I’ve been extraordinarily lucky in the sense that I was driven to find my purpose only to discover that in the course of looking for it I was already doing it. In my life’s path as a healer / shaman with some dabbling in astrology I have found people are already fulfilling their purpose but are often not conscious that they are doing so. Becoming aware of one’s life purpose can be a spectacular event (very rare) or a slow unfolding process. Even when there is a spectacular event it is often followed by a slower unfolding process to discover the nuances of the purpose and how it is applied.

Defining purpose is important because we live within the technology of words (a seamless technology that is often invisible to most humans unless we reflect upon it). Once our purpose is defined one can access memories that support how we have been fulfilling said purpose.

Purpose belongs in two worlds — the finite and the infinite. Purpose in the infinite world is filled with aims. An aim is a goal that is never completed and is a reward in and of itself. For example — my aim is to relieve suffering. Since suffering is part of the human condition (and has its own higher purpose) suffering can never end totally, once and for all. The act of helping to relieve the suffering becomes a joy unto itself. Purpose in the finite world is filled with goals. Goals have a beginning middle and end and are self explanatory.

The other part of my luck was my father and my high school English teacher. I overheard my mother and father talking one evening. My mother was suggesting that they push me into Little League. My father asked my mom if I liked baseball. She said no. “Then we shouldn’t push him into it or into anything. Just let him explore. When he finds something he wants to do then we’ll support him in that,” he said.

My HS English teacher with whom I am friends with to this day wrote on the blackboard in 10th grade: “Learn for The Sake of Learning” Not just learning from books, but from all experiences. Life learning is a tool on my path. With learning for its own sake comes challenges and changes in the path.

There is purpose and then there is what we do with purpose.

I found your piece refreshing and a good reminder that I am still working effectively on purpose.

Thanks.