5 Benefits of Knowing and Pursuing Your Purpose

Is there any benefit from knowing why we’re here and following it through? There certainly is. And ignorance could be quite costly. If we don't know why we're here, how can we achieve it? And if we don't achieve it, isn't that a failed life? Here are 5 benefits of knowing and pursuing your purpose. You would be wise to get started.

(1) Planning and Preparation
Knowing your purpose gives you clarity and takes away confusion. You know where you’re going so you can determine how to get there. Can you think of any times in your life when you didn’t know what you wanted and so you tried every thing? You may have been high on activity but low on achievement. And frustration was all you got. With a clear goal you can plan your life and be more prepared. Preparation increases the chance of success.

(2) Decision making and prioritizing
With so much to do and so little time, a clear purpose means you know what's important and what’s not. You can tell which friendships and pastimes aren’t taking you anywhere. You can resist going with the flow if it isn’t where you want to go!

(3) Efficiency
You get more out of life because you're doing what you were made to do and turning down the rest. Your talents and abilities, your experiences and opportunities, even your trials all work to equip you for your purpose. You’re the man or woman for the job. And you’ve got what it takes!

(4) Contentment and character
You don't envy others because you know you have the life that’s best for you. There’s a time and place for everything. As you keep preparing and seizing opportunities you’ll get where you’re going in good time. And you’ll learn character on the way.

(5) Fulfilment
You'll have no regrets because you did it all! You enjoy a sense of fulfilment as you accomplish your life's purpose.

Christian Life Coaching Article - Finding Life's Purpose

What is your idea of a successful life? Most people would say it has something to do with achieving your life’s goals. Well, unfortunately, most people do not have life’s goals to begin with, let alone being anywhere near achieving them. I think that to call anything successful we must first take into consideration its purpose. What was it made for, or what was it designed to achieve? In its present state, has it fulfilled the purpose of its creation, or is it on the path to this end?

Going back to the original question, a life can therefore only truly be called successful when it fulfils the reason for its creation. Please note, this is not a self-assumed purpose or a self-appointed agenda. It is the purpose and agenda of the Creator. In the pursuit of life’s purpose let us therefore ask ourselves a few questions, namely:
(1) Who created me?
(2) How can I reach this Creator to enquire of my life’s purpose?
(3) If I enquire, will the Creator respond?
(4) Has the Creator ever communicated anything concerning life’s purpose to any man before?
(5) Where can I find this information? Is it relevant to my life?

The answers to these questions should no doubt start you off on a journey of discovery.

A Merry Heart Walk

It has been said that "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine." A merry heart starts with a decision to find good in every situation, to be thankful for what you do have, to forgive others because you need to be forgiven. Bitterness on the other hand, is rottenness to the bones, but a merry heart will do you good from the inside out.

What is your situation today? Have you been feeling down? Think of what you do have going for you. Think of all the good times you've had, and how you can still enjoy more. Are you hurt by any one? Life is so much better when we forgive and let go. What good could it possibly do to keep grudges or rehash hurts? I once read the following statement by Carrie Fisher: Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die! You don't need resentment. Throw it out today. You don't have to have good coming your way to get merry! Just maintain an attitude of gratitude for what you do have, such as eyesight, a family, a happy childhood, food, clothing and shelter, a source of income, or wisdom gathered from bad experiences! If you look hard enough you'll find a lot you take for granted. Why not say a prayer of thanks instead.

The more you think on your blessings (we all do have them), the more grateful you'll become. Then, I challenge you to start singing! And if you wouldn't mind, get up and start dancing! In fact, go the whole hog by doing what I call a Merry Heart Walk! Step outside and go for a walk, all the while singing as you recount your blessings. A Merry Heart Walk is a double whammy you know! The merriness and the exercise will do your heart much good. I even hear it could remove a few wrinkles. Try it today!

Action
Need some words for your Merry Heart song? Get a sheet of paper and start listing:
(a) All the things you have that others don’t
(b) All the things you can do that others can’t
(c) All the achievements you have that others haven’t
(d) All the good times you can remember; some people can’t remember
(e) All the bad things you can think of that haven’t happened to you

You should have quite a long song by now! Have you found your trainers? Enjoy your Merry Heart Walk!


Copyright Oma Edoja © 2008