such fulfillment. Is that a life without Purpose? Not at all. The thing is your You (big Y) doesn’t care much about your job or career. It’s not the career that is serving a purpose, it is the essence of YOU.

Impulses toward Purpose

English language volunteers and graduates of the North Korean Women’s Refugee center. 2014.

“You do not have to fight to trust the thrust of your own life. That thrust is always meant to lead you to your own best fulfillment in a way that will benefit the species, as well. When you trust the thrust of your own life, you are always supported.”
-Seth from Dreams, “Evolution,” and Value Fulfillment

What if we are actually created with the impulses we need to thrust us toward our purposes? As a matter of fact, we all are. Think of it this way, even when you (small y) are unaware of your purpose, Big You know. Life itself is steering you. Those childhood fantasies, those hopes and dreams are thrusting you toward purpose. Those childhood interests, passions and skills? Also helpful. In fact, many people who are uncertain or lost often find clues in the childhood self. For me, I can see now that my interest in creative writing as a six year old is connected to my present passion for writing. And that seven-year-old me who loved to play the piano thrust me toward a fascination with sound, vibration, frequency and playing a sound healing gong. My fascination with teaching language steered me to volunteer to teach English to North Korean Women Refugees for a year, (one of the most fulfilling activities ever). There has been a certain underlying flow to my life. When I ride the wave, I end up serving a purpose whether or not I realize it at the time.

purpose with a little “p”

But there’s more. Who says there is one singular Life Purpose to discover? What if there are thousands of purposes? What if every day presents the potential for fulfilling purpose? What if the spare change you gave to the homeless person got them through another day? What if the hugs and kisses you gave your child created a safe and loving environment for another human to thrive? What if the words and gestures of comfort at the water cooler were exactly what your co-worker needed? What if that story you shared on a whim changed another person’s perspective just enough? What if your very presence was enough to bring solace, comfort, or caring to another human being or pet? Once I became aware that having purpose could be connected to even the simplest things, the pressure of Purpose (with a capital P) dissipated. I became so excited every time I noticed one of these happy coincidences or synchronicities.

My son Adam was changed forever by the acceptance of strangers at a Pride event. 2018.

What if you are exactly where you are meant to be?

I belong to a few spiritual groups now (called Power of 8 and fashioned after Lynn McTaggart’s work to understand the healing power of intention). We have found great purpose in being there for one another through thick and thin (even if it is often in spirit more than the flesh). At the conclusion of each weekly session we read a prayer attributed to Teresa of Avila from the 16th century. “May I trust that I am exactly where I am meant to be” is one of the lines. It is a powerful line that acknowledges that no matter the circumstance the ultimate thrust of your life is toward the good and toward purpose. This has almost become a mantra for me. If I am exactly where I am meant to be it means I can be at peace in the moment - be it standing on a mountaintop or grieving a loved one.

2-steps to serving a purpose in any moment

Ask God or All that Is, “Show me the highest opportunity to serve in this moment.”
Claim the Divine/the Light where darkness is, knowing that light always vanquishes darkness.

Hope in Purpose

What’s your purpose at this moment? What’s your Purpose? Can you trust that Life itself and your own best impulses are always flowing toward purpose? If you can, you have much reason to hope. Because if You have been born with thousands of opportunities to serve a purpose, then so has everyone else on this planet. And if everyone is here for a reason, then we have every reason for hope. We are indeed in good hands. Our very Selves from the inside out Knows who we are, what we are, and how we serve.

I am here for a reason. And that brings me hope. And you are here for a reason. And you. And you. And you. And that brings me more hope. It’s exciting to imagine each individual existing for a purpose or many purposes. It is even more exciting to imagine that together we are here for reasons more vast than we could ever dream of.

Life Cheat Sheets

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